Peter Woods discusses meetings with NFL teams, weighs decision on NFL Combine workouts
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Peter Woods has spent the past three seasons anchoring Clemson’s defensive front. This week at the NFL Combine, the projected first-round pick is making his case as the next Tigers defensive lineman ready to carry that tradition into the NFL.
Woods was one of nine Clemson players invited to the Combine earlier this month. On Wednesday, Woods joined fellow defensive tackle Demonte Capehart, defensive end T.J. Parker, and linebacker Wade Woodaz in meeting with the media, offering insight into Clemson’s culture and his transition toward the next level.
“There’s nine of us here and I could name about three or four others that should probably be here,” Woods said. “I strongly believe that if you want the best player on your team, for your locker room, for the field, for the culture, just to rise to the level of competition, it’s a Clemson Tiger.”
Over three seasons, he recorded 99 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks while establishing himself as one of the nation’s most disruptive interior defenders. His combination of power, athleticism, and versatility has elevated him into first-round consideration ahead of April’s NFL Draft.
The Combine has provided Woods with an opportunity to strengthen relationships with teams. He said he has spoken with 18 organizations so far, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who roster former Clemson standouts Tee Higgins, selected 33rd overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Myles Murphy, taken 28th overall in 2023, and linebacker Barrett Carter, a fourth-round selection (119th overall) in 2025.
His meetings also included detailed conversations with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
Jets meeting focused on development, defensive fit
The Jets, who hold the No. 2 and No. 16 overall picks in this year’s draft, spent extensive time with Woods reviewing defensive concepts and evaluating his transition to the NFL game.
“I actually met with the Jets yesterday, one of my last meetings going into the night,” Woods said. “It was a great meeting. We were talking ball, installing defenses. And it's really just a great experience, just to be able to talk to them and get their feedback. One of the questions that I always ask is, where you see that I can get better moving from college to the NFL, just to better my game. And they had some great things to say about that.”
The Jets also feature Clemson lineage in the locker room with offensive lineman John Simpson, who played for the Tigers from 2016 to 2019 and was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ravens connection strengthened by Clemson pipeline
Woods also met with the Ravens, who hold the No. 14 overall pick and have built a defense that includes former Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson, selected 86th overall in the third round of the 2023 draft, and cornerback Nate Wiggins, taken 30th overall in 2024.
“I love the Ravens,” Woods said. “I actually met with them yesterday, and just got a chance to sit down with coach [Lou] Esposito and coach [Jesse] Minter. It meant a lot to me. I would say, kind of like the same thing with the Jets, just very critical, just learning and getting better, learning ball, talking ball. But I'm really grateful for the opportunity to meet with them.”
Woods said his frequent conversations with Wiggins have reinforced the appeal of Baltimore’s culture.
“You know me and Nate, we talk pretty often,” Woods said. “And he loves the culture up there. He loves the way that he gets coached hard every day. And that's something that I'm used to coming from Clemson, being coached by coach [Nick] Eason, and coach [Tom] Allen and coach [Dabo] Swinney. So it's something that we have in common, for sure.”
Potential reunion with Bryan Bresee intrigues Woods
Although Woods said he has not met with the New Orleans Saints, who hold the No. 8 overall selection, the possibility of joining former Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, the 29th overall pick in the 2023 draft, would be meaningful.
“That would be like a dope world-beating combination. That's how I consider it,” Woods said. “Bryan was one of those guys. He was on his way out when I was on my way into Clemson. But even when I was in recruiting, he welcomed me with open arms. I've gotten a chance to link up with him multiple times throughout the years, even since he's been in New Orleans.”
Bresee’s mentorship has helped Woods prepare for the transition to the NFL.
“He's been a voice of reason for me,” Woods said. “He's been advocating for me, teaching me the reins, telling me what to expect at the next level, and some of those things like that. So he's been kind of like a big brother figure, if you will. I really appreciate Bryan and the Saints.”
Nick Eason’s influence shaped Woods’ NFL readiness
Woods credited Clemson defensive line coach Nick Eason for preparing him physically and mentally for the NFL. Eason, a former Clemson letterman from 1999 to 2002, spent 17 combined seasons as an NFL player and coach before returning to Clemson.
“One thing I say about him is, I mean, who better to play for than a guy who's played and coached at every level of football,” Woods said. “Developing guys and putting them in the league, coaching them in the league. He pushed me past measures that I didn't even know that I could reach from a standpoint of even just getting my body right. So even off the field, he's been a great man in my life.”
Decision on workouts remains uncertain
Defensive linemen and linebackers are scheduled to participate in on-field workouts from 3 to 8 p.m. ET on Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The combine runs through Sunday, March 1.
Woods said he has not finalized whether he will participate in all drills this week.
“I don't know yet. I don't know,” Woods said. “I might run in my pro day. I may run tomorrow.”
