Fueled by Perspective and Gratitude, Wade Woodaz Also Leans on Legendary Coach’s Words
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Clemson senior linebacker Wade Woodaz isn’t letting disappointment define his final season. As the Tigers sit at 3-4 and 2-3 in the ACC, heading into Saturday’s home matchup with Duke (4-3, 3-1), the Tampa, Fla. native is choosing to focus on something deeper than the record.
Clemson’s season has been anything but what Woodaz envisioned, but the veteran linebacker hasn’t lost sight of what matters most.
“I just think perspective and then gratitude,” Woodaz said Wednesday. “I've dreamt of being here since I was a kid. I have a picture of me when I was like six years old, standing by the rock, and now I'm here. I've poured everything I had into this season, into the offseason, into getting to where we want to go. And sometimes you just don't get the results you want. But that's life.”
Now in his second year as a full-time starter, Woodaz, tied with safety Ronan Hanafin for second on the team in tackles, also shared his appreciation for being at Clemson.
“I just think perspective on how many people would love to be standing at this stand right now, giving an interview representing Clemson, and then just a deeper appreciation of where I am and where I've come from," he added.
Additionally, Woodaz said he appreciates having approximately five weeks left of his brother, Drew Woodaz, a redshirt freshman linebacker, being his neighbor across the street, having roommates, and dancing in the locker room after practices.
One of head coach Dabo Swinney's signature phrases is 'the fun is in the winning.' Woodaz still finds joy in wearing the Paw despite the upside-down record but can there be fun in losing?
“Obviously there’s disappointment. Losing isn’t fun. I'm not saying that, but the deeper appreciation of where I am,” Woodaz explained. “Like so many people would love to be playing college football. So just being grateful for that. And then I get to do it at a place like Clemson. I get to go play in Death Valley on Saturday. Just be grateful for that. Obviously, we haven't got the results we want. But just because you don't get the results, doesn't mean you don't go back to work. Doesn't mean you don't go pour everything you've got into it. I'm still going to do that, regardless of whether I'm 0-37 or 85-0. It's going to be the same process every week.”
That process, one of daily effort and consistent focus, is something Woodaz has long valued. He recalled words from former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, a seven-time national champion, that have stuck with him ever since discovering them years ago on YouTube.
Sep 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) is tackled by Clemson Tigers linebacker Wade Woodaz (17) in the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
Woodaz paraphrased the comments as, “Results are just a distraction. It's the process that really matters.” Saban’s statement, “I also think that players have to stay focused on the process of what they need to do to be good players. Focusing on outcomes is like a distraction.”
Ironically, Saban made those remarks at Alabama’s initial 2019 spring practice — months after Clemson’s 44–16 dismantling of the Crimson Tide in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Though Clemson won’t contend for a national or conference title this season, Woodaz is living his dream of playing college football at the school he envisioned himself representing. The former three-star linebacker, who may have a future in the NFL, also praised the contributions of essential, often-overlooked teammates.
“They're the unsung heroes,” Woodaz said, acknowledging the scout team players who grind every week without fanfare or recognition. “They get beat up just as bad as we get beat up, and they don't get the special treatment. They don't get limited reps because their bodies hurt, and then you just get no glory. They put the pads on and their helmet on Saturdays and stand there on the sidelines.”
He even singled out a few names, running backs Max Wilson and Peyton Streko, Dominic Cardone, a 6-foot-9, 385-pound offensive lineman, and quarterback Cade Trotter.
“So for them to have to go through that and just show up every week, and I don't hear none of them complain,” Woodaz said. “They're just grateful to be here. So that's another thing, like perspective. Perspective — so powerful. Those guys just get no credit ever, and they're the engine that keeps the thing rolling.”
Perspective, gratitude, and process have been central to Woodaz’s path to Clemson and continue to guide him and his teammates through a season few could have predicted.
