Clemson’s linebacking corps is led by the duo of senior Wade Woodaz and sophomore Sammy Brown – the perfect mix of veteran experience and leadership, and a talented youngster with plenty of potential.

Off the field, Woodaz and Brown have been building a strong bond. And Woodaz expects their tight-knit relationship to translate over onto the field this fall as they work together to hold things down in the middle of the Tigers’ defense.

“We got a lot tighter this offseason, so being able to bounce [things] off each other – for example, today, it felt seamless,” Woodaz said Thursday after Clemson opened camp.

“Effortless communication, really. It’s the first day, so I might be speaking too soon, but our relationship on the field is going to blossom I think.”

So, what exactly did Woodaz and Brown do together away from the field this offseason to grow their relationship?

“We’ve gone fishing a couple times, golfing, and then just dinner, hanging out,” Woodaz said.

Woodaz, a 2024 All-ACC honoree from college football expert Phil Steele, says he’s better at golf than Brown but admits that Brown has him beat with the fishing pole.

“He’s a better fisherman. I’m a better golfer,” Woodaz said. “He catches some donkeys, I’m not gonna lie. He took me fishing – we caught some hogs that day. The biggest bass I’ve ever caught, probably a five-pounder. So, it was fun.”

Brown, a 2024 freshman All-American and the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, agrees with the aforementioned assessment from Woodaz.

“He’s definitely got me in golf. But I’m coming for him,” Brown said, laughing.

As Brown, Woodaz and the Tigers embark on the 2025 season with high hopes and aspirations, Brown knows that chemistry like what he and Woodaz have developed is important for when they’re playing next to each other on defense in hard-fought battles this season.

“When you can really relate to a guy off the field, it just makes you so much tighter on the field,” Brown said. “Because you know that when I’m playing MIKE, I know that the guy next to me is my brother and he’s willing to die for me, even if we’re not playing football. So, just the confidence that I have in that guy next to me and that guy to the right of me, it makes a world’s difference.”