Woodaz’s Wall: Clemson’s Linebacker Delivers Rivalry Redemption Against South Carolina
December 1, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In the sweltering heat of Williams-Brice Stadium, where the echoes of last year’s agony still lingered like a bad hangover, Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz emerged as the unbreakable force that flipped the script on the Palmetto Bowl rivalry.
The Tigers roared to a decisive 28-14 victory over South Carolina on November 29, but it was Woodaz’s relentless, career-best performance that truly silenced the doubters and reshaped the narrative of this heated in-state clash.
For Clemson fans, the 2024 edition of this game remains a fresh wound: a heart-wrenching 17-14 defeat sealed by South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ dagger—a 20-yard touchdown scamper with just 1:08 remaining. Sellers tormented the Tigers that day, piling up 166 rushing yards on 16 carries, his legs a constant thorn that exposed defensive lapses and handed the Gamecocks victory.
It was a performance that not only stung Clemson but also ignited a fire under players like Woodaz, who vowed silently—and publicly—to ensure history wouldn’t repeat itself. Fast-forward one year, and the tables turned dramatically. Sellers, the dual-threat dynamo who had danced through Clemson’s front seven with ease, was stuffed into a phone booth. The junior signal-caller managed just 2 net rushing yards on 12 carries, his 30 yards gained erased by 28 lost—thanks to a ferocious Clemson pass rush that sacked him five times for a staggering 27 yards in losses.
South Carolina’s ground game as a whole sputtered to 41 yards on 19 attempts, averaging a paltry 2.2 yards per carry, while the Gamecocks converted just 1-of-11 third downs.
Clemson’s defense, feasting on two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and forcing three fumbles (two lost), turned the tide early and never looked back.At the epicenter of this defensive masterclass stood Woodaz, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior from Florida… who delivered what many are calling his finest hour in orange and purple. Woodaz finished with a game-high seven tackles (five solo), including a quarterback hurry that rattled Sellers into incomplete passes and a crucial pass breakup on a fourth-and-3 at the Clemson 34-yard line late in the fourth quarter.
That deflection, with 8:48 remaining and the Tigers clinging to a 20-14 lead, forced a punt and allowed Clemson to salt away the win with a pick-six moments later.”Wade was everywhere,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said postgame, his voice booming over the jubilant locker room. “He set the tone from the first snap—physical, smart, and just hungry.
This rivalry means everything to these guys, and Wade channeled that into pure dominance.” Indeed, Woodaz’s stat line doesn’t tell the full story of his impact: his QB hurry contributed to one of those five sacks, and his coverage skills helped Clemson break up 11 passes overall, turning South Carolina’s aerial attack—381 passing yards notwithstanding—into a series of anxious heaves rather than surgical strikes.
The fire in Woodaz’s belly traces back to that 2024 loss, a game that left him and his teammates stewing in traffic for 90 minutes just to get home—eight minutes from the stadium under normal circumstances.
But rather than dwell, Woodaz turned reflection into resolve. Entering the 2025 season, he spoke openly about not letting early-season stumbles derail the group’s focus, emphasizing a “same process” mentality: grind the tape, hit the weight room, and show up ready.
By midseason, after a frustrating loss to Duke, his frustration boiled over into motivation. “We were hungry for a win and pissed off,” Woodaz told reporters, a sentiment that carried into rivalry week like a rallying cry.
It was personal for Woodaz, a Florida native whose four-year career at Clemson has been marked by steady ascent—from rotational player to emotional leader of the linebacker corps. Teammates like freshman phenom Sammy Brown (nine tackles) and edge rusher T.J. Parker (three sacks) fed off his energy, creating a defensive synergy that scouts from 10 NFL teams couldn’t ignore.
Woodaz, projected as a mid-round draft pick, used the stage to remind everyone why he’s a cornerstone of this Tigers unit.As the final whistle blew, Woodaz lingered on the field, helmet in hand, soaking in the cheers from a sea of orange invading enemy territory. The narrative of Sellers as the rivalry’s boogeyman? Buried under a pile of would-be tackles. Clemson’s stranglehold on the series—now nine wins in the last 11—feels firmer than ever.
And for Woodaz, this wasn’t just a win; it was validation. A senior send-off that screamed, “Not on my watch.” In a rivalry defined by heartbreak and heroics, Wade Woodaz authored the latest chapter—one of grit, growth, and glorious payback. The Tigers may head into bowl season with questions, but on this Saturday, there were only answers..
