Peter Woods is a defensive tackle and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who spent three seasons at Clemson University. A native of Alabaster, Alabama, Woods was one of the top defensive line recruits in the 2023 class, carrying a four-star rating from 247Sports and a No. 9 overall ranking from ESPN after helping lead Thompson High School to four consecutive state championships. He enrolled at Clemson and was an immediate contributor, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2023 while recording 26 tackles and leading all Clemson defensive tackles in quarterback pressures. He elevated his profile in 2024 by splitting time between defensive end and defensive tackle, recording 28 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks while earning All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition. His 2025 campaign saw him become both a defensive starter and an occasional offensive weapon, as Clemson used him as a short-yardage ball carrier in which he scored two rushing touchdowns across 12 starts while adding 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks on defense, earning second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC honors. He declared for the draft after his junior season.
Measuring approximately 6 feet 2 to 3 inches and 298 to 315 pounds and posting a reported 4.75-second 40-yard dash time, Woods brings rare explosiveness for a defensive tackle, with a burst off the snap and lateral agility that consistently disrupt blocking schemes before guards and centers can set their feet. His upfield quickness, active hands, and low pad level allow him to penetrate gaps and compress the pocket from the interior, and his two-way versatility at Clemson reflects the extraordinary athleticism his frame produces. At just 21 years old at draft time, his frame has real room to grow with an NFL strength program. The concerns are shorter-than-preferred arm length and a pass-rush production line that, while growing each year, has not yet matched the disruption his tape suggests is possible. He projects as a first-round selection who will develop into an elite three-technique or four-technique disruptor in a one-gap scheme, with a ceiling that defensive coordinators compare to some of the best interior penetrators in the league.
