Like many draft hopefuls, former Clemson standout defensive tackle Peter Woods impressed during his college career. Momentum can make all the difference in in-person evaluations, and the NFL Combine, along with college pro days, provide players the opportunity to showcase their athleticism. On those occasions, stopwatch readings can determine a player’s draft position.
Clemson DT Peter Woods’ Skipping the 40-Yard Dash Raises Concerns
After two strong seasons in which Woods ranked Nos. 50 and 36 in PFSN’s CFB DT Impact Rankings, many believed last season would mark the peak of his collegiate career. However, his statistical output declined. His tackles for loss dropped from 8.5 to 3.5, and he ultimately fell to No. 107 in the rankings.
Back in September, a discussion started bubbling around his draft stock slipping. Now that he has withdrawn from the 40-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day, the whispers have grown louder. “Locked on Cowboys” podcast host Marcus Mosher offered his take.
“Peter Woods has already seen his consensus ranking drop from No. 8 to No. 23 over the last three months. Skipping out on the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine AND Pro Day doesn’t help silence any questions surrounding him,” Mosher said.
Peter Woods has already seen his consensus ranking drop from No. 8 to No. 23 over the last three months.
Skipping out on the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine AND Pro Day doesn’t help silence any questions surrounding him.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 12, 2026
At the combine, Woods measured just over 6’2″ and weighed 298 pounds. However, he declined to run the 40-yard dash, leaving scouts without one of the final pieces of the evaluation puzzle. As a result, his draft stock continues to slide.
With his size, Woods falls into the “tweener” category — either a very large defensive end or an undersized defensive tackle. Auburn defender Keldric Faulk has also been labeled a tweener, but in a positive sense. Faulk is roughly four inches taller than Woods and has demonstrated the ability to play both as an end and inside as a tackle.
While the 40-yard dash carries importance, some evaluators argue that the 10-yard split is more critical. That measurement reflects initial burst and explosion, key for defensive tackles seeking to gain an advantage off the snap. Woods completed the 10-yard split and other drills but declined to run the full 40.
Peter Woods going through positional drills, led by Cowboys defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. pic.twitter.com/evF7NJiCcL
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 12, 2026
Outlets such as The Athletic have excluded Woods from their latest mock drafts. Florida’s Caleb Banks and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald currently rank ahead of him. Whether Woods can improve his draft stock based on tape from 2023 to 2024 remains uncertain.
