Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods drafted by AFC powerhouse
Peter Woods entered Clemson as a highly touted recruit and leaves as a first-round NFL draft pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected the Clemson defensive tackle with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Woods becomes the first Tigers defensive tackle to go in the first round since the New Orleans Saints picked Bryan Bresee in the 2023 draft.
Woods was a five-star prospect coming out of Thompson High in Alabama and was a two-year starter for Dabo Swinney and Clemson. In 35 career games, Woods had 99 tackles (14.5 for loss) and five sacks. His production dipped some this year because he faced more double teams, but he was a first-team Associated Press All-American selection, the first by a Clemson defensive tackle by Christian Wilkins.
“He’s going to fit right in day one and will be ready to compete. He learns the game easily. It’s hard to find guys that have his uniqueness,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said of Woods. “He really will be different from probably anybody else that’s in the room with him. He played all the special teams for us his whole career, played offense for us, and he’s also a graduate in three years, which shows you his maturity, his ability to manage his time and to achieve a goal that he set forward.”
Woods was projected as a possible first- or second-round pick in most mock drafts, going as high as No. 22 or as low as No. 37.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper called Woods “quick, athletic and strong,” adding that “the talent of Peter Woods is through the roof.”
After Woods’ selection, ESPN analyst Booger McFarland raved about Woods’ athleticism.
“He has elite athletic ability,” McFarland said. “The 2025 season wasn’t as good as 2024. He thought he was going to be a top-10 pick before the season. But he has strong hands and the ability to control the offensive line. He can make plays up and down the line of scrimmage.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is being held in Pittsburgh and continues with Rounds 2-3 starting Friday at 7 p.m. and Rounds 4-7 starting Saturday at noon. Broadcasts are available on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:53 PM.
