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Clemson football players who could emerge as first-rounders in next year’s draft

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 3, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson corner back Andrew Booth Jr. (23) makes a on-handed interception on pass intended for Virginia wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. (81) during their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson corner back Andrew Booth Jr. (23) makes a on-handed interception on pass intended for Virginia wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. (81) during their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone, and there are many Clemson football players who are looking to make this season their ‘money year’ ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, which is now less than a year away.

We’ve talked quite a bit about the potential for first-rounders in the 2023 NFL Draft when D.J. Uiagalelei, Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee and Trenton Simpson all become eligible, but what about this upcoming year’s draft class?

There’s a reason that this Clemson football program has become known for putting immense talent in the league year-in and year-out and while there are some unknowns with those upper classmen who are trying to make their name known this season, no one can doubt the potential.

Potential first-rounders coming out of Clemson football in next year’s draft

Keep in mind: To be eligible for the draft, a player must have three years out of high school.

So, who are some of those guys who will be three years removed from high school following this season and potentially declaring for the NFL Draft?

Here’s an extensive list of players who might have a decision to make or who will be coming out:

  • WR Justyn Ross
  • WR Frank Ladson Jr.
  • WR Joseph Ngata
  • OT Jordan McFadden
  • OG Will Putnam
  • TE Braden Galloway
  • DT Tyler Davis
  • DE Xavier Thomas
  • DE KJ Henry
  • DE Justin Foster
  • DE Justin Mascoll
  • LB James Skalski (no years of eligibility remaining)
  • S Nolan Turner (no years of eligibility remaining)
  • S Lannden Zanders
  • CB Mario Goodrich
  • CB Andrew Booth Jr.
  • CB Sheridan Jones

Now, out of this list, there are only two guys who for sure have to leave and that’s James Skalski and Justin Mascoll. Everyone else on the list technically has at least one more year of eligibility- some two- because of the free year granted by the NCAA.

For example, Booth Jr.- who is a true junior this year- still has three years of eligibility remaining counting 2021. But he will be eligible to head to the NFL Draft- if he chooses- following this season.

So, who out of this list could develop into a first-round pick?

Here’s our short list:

These are the three guys we’d be watching most heavily if Tiger fans are looking for players who’ll be first-round draft picks who’ll likely declare after this season comes to an end.

There are others who could have a major season and put themselves in position if they had a superb season- like Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry, Lannden Zander, Sheridan Jones or Braden Galloway- but it’s going to take just that for them to put their name in that kind of conversation.

We’re going to look at this list more extensively over the coming months as we progress towards the start of the season for Clemson, but for now we’ll leave it at this: I truly expect emergence from Ross and Booth Jr. for sure this season and there’s something about Tyler Davis and his consistency that could show first-round potential this year, as well.

dark. Next. Top 2022 recruiting targets heading into the summer

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