It is never too early to start prepping for the 2026 NFL Draft, especially since the Philadelphia Eagles are loaded with thirteen 2026 draft picks. If you need a starting point, there is not a team in college football that has as many potential top 150 players in the NFL Draft as Clemson, and that list includes a whopping four potential first-rounders and another inside the top 50.
This is the first of my College NFL Summer Scouting series. I am excited to see which players increase their draft stock during the 2025 season!
Tier One: First Round Potential
TJ Parker, Edge (Top 5)
Non-stop motor, abusive hands, forcing fumbles with impeccable timing, and sets the edge versus the run. TJ will be only 21 this season, yet he displays elite football awareness for his age; he dictates the OL, not the other way around. He has an advanced pass-rushing plan, exudes spatial awareness, offers versatility, and can excel standing up and with a hand in the dirt. He plays with controlled violence. Parker produces against the best of the best. He is currently a top 5 player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cade Klubnik, QB (Top 10)
Cade throws one of the best deep balls in college football, especially on the move. He is a dual-threat QB who showcases excellent speed, and really good feet in the pocket, which he uses to extend plays and slip in and out from would-be tacklers.
A master of staying calm under pressure, Klubnik Excels with a quick release and identifying the coverage pre-snap. An extra season to hone his skills should benefit his draft stock, as he has already shown he is successful competing against the best competition in college football. As with almost every quarterback, where and who is drafted to will play a significant role in their development in the NFL.
An offense like the Eagles that has designed QB runs, mobile athletic OLs who can transition in the pocket, and a scheme with vertical options, and spreading out the receivers would be a comfortable landing spot that he could flourish in.
Peter Woods, DL (top 10)
An electric first step off the line that allows him to penetrate the backfield or blow up a play before it gets a chance to develop. Peter is versatile on the line, can set the edge if asked, and maintains gaps. His violent, active hands are elite, and he can rock opposing OLs to the ground, and his strong core and lower body allow him to put OLs on skates as he plows into the QB.
Woods has exhibited excellent pre-snap instincts, identifies screens with ease, and is great at knowing when to turn power into speed and vice versa. He has shown a plethora of pass-rushing moves, including a powerful bull rush, swipe, swim, and chop. Peter has the raw talent to be a perennial Pro Bowl talent who could be a foundational piece for an NFL defense for many years. To see his ability to dominate, watch his performance against UVA.
Avieon Terrell, CB (top 25)
Terrell is a fluid mover with great ball skills, good closing speed, elite timing, bloodlines (his brother is AJ Terrell), and is uber-athletic. His ball-tracking ability is similar to that of a wide receiver, and his tenacity versus the run is reminiscent of a strong safety. He attacks ball carriers with ferocity and causes turnovers, with 3 forced fumbles in 2024.
Avieon has proven his versatility by excelling in both man and zone coverage. I loved watching him attack wideouts on the line and showing off his excellent recovery skills when a WR breaks off the line. Terrell has big play ability on the defense and as a kick or punt returner. His size will create doubters, but his film will win most over.
Tier Two: Day Two
Antonio Williams, WR (50-75)
Antonio is a consistent receiver who has hauled in a reception in all 33 games he has played with the Tigers. Williams has shown great footwork, resulting in separation that allows his hands and wide catch radius to haul in completions. He’s a twitchy athlete who uses head fakes and deceptive escapability to move the chains and get down the field more than off-the-charts 40 speed.
Williams gets off the line to release well and routinely finds soft spots in the coverage. His route running, contested catch ability, and elite body control make him an intriguing option. If he cleans up the drops, he will move higher on this list. He can also assist in punt return while he hones his craft on an NFL roster.
Tier Three: Day Three
Blake Miller, OT (Top 100)
6’6, 315, durable, reliable, and versatile enough to play either tackle spot. Miller is a very fluid OT who is flexible and smooth, especially for someone his size. He has shown a mean streak in the running game, where he pushes DTs back and drives them into the ground.
Miller demonstrates spatial awareness and uses angles to his advantage in pass-pro. Blake is also a quick processor who receives and handles communication well. He has never missed a start for the Tigers. His technique, agility, size, dependability, and versatility should have him as a day-two draft prospect if he can lower his allowed pass rush rate, which he has improved year over year.
Wade Woodaz, LB (125-150)
One of the more intriguing players to watch on the Tigers this season. Woodaz can play any of the linebacker positions and do it well. Wade is a converted safety who displays excellent speed, hands, a high football IQ, and a knack for making big plays and creating turnovers. Wade is one of the more vocal team leaders for the Tigers and takes pride in setting the defensive fronts. This is a player who can skyrocket up draft boards.
DeMonte Capehart, DT (125-150)
His potential is off the charts. Once he shows consistency at maintaining leverage, he could rocket up draft boards. Capehart has the tools to succeed in the NFL. DeMonte is an athletic and powerful lineman who uses his hands well, can create interior pressure, sheds blocks, and can be used all over the D line. He was not credited for missing a tackle in 2024. His 6’5, 315-pound frame eats space, and once his raw intangibles become more refined, he will be one of the better DLs available in the 2026 NFL Draft for a team looking to add to their trenches or an NT. A physical goal-line stuffer!
Khalil Barnes, Safety (150)
Barnes has swag! He is an uber-physical safety who is looking for the knockout blow on any receiver brave enough to go over the middle. If he improves his tackling techniques, he could do the same with his draft stock. His ability to get to the QB off the edge blitzing is exciting, and will also be watched by NFL teams this season. His physicality, strong hands, and fluid hips are traits that DB coaches love to coach up. He can play both Safety and NCB.
Tristan Leigh, OT (175)
At 6’6, 315 pounds, Leigh has the size NFL teams look for from College OTs. Tristan is an athletic OL who has the frame to add more strength, the versatility to play all over the line, the athleticism to be coached up, and the attitude and aggression to make an NFL roster. Having a lot more snaps and starts under his belt will go a long way towards making it to the NFL.
Colin Sadler, OL/LG (200)
Versatile, has played T and G. Quick feet breaking off the LOS, frames up well in pass pro, moves well overall, good body type. Needs to get stronger.
Others To Watch:
Cade Denhoff, Edge
Another Clemson Tiger with a high motor and an above-average first step. Cade has shown strong, active hands in close quarters, and his long arms allow him to elude and shed blocks as he makes his way to the QB or ball carrier. If he develops in the run game to set the edge consistently and plays more physical, he could be a player who ascends his draft stock.
Walker Parks, G
Parks is 6’5, 302, and has an above-average first step off the snap. Shows the quickness to get to the 2nd level for run blocking. His development in pass pro will determine his draft status.
Ryan Linthicum, Center
Will Heidt, Defensive End
Shelton Lewis, DB
Jeremiah Alexander, LB/Edge
Jeadyn Lukus, CB.
The only thing holding him back has been injuries. He is a sleeper player for this team in class.
As always, thank you for reading!
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Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
