Clemson’s linebacker corps is heading into the Pinstripe Bowl with a new look - and a lot of new responsibility. When the Tigers take the field at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27 to face a physical Penn State squad, they’ll be without one of their defensive anchors, and the ripple effects are significant.
Wade Woodaz, Clemson’s vocal leader and second-leading tackler, is out with an injury suffered in the regular-season finale against South Carolina. That’s a big blow - not just in terms of production, but in communication and leadership.
Woodaz wasn’t just a stat-sheet guy (77 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, four pass breakups), he was the quarterback of the defense. His absence leaves a void that can’t be filled by one player alone.
Add in the departures of Jamal Anderson Jr. (redshirted, then hit the portal) and Dee Crayton (79 snaps this season, also transferring), and suddenly Clemson’s linebacker room is thin on experience and depth. Against a Penn State team that leans heavily on the run - and boasts a 1,300-yard rusher in Kaytron Allen - that’s a tough spot to be in.
But this is where Sammy Brown steps in.
The freshman phenom has already made a name for himself in his first year, earning All-ACC First Team honors and leading the Tigers in tackles (92), defensive snaps (656), and splash plays across the board: 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and seven pass breakups. With Woodaz sidelined, Brown now becomes the heart of the linebacker unit - and the voice in the middle.
“It’s been a unique opportunity for me to step up,” Brown said this week. “I’m really confident in the guys stepping into those roles.”
Those guys include Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander and redshirt junior Kobe McCloud, both of whom are expected to see heavy action - though who starts alongside Brown hasn’t been officially announced. The depth chart remains under wraps, but either way, Clemson will need both players to be ready for extended snaps.
Alexander, who transferred in from Alabama earlier this year, brings pedigree and potential. A former five-star recruit and high school teammate of Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods, Alexander has seen limited action this season (171 snaps, two starts), but flashed in key moments - including a five-tackle, one-sack performance against Florida State and a seven-tackle game at Louisville.
Now, with Woodaz out, Alexander sees a clear opportunity.
“I’m ready to go out there and execute whatever coach asks me to do,” he said. “Each and every game, I just go out there and give my best.”
More than just filling a stat line, Alexander has been studying the leadership traits of Woodaz and Brown - the communication, the presence, the way they organize the defense. It’s not something he’s had to do before, playing primarily outside linebacker, but it’s a role he’s growing into.
“Watching Wade - very vocal leader. Sammy as well,” Alexander said. “Just seeing how they take control of the defense, that’s something I’ve tried to learn from.”
Brown, for his part, has taken notice of Alexander’s development.
“He’s taken small steps throughout the season and kept improving,” Brown said. “At the beginning of the year, he was a workhorse - doing the dirty work, pushing the group. It’s been really encouraging to see him grow, and I’m excited to watch him play.”
Behind that top trio, Clemson’s depth will be tested. McCloud has logged 173 snaps this season, posting 21 tackles, a sack, and four pass breakups.
He’s the most experienced of the remaining group. Also in the mix: redshirt freshman Drew Woodaz (Wade’s younger brother), freshman Logan Anderson, CJ Kubah Taylor, and redshirt junior walk-on Fletcher Cothran.
Expect a committee approach, especially if Penn State tries to wear Clemson down with its ground game.
For Alexander, this bowl game isn’t about proving anything - it’s about doing his job and earning the trust of his teammates.
“A lot of my teammates trust me. A lot of coaches trust me,” he said. “I just want to go out there, have fun, and execute.”
Still, there’s no denying what’s at stake. With Woodaz graduating, this is a chance for Alexander to position himself as a key piece of Clemson’s linebacker core in 2026. A strong showing in New York could go a long way in shaping the next era of the Tigers’ defense.
Kickoff for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl is set for noon ET on ABC. And when the Tigers take the field, all eyes will be on a linebacker unit that’s been reshuffled, retooled - and ready for a test.