Long projected as a first-round lock, former Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell eventually fell to Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft and was ultimately selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round with the No. 48 overall pick.
The two-time All-ACC selection slipped out of the first round primarily due to a nagging hamstring injury that limited his pre-draft process, testing and private pro day. However, his slide ended up being a major boon for the Falcons, who didn’t own a first-round pick this year and instead used their initial pick on Terrell in Round 2.
CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt is certainly high on Atlanta’s pick of Terrell and is among those who believe he was a big steal for the Falcons in April’s draft.
“He was my No. 2 boundary corner,” Hunt said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. “I thought he was gonna go in Round 1, so even without the first-round pick, the Falcons got a first-round talent in Round 2.”
A 2025 All-American and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, Terrell was credited with 128 tackles (nine for loss), 30 pass breakups, three interceptions, four sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 39 games (31 starts) in his career as a Tiger from 2023-25.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and a career (eight), and he led all cornerbacks nationally in forced fumbles across his Clemson career.
Hunt is fond of Terrell’s game, skill set and what he’ll bring to the table in the ATL.
“I love the fact that he’s able to play off quick, close, go and drive on the football,” Hunt said. “He gambles a little bit, but I’d rather you gamble and make plays. And yeah, you’ll give up a few, but I like the fact that he’s aggressive out there.”
Not only is Terrell getting to play in the NFL for his hometown team as an Atlanta native, but he also gets to play with his older brother – former Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell, an All-Pro in 2021, who is entering his seventh season with the Falcons.
With Avieon now in the fold, Hunt thinks the Falcons boast the strongest secondary in the NFC South Division.
“I love the fact that they continue to build on a strong secondary,” he said. “This secondary, I feel like, is the best in the NFC South. They have tremendous talent from corner, slot corner to both safeties. This is a very good secondary, and they got better with Terrell.”
Avieon signed a four-year rookie contract estimated at $10.4 million in total value.
Avieon became Clemson’s ninth all-time NFL Draft selection by the Falcons, the 20th defensive back drafted in Dabo Swinney’s head coaching tenure and the 17th Clemson defensive back selected in the first two rounds in the Common Draft era.