A converted safety turned four-year Clemson linebacker whose versatility made him a fourth-round pick for Houston.
Wade Woodaz spent four seasons in Clemson's defense, moving from a safety background into a full-time linebacker role that showcased his range and instincts. Houston took him in the fourth round of the 2026 draft, valuing the kind of positional flexibility that let him line up all over Dabo Swinney's defense.
Path to the league
A three-star recruit out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida, Woodaz signed with Clemson in the 2022 class and converted from safety to linebacker during his time with the Tigers. The Texans selected him in the fourth round, 123rd overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Woodaz finished his Clemson career with 201 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and three interceptions across four seasons. He drew praise from Dabo Swinney for his versatility and football intelligence, and he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day, a time that would have tied for third among linebackers at the NFL Combine.
2025 season recap
In his final season at Clemson, Woodaz recorded 70 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three pass deflections while continuing to line up at multiple spots in the front seven. That production and his athletic testing helped him climb draft boards into the fourth round.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Wade Woodaz
- ESPN: Wade Woodaz
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Clemson
- Hometown
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
