CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney thinks Peter Woods might be the fastest defensive lineman Clemson has had. Even faster than former Clemson great Christian Wilkins.

“Not that Christian is slow, God forbid,” Clemson’s head coach said Wednesday as the Tigers began spring drills inside the Poe Indoor Practice Facility. “Christian your fast. If he watches this (press conference) I will be getting a text message from him.”

However, Swinney says Woods can fly.

“He is freaky. He is stronger. He is a freaky dude, man,” Swinney said. “He can play anywhere. He can play end at 290 and play it as fast as you need him to play it. That guy is a football player. He could probably play MIKE backer for us.”

Clemson will use Woods in a lot of ways this spring. Now that the sophomore has a year under his belt, he gives the Tigers a lot of flexibility.

“He is just an incredibly gifted, fast, explosive, strong and powerful football player,” Swinney said. “He really understands the game. He played at the highest level.”

Woods played at a high level as a true freshman in 2023. He earned Freshman All-American honors after playing in 12 games and starting two.

He tallied 27 tackles overall, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

“The kid is a winner. He is a grinder, and he has the mindset that you want. So, all of those things bode well for us,” Swinney said.

According to Clemson’s current roster, Woods is listed at 6-foot-2 and weighs 315 pounds. Wilkins played at 300 pounds in his last year at Clemson and played around that same weight when he played and started at defensive end in 2016.

With Clemson lacking experienced depth at the defensive end position, Woods will get a look there this spring, especially since there is so much depth at defensive tackle.

Swinney indicated Woods will still play inside at times, like Wilkins did, because he is that kind of player.

“He is a pretty lean dude,” Swinney said about Woods’ size and ability to play outside. “We track all that stuff all the time, their body composition and muscle mass and all of that. He will play at a lighter weight for sure.”

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