In his updated 2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has cooled significantly on the Tigers' top-end talent. Three of Clemson's biggest defensive stars, all once considered locks for the top half of the first round, have taken a noticeable slide down his big board as the team's on-field performance has cratered.
The regression is a brutal sign that the program's failures are beginning to impact the professional futures—and earning potential—of its elite players.
Here's the breakdown from Kiper's latest board:
- CB Avieon Terrell: (Drops 6 spots to No. 23 Overall)
Terrell saw the "biggest fall" of the group. While Kiper still praises him as a "proven cover man" with great instincts, the slide is significant for a player who was once viewed as a potential top-15 pick. He remains Kiper's No. 2 cornerback. - DE T.J. Parker: (Drops 5 spots to No. 20 Overall)
The sophomore pass rusher's production has failed to match the preseason hype. Kiper acknowledged that while Parker's "athletic traits and relentless motor" stand out, the on-field dominance hasn't been there. Despite the drop, he is still considered the top outside linebacker prospect in the class. - DT Peter Woods: (Drops 1 spot to No. 6 Overall)
Woods, arguably Clemson's most consistent player, saw the smallest slide but is now clinging to a top-10 spot. Kiper maintains that Woods is the No. 1 defensive tackle in the class, lauding his "blend of power and quickness."
In a further sign of the team's offensive woes, no other Clemson player cracked the top 10 at their position. Wide receiver Antonio Williams, once seen as a premier pass-catcher, was relegated to an "honorable mention."
For a team that entered the season with national title hopes, the updated draft board is a harsh reflection of reality: the 2025 Clemson Tigers have gone from a factory for first-round locks to a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.