Clemson Rookie Delivers Pick-Six vs. No. 1 Overall Pick

Clemson’s Wade Woodaz delivered an unforgettable NFL highlight Thursday night.

During the Houston Texans’ preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Woodaz — a rookie linebacker for the Texans — intercepted the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Woodaz didn’t stop there. He took the interception against Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, 80 yards to the house for a pick-six, giving Houston a 14-0 lead at the 8:18 mark of the first quarter.

Woodaz came off the board on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, when he was selected No. 123 overall by the Texans in the fourth round.

Woodaz was a mainstay on the Clemson defense the past few years. After appearing in all 14 games as a freshman in 2022, Woodaz started five games as a sophomore. He was a full-time starter over each of the last two seasons.

During his four-year career with the Tigers, Woodaz was credited with 217 tackles (28.5 for loss), nine sacks, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt over 51 games, including 30 starts.