Four appearances in the College Football Playoff, two national championships and a runner-up finish have all been built around what could be a monumental draft class for Clemson football.
Upwards of a dozen – if not more – Tigers could hear their name called this April during the 2019 NF Draft, including a handful in the first round.
Everybody knows about the “Power Rangers,” Clemson’s vaunted defensive line that silenced Alabama in the national title game this past January. Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant are expected to be off the board early, along with the likes of Tre Lamar, Trayvon Mullen and Mitch Hyatt.
Since the NFL started hosting the draft, 243 Tigers have been selected, with the highest selection being No. 4. Banks McFadden in 1939, Gaines Adams in 2007 and Sammy Watkins in 2014 all went at that slot, a number that could be topped this year by Ferrell, who has graded out as one of the best prospects available.
In both the 1983 and 2006 drafts, a total of nine Clemson players were picked. Again, a number likely to be erased in the history books this spring. Last year, Dorian O’Daniel was picked in the third round, with both Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud going in the sixth from Clemson.
Here’s a look at where Clemson’s top prospects could be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft: