Clemson always has a great linebacker or two on its roster. From former player turned coach Ben Boulware to the most recent NFL draftee Barrett Carter.
That trend looks to continue with talent like ACC Rookie of the Year Sammy Brown, and Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander. The true leader of the room though is a player that is not talked about enough, Wade Woodaz.
The senior linebacker has quietly been a key piece of the Tiger defense over the last three years. He began his career as a safety before being moved to linebacker. In his sophomore year, he played behind two future NFL draft picks in Jeremiah Trotter Jr, and Carter. Woodaz still found his way onto the field that year as an outside linebacker/over-hang safety in certain packages. This allowed his versatility to really shine.
Woodaz finished his sophomore season with 31 total tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown in 13 games. The next year he became a starting inside linebacker alongside Carter.
During the 2024 season, Carter received the All-conference and All-American nods but Woodaz led the team in tackles. Woodaz also finished with 10 tackles for loss and three sacks to Carters’ 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Yet while both Carter and Brown received national recognition that is well deserved, Woodaz continues to be rarely mentioned in the national conversation.
He did receive First-Team All-ACC mentions from Sports Info Solutions and Phil Steele. It just feels as if the senior linebacker deserves more credit for what he’s displayed on the field. Entering the 2025 season, all the attention is going to the players around him.
Names like Peter Woods, TJ Parker, Brown, Avieon Terrell, and even newcomers like Will Heldt have been mentioned well before Woodaz. The success of the defense this season will heavily depend on the performance and leadership of Woodaz though.
He is unquestionably the leader of the linebacker room and of the defense overall. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen has made it known the linebackers are the most important group in his defense.
If the Tigers’ defense is going to improve and get back to championship form, it will be off the back of Woodaz. When Woodaz plays to his own expectations, this defense is scary to go against.