Woods Named One of ‘Most Interesting CFB People’

This Clemson star is one of the most interesting people in college football, according to one national outlet.

The Athletic recently named the 25 “most interesting college football people,” and Clemson junior defensive tackle Peter Woods was named among them.

“A defensive lineman to finish? That’s fitting, considering a dominant defensive line comes right after quarterback on the list of things college football teams need to win it all,” The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode wrote. “Clemson looks great in both areas, and Woods isn’t just any defensive lineman. He came in No. 5 on that Freaks List, managing a 33-inch vertical with his 310-pound body. As difficult as it is to project quarterbacks in the draft entering a college season, players like Woods are easier to peg. He should be a top-10 pick in the spring, after combining with quarterback Cade Klubnik to give the Tigers a shot at the whole thing.”

While splitting time between defensive tackle and defensive end as a sophomore last season, Woods recorded 32 tackles (8.5 for loss), 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble in 391 defensive snaps over 11 games (10 starts).

After coming to Clemson as ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect for the 2023 recruiting class, Woods earned freshman All-American honors in 2023, when the former five-star prospect posted 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts), to go along with 10 quarterback pressures, the most of any Clemson defensive tackle.

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer was named among The Athletic’s 25 most interesting college football people, as was North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick:

“Obvious, yes, but undeniable. And here’s another reason to be thankful for the start of the season. Belichick’s personal affairs can recede and one of the fascinating questions in American sports in 2025 can prevail: What will a 73-year-old legendary NFL coach who has never worked in college football do with a perennially underwhelming college football program?

“Beyond the challenges of player procurement and retention that have driven people such as his buddy Nick Saban out of the sport, there are questions of connection and development. Long-ago North Carolina star Lawrence Taylor accelerated the rise of Belichick, who has been around pros for 50 years. Now he’s dealing with kids and is expected to equip them to beat teams with more talented kids.”

Belichick’s Tar Heels will host Dabo Swinney and the Tigers on Oct. 4 in Chapel Hill.