Clemson senior linebacker Wade Woodaz turned in one of his best games of the 2025 season last time out against rival South Carolina on Nov. 29.

Unfortunately for Woodaz, that would turn out to be his final game in a Clemson uniform, as he will miss the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Penn State on Dec. 27 due to an injury in the South Carolina game that required surgery.

Woodaz only played one season for first-year Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen, but it’s safe to say Woodaz made a major impression on Allen in 2025.

Allen was effusive in his praise for Woodaz when Allen met with the media on Dec. 17 ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl.

“Couldn’t be more proud of him,” Allen said. “He has been a tremendous leader for me since I’ve been here, for this team defensively, and our whole team in general. But [Woodaz] responded to that challenge I gave him when I got here, and just running the defense and not being afraid to hold others to the standard. If you’re going to do that, you better live it up yourself and live it out yourself and do it every single day. And to see him play his best game since I’ve been here, on his final game, was just awesome.”

Woodaz recorded eight tackles and a late fourth-down pass breakup against the Gamecocks, while helping the Tigers hold star quarterback LaNorris Sellers to just 2 rushing yards a year after he ran all over Clemson’s defense in 2024.

On the latest episode of Clemson Football’s official podcast, 2 Right Turns, Woodaz said his shoulder popped out of socket on the play where he tracked down and tackled Sellers when the QB had nothing but grass in front of him.

“You think about both him and Sammy [Brown] and how well they played, how well they tackled one of the best and most elusive quarterbacks in the country from a size and speed ratio, perspective. So, just a tough kid, man,” Allen said of Woodaz. “I hate it that we don’t have him for this last [game], but I’m excited for him to be able to get it fixed and be able to have a great pro preparation, because he’s going to have a chance to play on Sundays.”

This season, Woodaz ranks second on the team with 77 total tackles. He also registered seven tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three QB pressures and four pass breakups.

Allen credits Woodaz for helping the Tigers stick together and fight through adversity to finish the regular season with a 7-5 record after a 1-3 start.

Thanks to leaders like Woodaz, the 2025 Tigers became the first team in school history to win seven games in a season in which the team started the year with one win or fewer through four games.

“He needed to take a big step this year, and he obviously got better throughout the season in the areas you need to work on,” Allen said. “He’s just one of those guys you just want to see do well, and when he does, you just couldn’t be happier. He comes from such a great family, and he’s just been so disciplined and so tough by staying the course when the season didn’t go the way any of us expected it to or wanted it to early on, and he was a big reason why we stayed together.

“He’s a big reason why we were able to fight through the 1-3 start and to be able to get back to where we have a chance to win eight games in this season. So, we need to do that for him, because he gave us everything he had up until the final snap until his body kind of gave out on him. But at the same time, it’s something he can get fixed and be able to be fine for his future.”

Woodaz has been a full-time starter over the last two seasons, starting 12 games in both 2025 and 2024. He started five games as a sophomore and one as a freshman.

Over his four-year career, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is credited with more than 200 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and four forced fumbles.

“So, just so proud of Wade,” Allen added. “It’s been a real blessing and a privilege to be his coach.”