We are a couple of months removed from the 2025 NFL Draft and Clemson football didn't have a player selected until the fourth round as Barrett Carter went to the Bengals.
Clemson fans may not have to wait very long to hear the first Tiger selected in 2026.
In fact, there are about 4-5 legitimate first-round NFL Draft prospects currently on the roster and eligible to enter the 2026 process, led by Peter Woods, TJ Parker, and Cade Klubnik. On top of those three, I've seen some other projected as first-round picks like Avieon Terrell and Blake Miller.
But we can't forget Antonio Williams.
The talented receiver is entering his junior season after breaking out for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns on 75 receptions as a sophomore in 2024. He was one of the best receivers in the country and arguably the top in the ACC but he still has plenty to prove.
Williams needs to piece together two strong seasons in a row, and if he does, there's a good chance he could be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Don't believe me? Check out Pro Football Focus' top 10 wideouts in the 2026 draft class.
Top 10 Wide Receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft👀 pic.twitter.com/BOSnSWk9Zq
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 26, 2025
Williams comes in as the No. 5 receiver in the 2026 draft class, per PFF, behind only Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Eugene Wilson III, and Denzel Boston. While that may be slightly lower than I would have projected him, it's still nice to see him getting the respect he deserves.
Don't be surprised if Williams becomes a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.