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Swinney says Peter Woods was the best option at defensive end

Related Topics: Dabo Swinney, Xavier Thomas

CLEMSON – When the Clemson coaches looked for viable options at a thin defensive end spot, they decided the best players were already on the roster, not in the transfer portal. Enter Peter Woods.

Veteran defensive ends Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll ran out of eligibility last season, leaving a bevy of youngsters and inexperienced players to join sophomore TJ Parker at the end spot. Aside from Parker, the entire group of defensive ends has combined for just 128 combined career snaps.

Woods was a 2023 Freshman All-American credited with 27 tackles (2.