Another Preseason Honor for Two Tiger Defenders

A couple of Clemson stars on the defensive side of the ball were named as preseason Walter Camp All-Americans this week.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced its preseason All-America teams, and two Tiger defenders – senior linebacker Barrett Carter and sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods – were both included on the second-team defense.

Carter was also recently selected as a second-team preseason All-American by college football pundit Phil Steele.

Additionally, Athlon Sports tabbed both Carter and Woods as preseason first-team All-ACC selections.

A former five-star prospect, Woods is coming off an impressive freshman season in 2023, when he posted 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts) en route to being named a freshman All-American by various outlets. The 6-foot-2, 315-pounder was also credited with 10 quarterback pressures, the most of any Clemson defensive tackle.

As a second-team All-ACC selection in 2023, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Carter ranked second on the team in tackles (67) and tallied 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery over 12 games (all starts).

A 2022 All-American, Carter enters the 2024 season credited with 170 tackles (21.0 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over 38 career games (26 starts).

You can see the full press release from the Walter Camp Football Foundation on its preseason All-America teams below:

Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team.  Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

Typically announced in early December, the Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the FBS head coaches and sports information directors.

• From 1889 to 1964, eleven players were selected.
• In 1965, both offensive and defensive teams were picked.
• In 1972, the first punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was honored.
• In 1975, the first placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected.
• In 1998, the first-ever Second Team All-America team was recognized.
• In 2001, the first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) was picked.

Good to See You Again

• Sixteen players who earned 2023 Walter Camp All-America First and Second Team honors are on the 2024 preseason list, led by running backs Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina).
• Placekicker Graham Nicholson (Alabama) is on the First Team list. Last year, Nicholson earned First Team honors and the Groza Award at Miami (Ohio).
• Three 2023 First Team defensive honorees – linebacker Jason Henderson (Old Dominion) and defensive backs Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) and Malaki Starks (Georgia) – are 2024 preseason First Team All-Americans.
• Two kick returners honored in 2023 are on the 2024 preseason list – Zachariah Branch (USC) and Jayden Harrison (Notre Dame – transfer from Marshall).

Please also note:  the Foundation will be announcing the Players to Watch for the 2024 Walter Camp Player of Year on Monday, August 5 as part of the National College Football Awards Association Watch List rollout.

2024 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)

Tight End: Colston Loveland (Michigan)

Offensive Line: Clay Webb (Jacksonville State) #, Tate Ratledge (Georgia), Tyler Booker (Alabama), Will Campbell (LSU)

Center: Cooper Mays (Tennessee)

Quarterback: Carson Beck (Georgia)

Running Back: Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)*, Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)*

Placekicker: Graham Nicholson (Alabama)*

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line: James Pearce, Jr. (Tennessee), Howard Cross III (Notre Dame) #, Ashton Gillotte (Louisville) #, Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) #

Linebacker: Jay Higgins (Iowa) #, Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) #, Jason Henderson (Old Dominion)*

Defensive Back: Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)*, Travis Hunter Jr. (Colorado), Malaki Starks (Georgia)*, Will Johnson (Michigan)

Punter: Alex Mastromanno (Florida State)

Kick Returner: Zachariah Branch (USC)#s

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver: Ricky White III (UNLV), Luthur Burden III (Missouri)

Tight End: Bryson Nesbit (North Carolina)

Offensive Line: Luke Kandra (Cincinnati) #, Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), Ajani Cornelius (Oregon), Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)

Center: Parker Brailsford (Alabama)

Quarterback: Quinn Ewers (Texas)

Running Back: Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)

Placekicker: Andrew Borregales (Miami)

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Peter Woods (Clemson), Mason Graham (Michigan), Deone Walker (Kentucky), Landon Jackson (Arkansas)

Linebacker: Harold Perkins (LSU), Barrett Carter (Clemson), Abdul Cater (Penn State)

Defensive Back: Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Dillon Thieneman (Purdue), Denzel Burke (Ohio State) #, Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

Punter: James Burnip (Alabama)

Kick Returner: Jayden Harrison (Notre Dame)*

* – 2023 First Team Walter Camp All-America selection

# – 2023 Second Team Walter Camp All-America selection

Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation ( www.waltercamp.org ) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s website, www.ncfaa.org

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!