The first Clemson Tiger in the 2024 NFL Draft has come off the board.

With a tantalizing combination of length, range and blazing speed to go with his physicality, instincts and competitive nature, there was hardly any doubt leading up to the draft that Nate Wiggins’ talent was first-round worthy.

The only question for the former Clemson star and elite cover cornerback was exactly when he would hear his named called in this year’s draft.

The Baltimore Ravens gave that answer late in the first round on Thursday night, taking Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick.

Following a historic run of 14 straight offensive players taken to start the draft, Wiggins ended up being the third cornerback drafted, behind Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell (Philadelphia Eagles, No. 22 overall selection) and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold (Detroit Lions, No. 24 overall).

Wiggins becomes the 39th first-round selection in Clemson history, and he is the 18th first-rounder produced by the Tigers in the Dabo Swinney era.

Wiggins’ selection makes it 10 out of the last 12 years in which Clemson has had at least one player taken in the first round.

Wiggins blossomed into a first-team All-ACC pick in his third season at Clemson in 2023 and ran a blistering 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The 6-foot-1, 173-pounder finished his Clemson career credited with 50 tackles (3.0 for loss), 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, a sack and a blocked field goal over 34 games (18 starts) from 2021-23.

Last season, Wiggins tallied 25 tackles (one for loss), a team-high nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one sack and two interceptions across 10 games (seven starts).

Wiggins scored touchdowns of 98 yards (an ACC Championship Game record) and 46 yards on pick-sixes in 2022 and 2023 respectively, becoming the first Clemson player since Rex Varn in 1977-78 to score on an interception return in back-to-back seasons.

With Wiggins’ selection, Clemson has now produced six first-round picks in the secondary since 1983.

Prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ravens had never selected a player from Clemson, but have now picked a Tiger in back-to-back drafts after taking linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round last year (86th overall).

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!