Wade Woodaz gained 27 pounds drinking 12 protein shakes a day. Why that's big for Clemson football
CLEMSON — In a perfect world, Clemson football would have eight scholarship linebackers on its roster ready to go for the start of the season.
But it's not a perfect world. Clemson dismissed redshirt freshman T.J. Dudley this summer for an undisclosed violation of team rules. The Tigers have six scholarship linebackers as they prepare for the season opener at Duke on Sept. 4 (8 p.m., ESPN).
Two are stars. Juniors Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are one of the top linebacker duos in the country.
Two are freshmen. Jamal Anderson and Dee Crayton both arrived as early enrollees in the spring.
Another is redshirt freshman Kobe McCloud, who has played three defensive snaps and is the brother of former Clemson two-way standout RayRay McCloud.
The sixth is sophomore Wade Woodaz. He's the most experienced behind Trotter and Carter, and with a short staff at the position, Clemson needs him to build on his success last season.
"We're a little top-heavy (at linebacker)," coach Dabo Swinney said at ACC media days. "We're going to have to get some help from Kobe, Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson. They're going to have to step up and help us out depth-wise, but Woodaz, it starts with him."
As a freshman in 2022, Woodaz was a surprising standout. He had expected to redshirt his first year. Instead, he played in all 14 games with 20 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks in less than 200 defensive snaps.
When he played in Clemson's Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee, Woodaz said he was getting "pushed around" and realized he needed to play at a higher weight. He drank about a dozen protein shakes per day on his way from 205 pounds then to 232 now.
Woodaz's development has been a point of emphasis in preseason practices after the loss of depth behind him.
"We're trying to purposefully get Wade a bunch of reps to really create the type of depth we need," Swinney said this month. "I think we know what we've got in Barrett and what we've got in Trotter. (Woodaz is) kind of the main thing."
Woodaz has carved out a role as the Sam linebacker alongside Carter at Will and Trotter at Mike. Swinney believes Woodaz has the versatility to play any linebacker spot, and he also has experience dropping back to safety.
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Behind him, the Tigers have talented but inexperienced players. In another perfect world, Woodaz would take a big step forward and become a reliable third man in the middle of Clemson's defense, and he, Carter and Trotter would all stay healthy. Carter thinks the former is already happening.
"(Woodaz is) getting so comfortable in his skin," Carter said during preseason practice. "He's showing that he's developing within the program, especially physically. ... He's been grinding mentally, he's really learning the playbook. It's all tied in for Wade."
Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@greenvillenews.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Wade Woodaz drinking 12 protein shakes a day good for Clemson football
