CLEMSON — Wade Woodard found himself in a tough spot last year ahead of the Gator Bowl against Kentucky.
After Jeremiah Trotter Jr. declared for the NFL Draft, the Florida native was instructed to play middle linebacker for the first time. After playing exclusively as an outside linebacker his first two seasons with Clemson University football, he got the opportunity to play middle linebacker for the first time during the season leading up to the bowl game.
“It was my first game in a new position so it felt weird, but I just felt free,” said Woodard, who recorded four tackles, including one for a loss, in the Tigers' win. “I was just having fun running around like I would in a normal game. I wasn't nervous at all, I just went into the game thinking I was going to run around and hit guys.”
Now, the third-year student is looking to master the position as a full-time starter. He dominated center throughout spring practice and it has become one of his favorite positions.
Woodard said he can rotate through all three linebacker positions, but the middle position allows him to act as the defensive quarterback, relay plays to teammates and adjust the defensive line when needed, and play closer to the field. The other outside linebacker positions play closer to the perimeter and have different roles in pass coverage and run support.
Woodards can also provide leadership by playing center. He started six games over his first two seasons and recorded 48 tackles (11.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks), two pass deflections and two interceptions in 27 games. He has always been a vocal leader since his days at Jesuit High School in Florida. But he was unable to provide that leadership during game time because of the players ahead of him in the depth chart.
“Knowledge-wise, he's always had abilities way beyond his years, but it takes practice to get into the (middle) position,” defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin said. “He's always been a vocal leader, so he's very comfortable being up front and hasn't had any mental mistakes or issues in that regard.”
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Now, after two years of experience and one spring season, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker has earned the respect of his coaching staff and teammates and is confident in his ability to command a defense. With Trotter's departure, Woodas will play in Clemson's 4-2-5 system with Barrett Carter this season, which could be a breakout year for the Florida native.
“We know what kind of players Barrett and Woodards are,” coach Dabo Swinney said, “and we're really confident in both of them.”
Woodards showed flashes of his development at middle linebacker in Clemson's spring game, recording a team-high eight tackles. He showed the intelligence, size and athleticism to quickly track the ball and set up plays. His development will not only help a unit that ranked eighth in total defense in college football last season, but will also be important in replacing Trotter, who led the team in tackles and was tied for most sacks.
“With Trotter's departure, he definitely had to step up, but he's embraced that role and grown and really shown he can be an integral piece and a key leader for this team,” Carter said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson University sports for the Greenville News and the USA Today Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter): @DerrianCarter00
