Four-star defensive end Peter Woods released his top four on Thursday as the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson standout narrowed his list down significantly from 40-plus offers.
Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Oklahoma made the cut for Woods, who has taken visits all across the country and plays at one of the power programs in Alabama so he’s met with a lot of coaches and is familiar with the recruiting process.
In today’s Ranking The Contenders, we look at Woods’ four front-runners and put them in order of likelihood where he will commit.
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1. ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide will be very tough to beat. Woods is an in-state prospect, former Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson teammate Jeremiah Alexander just signed there, the Alabama coaching staff has been recruiting him for a long time and will fit him into the defense wherever works best and Woods has taken numerous visits to Tuscaloosa to familiarize himself with everything. Others cannot be counted out yet but Alabama is in a very strong position with Woods and basically has since the beginning of his recruitment.
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2. CLEMSON
If there is a team that could surprise Alabama, it would be Clemson. The Tigers have really sold Woods and his family on a holistic approach to recruiting, the coaching staff has a real family feel that the four-star defensive lineman likes and that program has produced high-level players at his position over the years. Alabama and Clemson have different approaches to the recruiting process and the Tigers’ could make a compelling case as things continue in his recruitment.
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3. FLORIDA
The new coaching staff at Florida could actually be of benefit to the Gators because Woods knows a lot of coaches and staffers and really likes them. He’s also visited Gainesville and really loved it, likes the new facilities and the program’s direction. Playing for coach Billy Napier would be a major draw and all the personnel that the Gators have brought in will be a big selling point as Woods looks at his favorites.
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4. OKLAHOMA
Woods has always had interest in the Sooners but this seems like a long shot right now. Oklahoma got involved early in his recruitment, the four-star defensive lineman has always seemed intrigued by the program and looking more into Oklahoma but by our records he has not visited Norman yet. The recruitment started in the Lincoln Riley era and it could have been advanced even more under Brent Venables since he’s a defensive-minded coach but others are definitely higher.