The 2019 Clemson football senior class is one of the most decorated classes in the history of CFB. Here are five seniors with a bright NFL future.
The 2019 Clemson football senior class will run down the hill one final time Saturday against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The class currently holds an overall record of 51-3 and they are just five wins away from becoming the all-time leader in victories in CFB history. A win over the Demon Deacons would put the group in fourth place all-time in wins, just behind 2018 Clemson and Alabama (55) and 2017 Alabama (53).
This 2019 Clemson football senior class has lost just one game in Death Valley during its tenure and the group holds several impressive accolades, including two National Championships, four-straight trips to the CFB Playoff, four-straight ACC Championships and a perfect record against in-state rival South Carolina- with one more opportunity coming up against the Gamecocks in a couple of weeks.
The Clemson football faithful will honor this senior class as they each run down the hill individually one last time, but it won’t be the last time we see them. There are 19 total who will be honored.
Even after this season comes to an end and they officially retire their orange, purple and white, we will still see plenty of these Clemson football players continue their respective careers at the next level.
Here are five seniors who have a bright NFL career following the 2019 season.
5. K’Von Wallace
K’Von Wallace won’t be drafted highly, but an NFL organization is going to give the talented safety a look.
Wallace has made a constant impact in the back-end of Clemson’s defense for the past few years and he has consistently improved.
Though there have been times when you look at film where he’s out of position, we’ve seen those instances drop immensely over the course of his career. Wallace has a good blend of size and athleticism to make an impact at the next level.
When you combine that with his character and leadership abilities, he could certainly land a position in the NFL.
4. Chad Smith
Chad Smith gave himself an opportunity with his performance this season.
While Smith still has plenty of areas to improve upon, he has been all over the field this season and has the attention of many NFL scouts.
It’s not likely that he’ll test well at combine-type events, but Smith makes up for it with his physicality and football IQ.
He’s deceptively athletic and there’s certainly a chance that he could develop into a solid linebacker at the next level.
3. Gage Cervenka
Many people and analysts are sleeping on Gage Cervenka in terms of an NFL prospect.
Though Cervenka has struggled at times this season with false starts, that has nothing to do with his skill and ability.
Cervenka isn’t just a talented offensive guard, he’s the strongest player on the team and one of the strongest offensive linemen in the nation.
Look for his draft stock to rise following pro-day when he gets on the bench press. A franchise will take a shot on Cervenka because of that raw power and he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself sooner rather than later.
2. John Simpson
John Simpson has an opportunity to be one of the top offensive guards taken in the NFL Draft this coming spring.
Simpson has been a leader for that Clemson offensive unit and he’s going to take those traits, as well as his explosiveness and strength to the next level.
Though Simpson is likely projected as a mid-to-late rounder, he’ll have the opportunity to get in the mix and become a mainstay in some franchise’s offensive line for the foreseeable future.
1. Isaiah Simmons (RS Junior)
In terms of Clemson football players being honored on Saturday, we all know who the prime-time NFL Draft prospect is of the group.
Isaiah Simmons hasn’t just proven that he has the skill to play at the next level this season, he has proven to be one of the top-two best defensive players in the country.
His versatility is off the charts. Simmons is freakishly athletic, but also possesses great power and physicality.
As of now, Simmons is projected to be a top-15 draft pick and that number will likely rise once we get to the NFL combine. Simmons can run just as fast as any running back in the country, but also has the strength and power to match any linebacker.
That amount of versatility, skill, explosiveness and athleticism will vault him into the top-10 and he very well could end up being a top-5 pick before it’s all said and done.