Could multiple members of Clemson’s 2026 NFL Draft class be in the Rookie of the Year conversation this coming season?

ESPN’s Ben Solak ranked 2026 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates, and a couple of Tigers appeared in the “way-too-early” rankings – one on offense, and the other on the defensive side of the ball.

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is listed among “the longer shots” to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, or some players selected outside the first round who Solak believes have the best shot to win Rookie of the Year.

Williams was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick.

“A schematic overhaul is underway in Washington, where the old Kliff Kingsbury college offense has been shed for a Ben Johnson-inspired system that gets under center and hunts explosive plays off play-action,” Solak wrote. “For that offense, which desperately needs a pass catcher opposite Terry McLaurin, the front office handpicked Williams, one of my favorite players in this class. Williams has some Amon-Ra St. Brown to his game since he’s as tough as nails, willing to win downfield throws through contact and slippery in his routes. I would not be surprised if he starts getting more targets than McLaurin by season’s end.”

Overall, Williams ranks 12th (and last) in Solak’s Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate rankings.

Meanwhile, Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods is listed by Solak among players who were selected in Round 1 who are “long shots” to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Kansas City Chiefs took Woods with the 29th overall pick.

“I’m willing to get totally wild and draw a world in which Chris Jones draws all the double teams, Steve Spagnuolo continues to blitz at a high rate and Woods collects a ton of behind-the-line production as a cleanup man,” Solak. “It’s not at all likely, but for most defensive tackles drafted at No. 29, I would tell you there’s no shot. Woods is a great penetrator, and the environment is right in Kansas City.”

Overall, Woods ranks 11th in Solak’s Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate rankings.

Woods enters the NFL ranks after earning All-America recognition for his junior campaign in 2025. He was Clemson’s first AP All-American at defensive tackle since Christian Wilkins in 2018, and he finished his Clemson career with 99 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, two forced fumbles  andtwo pass breakups over 35 games (24 starts) from 2023-25. He also scored two rushing touchdowns as a contributor on offense.

Williams was a two-time All-ACC selection who recorded 2,336 yards and 21 touchdowns on 208 career receptions over 43 games (38 starts) from 2022-25. He exited Clemson ranked fourth in school history in career receptions and tied with Mike Williams for the fourth-most career touchdown receptions in school annals.

Could multiple members of Clemson’s 2026 NFL Draft class be in the Rookie of the Year conversation this coming season?

ESPN’s Ben Solak ranked 2026 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates, and a couple of Tigers appeared in the “way-too-early” rankings – one on offense, and the other on the defensive side of the ball.

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is listed among “the longer shots” to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, or some players selected outside the first round who Solak believes have the best shot to win Rookie of the Year.

Williams was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick.

“A schematic overhaul is underway in Washington, where the old Kliff Kingsbury college offense has been shed for a Ben Johnson-inspired system that gets under center and hunts explosive plays off play-action,” Solak wrote. “For that offense, which desperately needs a pass catcher opposite Terry McLaurin, the front office handpicked Williams, one of my favorite players in this class. Williams has some Amon-Ra St. Brown to his game since he’s as tough as nails, willing to win downfield throws through contact and slippery in his routes. I would not be surprised if he starts getting more targets than McLaurin by season’s end.”

Overall, Williams ranks 12th (and last) in Solak’s Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate rankings.

Meanwhile, Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods is listed by Solak among players who were selected in Round 1 who are “long shots” to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Kansas City Chiefs took Woods with the 29th overall pick.

“I’m willing to get totally wild and draw a world in which Chris Jones draws all the double teams, Steve Spagnuolo continues to blitz at a high rate and Woods collects a ton of behind-the-line production as a cleanup man,” Solak. “It’s not at all likely, but for most defensive tackles drafted at No. 29, I would tell you there’s no shot. Woods is a great penetrator, and the environment is right in Kansas City.”

Overall, Woods ranks 11th in Solak’s Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate rankings.

Woods enters the NFL ranks after earning All-America recognition for his junior campaign in 2025. He was Clemson’s first AP All-American at defensive tackle since Christian Wilkins in 2018, and he finished his Clemson career with 99 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, two forced fumbles  andtwo pass breakups over 35 games (24 starts) from 2023-25. He also scored two rushing touchdowns as a contributor on offense.

Williams was a two-time All-ACC selection who recorded 2,336 yards and 21 touchdowns on 208 career receptions over 43 games (38 starts) from 2022-25. He exited Clemson ranked fourth in school history in career receptions and tied with Mike Williams for the fourth-most career touchdown receptions in school annals.