CLEMSON — Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft saw Clemson make a little bit of history but also continue with the standard that has made it one of the top college football programs in the country.

The Tigers had two former players taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as offensive tackle Blake Miller went No. 17 overall to the Detroit Lions, while defensive tackle Peter Woods was selected No. 29 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Miller, of course, was the story of the night. The right tackle is the first Clemson offensive lineman selected in the first round in the Common Draft era, which was instituted jointly by the AFL and NFL in 1967.

Miller is also the first Clemson offensive lineman selected in the first round in any NFL Draft since 1960, when the New York Giants selected Lou Cordileone with the No. 12 overall selection in the first round.

“Blake Miller is one of one,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said in a press release from Clemson Athletic Communications. “I’ve never really had one like him. On the offensive line, I’ve had second-rounders, third-rounders, fourth-rounders, every round you can think, but he’s my first first-round offensive lineman, and, boy, is he worthy.”

The highest offensive line selection from Clemson in the Common Draft era prior to Thursday night came in 1971. That year, guard Dave Thompson joined the Lions with the No. 30 overall selection, a slot that would be a first-round pick in the present-day NFL Draft, but it represented the fourth pick of the second round during the 26-team era.

“They’re getting a true professional in every sense. He consistently takes care of his business from his physical preparation and nutrition to his approach to the game,” Clemson offensive line coach Matt Luke said. “His durability and commitment are unmatched, having played in 54 consecutive games without missing one, and missing only two practices over four years.

“Blake is an exceptional person and an outstanding player, making him a very low-risk addition. He will be a leader both in the locker room and in the community. He’s an all-around high-character individual and competitor.”

Miller’s and Woods’ first-round selections marked the seventh time under head coach Dabo Swinney, and the ninth overall, that Clemson has had multiple first-round selections in an NFL Draft.

The Tigers also did it in the 1979 NFL Draft, 1982, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. Of course, in 2019, Clemson produced three first-round picks in a single draft for the first time in school history.

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (No. 4 to the Raiders), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (No. 13 to the Dolphins) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (No. 17 to the Giants) all went in the first round from Clemson’s 2018 national championship squad. It marked the first time in NFL Draft history that a single school produced three players selected as defensive linemen in the first round of a single draft.

Swinney teams have produced 20 first-round picks, second-most among active coaches. He and Georgia’s Kirby Smart (21) are now the only active coaches in the nation to have produced 20 or more first-round draft picks in their head coaching careers.

Clemson has produced 60 draft picks in the College Football Playoff era, tied for seventh-most in the nation.

Clemson has had at least one first-round draft choice in 11 of the last 14 years, standing alongside Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State as the only programs to produce a first-round pick in at least 11 of the last 14 years.

Since 2013, Clemson has produced first-round picks from the QB, RB, WR, OL, DE, DT, LB and DB position groups. The only other schools with at least one first-rounder at all those positions in that span is Alabama and Ohio State.

Clemson has had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft in 24 consecutive years, tying the school record set across the 1951-’74 NFL Drafts.