
The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to feature multiple Clemson players, with eight Tigers included in ESPN's final mock draft. Key prospects include first-round picks T.J. Parker and Blake Miller, alongside potential Day 2 selections like Peter Woods and Avieon Terrell.
Mentioned in this story
The 2026 NFL draft is upon us. After only three Clemson football players were selected in the 2025 draft last year, this year's festivities could see more than double that total.
ESPN's Jordan Reid recently included eight Tigers from last year's team in his final 2026 mock draft. The biggest names are projected first-round picks T.J. Parker and offensive tackle Blake Miller. Defensive tackle Peter Woods and cornerback Avieon Terrell are widely seen as Day 2 picks.
Other names to watch are wide receiver Antonio Williams, running back Adam Randall, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and yes, quarterback Cade Klubnik.
While not all of those players had the type of year Clemson had hoped for amid a 7-6 season that dovetailed sharply from a No. 4 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, the Tigers will be well-presented at this year's NFL draft beginning Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
As he gets set to enter his 18th full season as head coach in 2026, few college football coaches have sent more players to the NFL than Dabo Swinney.
Clemson Wire is taking an updated look at every former Tigers player selected in an NFL draft under Swinney. We start with the 2010 draft following Swinney's first full season as Clemson's coach and work our way up to 2025.
Here’s every Clemson player taken in an NFL draft over the last 16 years.
Author's Note: This story will be updated at the conclusion of the 2026 NFL draft.
ESPN's final mock draft includes eight Clemson players projected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The top prospects include T.J. Parker and Blake Miller, who are projected as first-round picks.
Clemson had a disappointing 7-6 season after starting with a No. 4 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.
The 2026 NFL Draft will begin in Pittsburgh.

Could the Chiefs trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft for a key player?
Lamine Yamal suffers hamstring injury, likely to be fit for World Cup
Falkirk fans express disappointment in Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi's season.
Coco Gauff confirms her return to the Berlin Open as she gears up for Wimbledon!

Jaume Munar avanza a la segunda ronda y se enfrentará a Casper Ruud en el Mutua Madrid Open.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
C. J. Spiller #28 of the Clemson Tigers rushes upfield against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2009 ACC Football Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Five Clemson players drafted:
Spiller was the first running back chosen in the 2010 draft and went on to play in parts of eight NFL seasons. A record-setter on the gridiron during his time at Clemson, Spiller returned to his alma mater as a member of Swinney’s coaching staff in 2020. He's been the Tigers’ running backs coach since 2021.
Clemson DT Jarvis Jenkins (99) and DE Kevin Alexander (24) celebrate after Jenkins recovered a fumble against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half of the 2009 Music City Bowl at LP Field. The Tigers beat the Wildcats 21-13. Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Six Clemson players drafted:
Defensive end Andre Branch #40 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates during the closing moments of the Tigers 56-45 win over the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium on October 15, 2011 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Four Clemson players drafted:
DeAndre Hopkins of the Clemson Tigers pulls in a touchdown reception against Eric Reid of the LSU Tigers during the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. Clemson won, 25-24. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Four Clemson players drafted:
Hopkins finished his Clemson career with 206 receptions for 3,020 yards and 27 touchdowns in three seasons, second in school history in receiving yards behind only Sammy Watkins. He recently completed his 12th season in the NFL while carving a potential Hall of Fame path for himself one day. Hopkins is 35 yards shy of 13,000 career NFL receiving yards.
Sammy Watkins of the Clemson Tigers catches a touchdown in the third quarter against Doran Grant of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Five Clemson players drafted:
Watkins holds the all-time Clemson record in receptions (240) and receiving yards (3,391). He is tied with Hopkins and Tee Higgins for most touchdown catches in program history with 27. Watkins also rushed 52 times for 339 yards and a touchdown in his three seasons with the Tigers. He finished his NFL career in 2022 with 364 catches and 5,384 yards in nine seasons.
Oct 4, 2014; Clemson, SC; Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley recovers a fumble and scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Five Clemson players drafted:
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson reacts during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nine Clemson players drafted:
Lawson played on the first Tigers team to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and led the nation in tackles for loss in 2015 before declaring for the draft after his junior season.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams catches a pass between Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Bart Boatwright/The Greenville News via USA TODAY Sports
Six Clemson players drafted:
One of the most decorated players in program history, Williams made 177 catches for 2,727 yards and 21 touchdowns in 42 games at Clemson. He made a sensational 26-yard catch on the Tigers’ game-winning drive to beat Alabama for national championship to cap the 2016 season, tormenting the Crimson Tide defense with eight catches for 94 yards.
Dec 2, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (6) reacts in the second quarter in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Three Clemson players drafted:
Jan 7, 2019; Santa Clara, CA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Clelin Ferrell celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game at Levi's Stadium. Clemson won, 44-16. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Six Clemson players drafted:
This loaded class produced two anchors on the defensive line in Lawrence and Wilkins. At Clemson, Wilkins finished his collegiate career with 250 tackles (41 for loss), 16 sacks, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 59 games.
Lawrence left Clemson with 162 tackles (20 for loss), 11 sacks and 43 quarterback pressures in 40 games. He’s developed into one of the best players in the NFL and is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl season.

Clemson safety Isaiah Simmons (11) celebrates with teammates during the ACC Championship game against Virginia at the Bank of America Stadium Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Jm Clemson 120719 021
Seven Clemson players drafted:
Simmons was the 2019 Butkus Award Winner at Clemson. He started 29 of 44 games in three years for the Tigers and recorded 237 tackles (28.5 for loss) and 9.5 sacks. After converting to safety a couple of years ago, Simmons completed his fifth NFL season in 2024 and played in all 17 games for the Giants.
Higgins recently re-signed with the Bengals after he made a career-high 10 touchdown catches in 2024. Cincinnati was 8-4 in games with Higgins and just 1-4 in games he missed. All told, the Clemson star made 73 catches (one shy of his career best) for 911 yards (12.5 AVG) in 2024.
Jan 7, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws in the pocket against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Five Clemson players drafted:
The winningest quarterback in Clemson history, Lawrence achieved hero status as a true freshman by leading the Tigers to a 44-16 rout of Nick Saban's 2018 Alabama team for the national championship. After that, he guided Clemson to a return trip to the CFP title game against a loaded LSU team before a CFP semifinal appearance in 2020 against Ohio State. In three years at Clemson, Lawrence was 34-2 as a starter.
Andrew Booth Jr. of the Clemson Tigers makes an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. Clemson won, 30-0. Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Two Clemson players drafted:
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy (98) sacks Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., October 2, 2021.
Six Clemson players drafted:
Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) smiles after breaking up a pass to South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor (8) during the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Clemson won 16-7. Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Six Clemson players drafted:
Wiggins became the 18th first-round selection of the Dabo Swinney era in 2024. In his rookie campaign with the Ravens, he made six starts while playing in 15 games. Wiggins turned his first career NFL interception into a 26-yard pick six against the Browns in Week 17. He finished his rookie season with 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble and 33 combined tackles.
Barrett Carter #0 of the Clemson Tigers reads the offense during the first half of a football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Three Clemson players drafted:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his teams 29-23 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday from Pittsburgh. Rounds 2-3 begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, with rounds 4-7 on Saturday starting at noon.
The NFL Draft will be televised on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football players under Dabo Swinney taken in the NFL Draft