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.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft expected to feature multiple Clemson players
Eight Tigers included in ESPN's final mock draft
T.J. Parker and Blake Miller projected as first-round picks
Clemson had a disappointing 7-6 season in 2025
Draft begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh
Mentioned in this story
Pittsburgh
Dabo SwinneyT.J. ParkerBlake MillerPeter Woods
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.
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.
Clemson football players taken in 2010 NFL Draft
Q&A
How many Clemson players are projected to be drafted in 2026?
ESPN's final mock draft includes eight Clemson players projected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Who are the top Clemson prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The top prospects include T.J. Parker and Blake Miller, who are projected as first-round picks.
What was Clemson's performance in the 2025 season?
Clemson had a disappointing 7-6 season after starting with a No. 4 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.
Where will the 2026 NFL Draft take place?
The 2026 NFL Draft will begin in Pittsburgh.
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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)
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)
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 football players taken in 2011 NFL Draft
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
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
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)
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)
DB Coty Sensabaugh: 4th round, 115th overall pick by Tennessee Titans
Clemson football players taken in 2013 NFL Draft
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)
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)
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.
Clemson football players taken in 2014 NFL Draft
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)
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)
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.
Clemson football players taken in 2015 NFL Draft
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
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:
LB Vic Beasley: 1st round, 8th overall pick by Atlanta Falcons
DL Grady Jarrett: 5th round, 137th overall pick by Falcons
P Bradley Pinion: 5th round, 165th overall pick by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Tony Steward: 6th round, 188th overall pick by Buffalo Bills
Clemson football players taken in 2016 NFL Draft
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
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:
DE Shaq Lawson: 1st round, 19th overall pick by Buffalo Bills
DE Kevin Dodd: 2nd round, 33rd overall pick by Tennessee Titans
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.
Clemson football players taken in 2017 NFL Draft
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
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
RB Wayne Gallman: 4th round, 140th overall pick by New York Giants
DL Carlos Watkins: 4th round, 142nd overall pick by Texans
TE Jordan Leggett: 5th round, 150th overall pick by New York Jets
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.
Clemson football players taken in 2018 NFL Draft
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
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
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
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:
DE Clelin Ferrell: 1st round, 4th overall pick by Oakland Raiders
DL Christian Wilkins: 1st round, 13th overall pick by Miami Dolphins
DT Dexter Lawrence: 1st round, 17th overall pick by New York Giants
CB Trayvon Mullen: 2nd round, 40th overall pick by Raiders
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 football players taken in 2020 NFL Draft
