NEW ORLEANS – Clemson is gearing up for its third consecutive College Football Playoff, one game away from its third straight national championship game.

As the Tigers gear up for the rubber match with Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, The Clemson Insider learned many draft eligible players received their draft grades from NFL scouts.

The grades gave an idea about how they will fare in the 2018 NFL draft if they choose to leave Clemson and pursue a career in professional football.

While most players admitted to seeing their draft grades, the Tiger players made it abundantly clear on Saturday morning at Sugar Bowl Media Day in the Superdome that their complete focus is on their opponent the Crimson Tide.

During the availability Saturday morning, The Clemson Insider spoke exclusively with draft eligible juniors Christian Wilkins, Deon Cain, Clelin Ferrell, Kendall Joseph, Austin Bryant, and Van Smith.

One player who has yet to see his grades but likes the thought of playing at the next level is Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain. He has scored nine touchdowns while racking up 659 yards receiving this season.

Cain has not seen his draft grades yet but will be comfortable with whatever grade comes his way.

“I haven’t got mine back I’ll have to go ask about that,” Cain said. “Either first or second round but it really doesn’t matter, I’m just looking for an opportunity to get in the door. That’s all I’m really looking for,” he said.

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has tremendous NFL upside according to many pundits and scouts but did not want to talk about anything other than the matchup at hand.

“I’m not focused on that or even paying attention to that. I’m focused on making the most of my time here and this game trying to win the College Football Playoff,” Wilkins told the Clemson Insider Saturday morning.

“I wanna make the most of the time with my guys because the guys make my experience at Clemson so great,” he said.

Linebacker Kendall Joseph did not want to elaborate either responding bluntly to questions about the future.

It’s something I will talk about after the season is over,” said Joseph. “You want to put yourself in a good position and if not you want to come back,” he said.

Other Tigers like Clelin Ferrell and Van Smith got their grades back but have yet to look at them because their attention is devoted solely to the Crimson Tide.

Smith wants to “give 110%” regardless of what NFL scouts think of him and wants to prove himself on the field during this College Football Playoff.

Ferrell plans to look at all variables with his family and a trusted group after the season to get the best opinion on what direction he might go with his future.

“I won’t have a lot of time to make a decision but I’ll have other people whose opinions I value like my family and coaches going over decisions for the draft to see if I’m ready,” Ferrell told The Clemson Insider.

Defensive end Austin Bryant was pleased with the report he got back but has not had much time to give thought to his future.

“I feel good, I haven’t made a decision on what I am going to do yet, there is plenty of time for that after the season right now I’m focusing on the next game and trying to get to the game following that,” Bryant told The Clemson Insider.

Draft eligible Tigers will have time to think about the future after the season but right now they have a difficult task at hand as they face the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in the Superdome.