Peter Woods: 'Complacency isn't in my vocabulary'
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On the move from defensive tackle to defensive end:
"Primarily, that's where I'm lined up right now, for the most part. It'd be kind of a situational thing. Position versatility has been a big thing, even throughout my recruitment. So, it was not really a surprise to me -- something I actually expected after having a year in the program. We got some dogs across the whole line. So, wherever I'm needed is where I'm willing to play."
On slimming down from his listed weight of 315 pounds to play the new position:
"My goal is 290-285 and that's really where I played in high school. So, I'm a lot closer to that goal than I was [at] this time last year. I can already feel it. Just the fluidity, just playing the position -- it feels good."
On not being complacent after having a freshman campaign:
"It's not in me. Complacency isn't in my vocabulary."
Note: Woods finished the 2023 season with 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts) and garnered Freshman All-American honors from multiple outlets
On what new defensive end coach Chris Rumph brings to the table:
"He just brings the energy every day. I'll probably say that's the biggest thing. He just motivates you. He's a guy that you want to play for, you want to go hard for because you know how passionate he is about this game, coaching us, and developing us as men."
On the depth across the defensive linemen:
"I mean it's like when you walk into a candy shop. You look at all the different candies and you stand there for 10 minutes and don't know which one you're gonna pick. That's literally how it is. You can throw Big Cudi [Demonte Capehart], Tre [Williams], Payton [Page], Stephiylan [Green], and Vic Burley. I can just keep going down the list. Champ Thompson is coming up - this is looking crazy - and we got some other guys."