HOUSTON – The Texans have finalized a four-year, $5.482 million rookie contract with fourth-round linebacker Wade Woodaz, per a league source.
The deal includes a signing bonus of $1.102 million.
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The Texans drafted Woodaz in the fourth round after trading back six spots with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Woodaz is a big, fast linebacker as a converted safety at 6-foot-3, 236 pounds with 4.52 speed in the 40-yard dash
“Fast, physical and violent,” Woodaz said when asked to describe his style of play.
The Texans had been on Woodaz for a long time, including a formal meeting at the NFL scouting combine and follow-up work on the Clemson campus. There was also a virtual interview with Texans linebackers coach Bill Davis.
“I always just heard a lot of chatter about people talking to the Texans about me,” Woodaz said. “I knew that they wanted to find out more about me. Early on, I was in pretty good contact with them. I think it really clicked. The combine interview was great, super smooth.
“They were just getting to know me, picking my brain, learning my personality. The Texans have for sure been heavily interested throughout the whole process.”
Woodaz drew heavy praise from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney for his versatility, intelligence and work ethic.
Having played deep in the secondary provided a different defensive perspective for Woodaz: the bigger picture.
“It definitely helps you see the back end stucture and coverages from the whole picture point of view, which is very critical to the ‘backers,” Woodaz said. ‘If you know your job and you know what the guys around you have, I think you can play faster."
The 6-foot-3, 236-pounder recorded 217 career tackles, 28 1/2 for losses, nine sacks, three interceptions, one touchdown, four forced fumbles and a blocked punt.
“He’s a baller,” Swinney said. “He’s a fun guy to coach and a fun guy to watch play because he plays the way you want everybody to play.”
Woodaz gained roughly 40 pounds since enrolling as a freshman at Clemson.
“My favorite thing that I ate probably, I would eat a pizza pretty much every night,” Woodaz said. “I slammed those Gatorade protein shakes. They’re like 400 calories, 12 of those a day.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com