This past draft was the first time since 2009 that the Clemson Tigers failed to have one of their players taken in the top 100 selections. The Tigers plan to begin a new streak with the 2026 NFL draft thanks to their superb defensive front. Kansas City Chiefs fans need to keep an eye on Clemson’s three top trench players.
Defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive tackles DeMonte Capehart and Peter Woods all aspire to earn top 100 picks. Parker and Woods are consensus first round projections this summer, while Capehart tends to project between the third and fourth rounds. The trio make up Clemson’s latest wave of star defensive linemen.
Woods is a rare talent. His combination of athleticism, explosiveness, natural leverage and power make him a likely top ten pick. Woods wins with speed-to-powerful or a devastating club-swim. He lacks elite arm length but uses heavy hands and his powerful leg drive to walk offensive linemen into the pocket. His agility and motor make him a significant contributor in run defense too.
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Parker isn’t as freaky as Woods. He lacks ideal bend in his hips to corner but has mastered a cross-chop that generates some quick wins. Parker’s mid-play acceleration helps him slingshot around offensive tackles. His bull rush is very inconsistent, but he converted speed to power for wins across several games in 2024. Parker’s run defense needs significant work.
Capehart is the opposite of Parker. His run defense is superb. The long-limbed college veteran easily stacks offensive linemen at the point of attack and violently sheds blockers before engulfing the running back. Capehart’s build and play strength make him a two-gapping menace capable of clogging interior run lanes. He occasionally posts pass rush wins with a devasting bull rush.
The other Tigers aren’t pushovers either. Purdue transfer Will Heldt led the Boilermakers’ defensive linemen in pressures and sacks in 2024, and returning pass rushers Jahiem Lawson and Cade Denhoff flashed last year. Heldt has some fans, but he’s not at the level of a meaningful prospect for the upcoming cycle. Lawson is a name to watch for 2027.
Clemson’s star trio along the program’s defensive line makes the unit one of the most talented in college football. The Tigers might produce two first round picks along the front and could see more flashy showings on the draft’s first night thanks to quarterback Cade Klubnik and cornerback Avieon Terrell.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Clemson Tigers defensive line