Several Clemson Tigers Listed Among Top 2026 Draft Prospects

The 2025 NFL Draft is still a few months away, but ESPN took an early look ahead at next year’s NFL Draft.

ESPN recently highlighted the top names to know for the 2026 NFL Draft (subscription required), giving an early preview of the top three prospects at each position.

Among those top 2026 draft prospects are several Clemson stars, including Cade Klubnik.

The rising senior is listed among the top three quarterbacks in next year’s draft class, joining Penn State’s Drew Allar and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.

“Klubnik showed his NFL potential in Clemson’s first-round loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns,” ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller wrote. “That capped a season in which he passed for 3,636 yards, 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions with a QBR of 78.7 (11th in the FBS). The 6-2, 210-pound Klubnik doesn’t have the biggest arm, but he is accurate and savvy moving in and out of the pocket.”

One of Klubnik’s top targets, Antonio Williams, was named as one of the top three wide receivers in the 2026 draft class, along with South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor and Oregon’s Evan Stewart.

“Williams is my No. 1 returning receiver, possessing a blend of legitimate WR1 tools and production (75 catches, 904 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024),” Miller wrote. “Even though he’s only 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Williams’ ability to track the ball helps him play bigger, and he has sprinter-type speed that allows him to create yards after the catch.”

Meanwhile, Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Peter Woods were listed among the top three edge rushers and defensive tackles, respectively, in next year’s draft class.

“Parker will start the 2026 draft process as my No. 1 overall player after a breakout sophomore season. He had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles to anchor a talented Clemson defensive line and already has NFL-ready size at 6-3, 265 pounds,” Miller wrote.

“Woods reminds me a lot of former Clemson defensive tackle and current Raiders standout Christian Wilkins. The 6-3, 315-pound Woods is an ideal 3-technique in the NFL and has Round 1 potential. He had three sacks and 17 hurries as a sophomore this past season despite missing three games due to injury.”

Clearly, there could be plenty of Clemson flavor in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.