- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 447,882
- Reaction score
- 44
CLEMSON — The 2025 NFL Draft is April 24-26, and Clemson football has seven players who have a shot to hear their names called in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Still, not every one of them will be drafted in the seven-round cycle. Some may go as high as the second round; others may go undrafted and sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams or other professional leagues.
Here's a breakdown of where the latest mock drafts have many of the players getting selected:
Carter, a 6-foot, 231-pound linebacker, is Clemson's top NFL prospect for 2025. He finished his college career with 233 tackles, including 12.5 sacks, 24 pass deflections, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 52 games, 40 of them starts. He ran 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day, which would have ranked in the top 15 of linebackers at the scouting combine.
Briningstool, 6-6, is a pass-catching tight end who recorded 49 receptions for 530 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with Clemson. He ran 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which ranked in the top 10 of tight ends, and is viable in run and pass blocking.
MORE: 2025 NFL draft: Projecting best landing spot for Clemson football players, including Phil Mafah
Mafah is a physical running back whose 6-0, 239-pound frame allows him to punish defenders in open space. He eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in 2024 and added eight touchdowns. A concern is his pass-catching ability, but as a runner, he carries sneaky acceleration to finish runs.
Mafah isn't projected to be picked, according to the latest mock drafts, but he did have a private individual workout Tuesday in front of teams after not participating in the NFL combine.
The 6-0, 199-pound safety has the size and length to adjust to the NFL. He also is an instinctual player who has solid pre- and post-snap anticipation. In his final season with Clemson, he logged 75 tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions. He also ran 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
The 6-3, 300-pound defensive tackle showed flashes last season, his first season as a starter, recording 32 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, two pass deflections and one interception. He possesses quickness and strength despite a lack of statistical production.
Tate had more than 2,500 offensive snaps in 42 games with Clemson. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed six sacks and committed seven penalties in his four-year Tigers career. Injuries are a concern for the 6-5, 332-pound offensive guard, who battled ailments in each of the past three seasons.
Swanson spent six seasons with Clemson, becoming its starting punter in 2022. He averaged 42.2 punting yards and has pinned 67 punts inside the 20-yard line in his career. At least one punter has been selected in the past seven drafts, but Swanson is not expected to join this exclusive club. He can pursue his NFL career by signing as an undrafted free agent and competing for a team's starting punter position.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Where former Tigers are projected in NFL mock drafts
Continue reading...
Still, not every one of them will be drafted in the seven-round cycle. Some may go as high as the second round; others may go undrafted and sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams or other professional leagues.
Here's a breakdown of where the latest mock drafts have many of the players getting selected:
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection
Carter, a 6-foot, 231-pound linebacker, is Clemson's top NFL prospect for 2025. He finished his college career with 233 tackles, including 12.5 sacks, 24 pass deflections, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 52 games, 40 of them starts. He ran 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day, which would have ranked in the top 15 of linebackers at the scouting combine.
- Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: Third round to the Houston Texans (No. 89 overall)
- Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball: Third round to the Baltimore Ravens (No. 91 overall)
- Matt Miller of ESPN: Third round to the New York Giants (No. 99 overall)
- Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News: Third round to the Los Angeles Rams (No. 101 overall)
- Chad Reuter of NFL.com: Fourth round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 121 overall)
Jake Briningstool NFL draft projection
Briningstool, 6-6, is a pass-catching tight end who recorded 49 receptions for 530 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with Clemson. He ran 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which ranked in the top 10 of tight ends, and is viable in run and pass blocking.
- Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News: Fourth round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 121 overall)
- DraftTek staff: Fifth round to the Miami Dolphins (No. 150 overall)
- Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball: Fifth round to the Green Bay Packers (No. 159 overall)
- Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: Sixth round to the Tennessee Titans (No. 178 overall)
- Matt Miller of ESPN: Sixth round to the Los Angeles Rams (No. 201 overall)
MORE: 2025 NFL draft: Projecting best landing spot for Clemson football players, including Phil Mafah
Phil Mafah NFL draft projection
Mafah is a physical running back whose 6-0, 239-pound frame allows him to punish defenders in open space. He eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in 2024 and added eight touchdowns. A concern is his pass-catching ability, but as a runner, he carries sneaky acceleration to finish runs.
Mafah isn't projected to be picked, according to the latest mock drafts, but he did have a private individual workout Tuesday in front of teams after not participating in the NFL combine.
RJ Mickens NFL draft projection
The 6-0, 199-pound safety has the size and length to adjust to the NFL. He also is an instinctual player who has solid pre- and post-snap anticipation. In his final season with Clemson, he logged 75 tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions. He also ran 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
- Matt Miller of ESPN: Fourth round to the Carolina Panthers (No. 111 overall)
- Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: Fourth round to the Miami Dolphins (No. 116 overall)
- Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News: Fifth round to the Carolina Panthers (No. 163 overall)
- Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball: Fifth round to the Seattle Seahawks (No. 175 overall)
- Ryan Wilson and Emory Hunt of CBS Sports: Sixth round to the Cleveland Browns (No. 200 overall)
Payton Page NFL draft projection
The 6-3, 300-pound defensive tackle showed flashes last season, his first season as a starter, recording 32 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, two pass deflections and one interception. He possesses quickness and strength despite a lack of statistical production.
- Matt Miller of ESPN: Sixth round to the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 181 overall)
Marcus Tate NFL draft projection
Tate had more than 2,500 offensive snaps in 42 games with Clemson. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed six sacks and committed seven penalties in his four-year Tigers career. Injuries are a concern for the 6-5, 332-pound offensive guard, who battled ailments in each of the past three seasons.
- Chad Reuter of NFL.com: Fifth round to the Baltimore Ravens (No. 176 overall)
- Matt Miller of ESPN: Seventh round to the Atlanta Falcons (No. 242 overall)
Aidan Swanson NFL draft projection
Swanson spent six seasons with Clemson, becoming its starting punter in 2022. He averaged 42.2 punting yards and has pinned 67 punts inside the 20-yard line in his career. At least one punter has been selected in the past seven drafts, but Swanson is not expected to join this exclusive club. He can pursue his NFL career by signing as an undrafted free agent and competing for a team's starting punter position.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Where former Tigers are projected in NFL mock drafts
Continue reading...
