A recent mock draft from one national outlet is chock-full of Clemson Tigers.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports released a 2026 NFL mock draft that has five Tigers coming off the board in the first round, with three of them going among the top 10 overall picks.
Wilson projected Clemson defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods to each be drafted inside the top five.
His mock draft has Parker being taken by the New York Jets with the No. 3 overall pick, and Woods landing with the Tennessee Titans as the fifth overall selection.
“Parker looks long frame on tape (think James Pearce Jr.),” Wilson wrote. “He wins with both speed and power, is stout at the point vs. offensive tackles and is a high-motor, high-end athlete who is just going into Year 3. He is consistently disruptive.
“Woods plays with leverage, power and a low center of gravity. Flashes strong hands and can toss offensive linemen off-balance and shed blocks quickly to fill gaps and get to the ball-carrier.”
Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is also a top-10 pick in Wilson’s mock draft, with the Miami Dolphins using the No. 10 pick to take Williams.
“Williams was targeted 103 times in ’24, and while he had eight drops, he consistently wins off the line of scrimmage vs. physical corners, can get open at all three levels and has legit separation ability,” Wilson wrote. “He can play outside, in the slot and has punt-return ability.”
Meanwhile, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell went to the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 20 overall pick in Wilson’s mock draft.
“Has NFL bloodlines — his brother is former first-round pick A.J. Terrell,” Wilson wrote. “Avieon plays bigger than his listed size (see his matchup with former Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor). He can stay in phase on vertical routes and has good ball skills — he will try to bait the QB into making throws. In run support, he plays outside CB like he’s a strong safety.”
As for Clemson’s star quarterback and expected 2025 Heisman contender Cade Klubnik, Wilson has him going to the Los Angeles Rams with the 27th overall pick.
“Klubnik got better as the ’24 season progressed,” Wilson wrote. “While he’s not the biggest QB, he has a big arm and is one of the best deep-ball passers in this class. Good athlete who can win with his feet, he throws accurately to all three levels. If he continues to progress, he’ll be a first-rounder next April.”
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, and based on the early projections, including this one from Wilson, there could be heavy Clemson flavor in the draft with plenty of Tigers potentially hearing their names called early on.
Looking ahead to players Clemson is slated to face during the 2025 season, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is the No. 1 overall pick (New Orleans Saints) in Wilson’s mock draft, while LSU wide receiver Aaron Anderson is the No. 26 overall pick (Washington Commanders) and LSU receiver Nic Anderson is the No. 31 overall pick (Baltimore Ravens).
Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers is the No. 11 overall pick (Rams).
South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore is the No. 19 overall pick (Houston Texans), while South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is the 32nd overall pick (Jets).
