Clemson star Peter Woods drafted in first round of 2026 NFL Draft

Clemson added another first-round name on Thursday night, as defensive tackle Peter Woods came off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs used the No. 29 overall pick on Woods, making him the second Clemson player selected in the opening round. Earlier in the night, offensive tackle Blake Miller was taken at No. 17 overall by the Detroit Lions. It’s the first time since 2023 that Clemson has produced multiple first-round picks.

Woods put together a strong three-year run with the Tigers. Across 35 games, he recorded 99 total tackles, including 14.5 for loss, along with 5.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. His 2025 season earned him second-team All-American honors, becoming the first Clemson defensive tackle to receive that recognition since Christian Wilkins in 2018.

In his final season, Woods started all 12 games and finished with 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks while playing more than 500 defensive snaps. Clemson also found ways to use him on offense in short-yardage situations, where he carried the ball eight times for 15 yards, scored two touchdowns and moved the chains four times.

His 2025 season was his most complete, but Woods made an impact from the moment he arrived. He was a Freshman All-American in 2023 and earned national recognition as the top interior defender in his class. Now, after building a consistent and productive career at Clemson, he heads to Kansas City as a first-round pick.

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