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Justyn Ross and the 7 best Clemson NFL Draft prospects with most to gain this season

By Brad Berreman

Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.(23) stretches during football practice in Clemson, S.C. Friday, March 5, 2021.Clemson Spring Football Practice
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.(23) stretches during football practice in Clemson, S.C. Friday, March 5, 2021.Clemson Spring Football Practice /
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Justyn Ross and the 7 best Clemson NFL Draft prospects with the most to gain this season as the Tigers look to have multiple first-round picks again.

With their run of success under Dabo Swinney, the Clemson football program sends multiple players to the NFL every year. This year’s No. 1 pick, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the first of two first-round picks from the program, with running back Travis Etienne following him.

As Jeff Benedict from Rubbing The Rock reminded us, Clemson has had at least one first-round pick all but one year (2018) since 2013. At least two first-round picks have come from the program in five of those years now, including the last three in a row.

The Clemson program record for players taken in one NFL draft is 10, in 1983. The 2022 draft-eligible class is in line to approach that record.

Despite the losses of Lawrence, Etienne and three others (two wide receivers) in last month’s NFL Draft, Swinney’s squad will be on the top teams in college football again this year. Among what could be a bushel of drafted players, here are the top five draft prospects to watch for Clemson looking to the 2022 NFL Draft.

The 7 best Clemson NFL Draft prospects to watch this fall

7. Tyler Davis, defensive tackle

Davis only played in seven games last season, so his numbers didn’t stand out (14 total tackles, two sacks). But in 2019, he did make a significant impact with 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and 45 total tackles.

On their list of most intriguing 2022 draft prospects from each of the top teams in college football, ESPN’s David Hale tabbed Davis.

"The defensive line is a legacy position at Clemson, from William Perry to Gaines Adams to Vic Beasley to Christian Wilkins. Next up on the assembly line is defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who could easily push his way into the top 10 draft prospects in the country with a strong 2021 season."

6. Nolan Turner, safety

Turner is back for a sixth year at Clemson. He has had an impressive career already, with six interceptions, 134 total tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss over the last three seasons. In 2020, he earned second-team All-American honors for USA TODAY and AFCA. Turner is among the top safety prospects to watch this year, as a pillar of consistency for the Tigers’ defense.

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