With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the focus has turned to next year’s draft, with plenty of pundits already releasing way-too-early mock drafts for 2025.

Clemson’s Barrett Carter has unsurprisingly popped up in some of those early mocks, and ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller recently weighed in on the rising senior linebacker.

During an appearance on ACC Network’s ACC PM show, Miller discussed Carter as a first-round talent from the ACC in the 2025 NFL Draft.

A 2022 All-American, Carter was considered a top linebacker prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft entering last season before shocking many after the season – including Miller – by deciding to return for his upcoming senior campaign with the Tigers.

“Clemson’s going to have a bounce-back next year, and I think that starts with Barrett Carter, the linebacker. I was surprised he didn’t get in the draft,” Miller said. “I applaud him for doing that. I think it’s always a smart decision to go back to school, improve your draft stock.

“But I’m looking for weakside linebackers in the NFL who can make plays – that is Barrett Carter. Especially when you go back to that 2022 tape, he was unstoppable. And I know this past year, maybe things didn’t go the way they wanted defensively, but he is a weapon. I cannot wait to see what he does in his final season for the Tigers. But when I do a way-too-early list, he’s on it.”

As a second-team All-ACC selection in 2023, Carter ranked second on the team in tackles (67) and tallied 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery over 12 games (all starts).

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder enters the 2024 season credited with 170 tackles (21.0 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over 38 career games (26 starts).

On the other side of the ball, Miller mentioned rising junior quarterback Cade Klubnik as another player from Clemson who could see his draft stock rise during the 2024 season.

A former five-star prospect and former Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, Klubnik struggled at times during his first full season as Clemson’s starter in 2023, but also flashed potential during a year in which he finished with a 64 percent completion percentage, 2,844 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with nine interceptions.

“You know, on the other side for them, Cade Klubnik was someone not that long ago, we thought hey, here’s the heir apparent to Trevor Lawrence, he’s a top prep quarterback,” Miller said. “The career the first two years has not gone I think the way he expected. It certainly hasn’t gone the way I expected for him at Clemson. But we’ve seen time and time again, experience at the quarterback position matters so much. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a big bounce back-year and Klubnik really starts to climb the quarterback boards over the course of the season.”

Klubnik heads into next season having completed 351-of-554 career passes (63.4 percent) for 3,541 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 23 games (14 starts). The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has also rushed for 321 yards and six touchdowns on 167 career carries.

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24–26, 2025.

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!