CLEMSON – Changing positions is something that can often be a challenge, but it’s freed up a Clemson defender to play at his best.

Linebacker Wade Woodaz spent his first two years as a Tiger playing as an outside linebacker, and prep leading up to the Gator Bowl was the first time he’d swap over to MIKE linebacker and it’s changed the way he plays.

“I didn’t really rep MIKE fully until bowl prep prior to the Kentucky game and then now, I rotate all three now. It’s like the back of my hand, I like it a lot. It’s probably one of my favorite positions,” Woodaz said.

The move was as a result of Jeremiah Trotter Jr. heading to the NFL and Woodaz is making the transition smoothly. It’s clearly big shoes to fill, but Woodaz is taking the information he learned from Trotter during his time here.

In this role, he enjoys having the “title of setting the front” and Barrett Carter is helping him do so. Being vocal is something he enjoys. The centerpiece spot isn’t easy, but he’s appreciating the opportunity.

Specifically with his play, Woodaz was different in the Gator Bowl against Kentucky. He had four tackles in the game and described a freeing experience on the field.

“The Kentucky game was really fun for me. I just felt really free. It was weird as my first game in my new position and I felt really free and I was running around having fun playing the game I always have. I didn’t feel tense at all and I just had a mindset going into the game like just run around and hit people,” Woodaz said.

Winning in a thriller added to that taste, and Woodaz is crafting his game for 2024 as the anchor of the Clemson second level. As he and the Tigers mitigate all the veteran losses, Woodaz is helping spearhead this new era of Clemson defense.