Clemson Tigers Dominate Early 2026 NFL Draft Boards – What Does This Mean for the ACC? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Clemson’s stranglehold on college football dominance isn’t just a thing of the past; it’s projecting far into the future – specifically, the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s draft gurus, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, just dropped their initial top-five positional rankings, and guess who’s all over it? Your Clemson Tigers!
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They’re not just represented; they’re the ONLY team with five players gracing both analysts’ lists. From a Heisman-contending quarterback to disruptive defensive linemen, Clemson is proving it’s a factory for top-tier NFL talent.
© Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Klubnik Leads the Charge: QB1 Status?
Let’s talk signal-callers. Cade Klubnik isn’t just on the list; he’s entering 2025 with the third-best Heisman Trophy odds in the nation, trailing only Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier. Coming off a monster 2024 season with 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, Klubnik is already turning heads in NFL circles.
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Both Miller and Reid have Klubnik penciled in as their top quarterback for the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s right, ahead of big names like Nussmeier, LaNorris Sellers, Drew Allar, and Fernando Mendoza. Is Klubnik destined to be the first quarterback off the board? The buzz is real.
Williams: Top Target or Close Second?
On the receiving end, Antonio Williams is making waves. Miller pegs him as his top wideout in the class, while Reid has him at a respectable third, behind USC’s Ja’Kobi Lane and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. Regardless, Williams is a major threat.
Coming off his best collegiate season with 75 catches for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns, Williams’ stock is soaring. And with the emergence of dynamic sophomores Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore, both with over 650 yards in 2024, the Clemson passing game looks absolutely stacked for 2025, which should only further boost Williams’ draft profile.
Defense Wins Championships… and Draft Spots!
While the offense is flashy, Clemson’s true draft gold might be on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher T.J. Parker are absolute monsters, with Reid mocking both into the top 10 of his initial 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Reid even lists Woods as his top defensive tackle and Parker as his second edge rusher (behind Auburn’s Keldric Faulk). Miller, however, is even higher on them, naming both as the best at their respective positionsin the entire draft class!
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This dynamic duo anchored the Clemson defensive line in 2024, with Parker racking up an insane 11 sacks and Woods snagging 3 sacks despite missing five games with a leg injury. If they stay healthy, 2025 could see them dominate even more.
Finally, rounding out Clemson’s impressive showing is cornerback Avieon Terrell. The younger brother of Falcons standout A.J. Terrell, Avieon is poised to be Clemson’s top corner this season. His 2 interceptions and 12 passes defended in 2024 highlight his lockdown potential, frequently turning his side of the field into a “no-fly zone.” Miller has him at No. 2, and Reid at No. 4, solidifying his status as a top-tier defensive back prospect.
With this kind of top-tier talent, both experienced veterans and emerging young stars like freshman running back Gideon Davidson and freshman defensive lineman Amare Adams, it’s no wonder the Tigers enter the 2025 season with the seventh-best odds to win the National Championship according to ESPN.
Is this the year Clemson not only contends for a national title but also floods the NFL Draft with its brightest stars? The early signs point to a resounding “YES!”
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.