Clemson’s Defense Faces Turning Point Ahead of Pinstripe Bowl Clash with Penn State
Wade Woodaz gave everything he had - and then some - in Clemson’s gritty win over South Carolina. The senior linebacker, known for his relentless motor, quite literally left it all on the field.
In a full-speed chase after Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers, Woodaz dove shoulder-first to bring down the powerful QB, sacrificing his body to stop a potential game-breaking run. His reward?
A dislocated shoulder and a trip to the sideline with his arm in a sling.
But even after that, Woodaz wasn’t done. A few plays later, he extended his 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame to swat away a fourth-down pass - a moment of sheer willpower that defined his final snaps in a Clemson uniform. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen couldn’t have asked for more.
Now, with Woodaz sidelined and the Tigers heading into the Dec. 27 Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State, the torch has to be passed. And Allen made it clear - it’s time for the rest of the defense to match that level of sacrifice.
“We need to do that for him,” Allen said. “Because he gave us everything he had up until the final, final snap. Until his body kind of gave out on him.”
27 Players Out, Plenty of Questions In
Clemson won’t just be missing Woodaz in the Bronx. The Tigers will be down a staggering 27 players due to injuries, transfers, and NFL opt-outs. That includes key veterans and NFL hopefuls from all three levels of the defense - a trio of talented defensive linemen, a cornerstone cornerback, and now their vocal leader at linebacker.
For Allen, who spent time at Penn State as a coordinator in 2024, this matchup comes with some familiar faces on the other sideline. But more importantly, it’s a chance to evaluate who’s ready to step up - and who might be replaced through the transfer portal come January.
“We want to improve our roster,” Allen said. “We want to put us in position to play the way I want us to play - both structurally and attitude-wise and mindset-wise.”
Secondary in Spotlight
There’s no sugarcoating it - Clemson’s secondary has been a trouble spot all season. Coverage busts plagued the Tigers throughout 2025, and with Avieon Terrell opting out for the NFL and Khalil Barnes hitting the portal, the unit is thin heading into the bowl.
That opens the door for redshirt sophomore Branden Strozier to get extended reps at corner, while a group of young, largely untested safeties will be thrown into the fire. Allen knows this game won’t just be about surviving - it’s about evaluating.
“We're gonna need to do it at multiple positions,” Allen said, referring to the portal. “Obviously, Coach Swinney leads the way on that, but I see the need for that, for sure.”
Linebacker Depth Gets a Stress Test
The linebacker room took a hit in 2025 when depth never quite developed the way Clemson hoped. Now, with Woodaz out and both Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson entering the portal, the Tigers are running low on experience.
That means the Pinstripe Bowl becomes a proving ground for the next wave. Sammy Brown - the blue-chip freshman - will take center stage. He’ll be joined by former Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander and Kobe McCloud, both of whom now have a chance to stake their claim heading into 2026.
Freshmen Brayden Reilly and Logan Anderson are also in the mix, but Allen may be looking to add more competition through the portal to solidify the room.
Edge and Interior D-Line: Next Man Up
Defensive end is another area of concern. T.J.
Parker is NFL-bound, and Clemson lost prized 2026 recruit Dre Quinn to Ohio State. That leaves a void opposite Will Heldt, who is returning for his senior year.
Jahiem Lawson, a potential starter, won’t play in the bowl game, which means the Tigers are turning to unproven but intriguing options in Darien Mayo and Ari Watford. Mayo, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound redshirt freshman, has caught Allen’s eye during bowl practices.
“I expect big things of Mayo moving forward,” Allen said - and that future may start sooner than expected.
Inside, the Tigers will be without Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart, pushing Champ Thompson into a bigger role. The redshirt freshman has been flashing during December practices, drawing praise from teammates like Brown.
“Champ’s been hoopin’ in practice,” Brown said. “I’ve been really excited to watch the film.”
A Final Test - and a Glimpse of What’s Next
For Allen, the Pinstripe Bowl isn’t just another game - it’s a litmus test. A chance to see who’s ready to embrace the physical, aggressive identity he’s trying to instill in Clemson’s defense.
“This season has revealed a lot,” Allen said. “When you get put in the fire, you get revealed who you are. It’s been a really great growth time, and we’re playing our best football defensively this time of year, which is what you want.”
Now, it’s about doing it with new faces - and setting the tone for 2026.
“They know the standard, know the expectation,” Allen said. “I expect them to rise up to it on the 27th.”
With Woodaz watching from the sideline, the challenge is clear: finish the season with the same grit and heart he showed on his final play.