Two Tiger Defenders Ranked among CFB's Top 50 Players

Ahead of the upcoming season, a pair of national outlets released their rankings of the best players in college football.

A couple of star Clemson defenders – linebacker Barrett Carter and defensive lineman Peter Woods – were ranked among the top 50 players in the sport by ESPN and/or Pro Football Focus entering the 2024 campaign.

Carter landed a top-15 ranking by ESPN , checking in as the No. 15 overall player.

A 2022 All-American and 2023 All-ACC selection, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound 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).

“Carter turned heads after the season-opening loss to Duke last year when he said he did not feel as if he was in game shape,” ESPN wrote. “He still had a solid season with 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery, but he returned for his senior season with more in mind — domination.”

Woods, meanwhile, was ranked among the top 50 college football players by both PFF (No. 49) and ESPN (No. 50).

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-3, 315-pounder was also credited with 10 quarterback pressures, the most of any Clemson defensive tackle.

“Woods ranked third among FBS defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate (17.1%) and seventh in PFF run-defense grade (88.6) last season,” PFF wrote. “His 87.6 PFF overall grade was the third-best mark by a true freshman interior defensive lineman since PFF began charting college football in 2014. The only two above Woods were Dexter Lawrence and Ed Oliver in 2016, two of the 25 best defensive tackles in the NFL. Expect Woods to become much more of a household name as a full-time starter in 2024.”

“As expected, (Woods) had a Freshman All-America-caliber season for the Tigers last year,” ESPN wrote. “But headed into this season, Clemson wants to take advantage of his versatility and plans to play him at both defensive tackle (his natural position) and defensive end. Coach Dabo Swinney called Woods one of the team’s “best pass rushers” and said simply, “He’ll play everywhere.””

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