The Baltimore Ravens just pulled off a flat-out heist in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and nobody knows it better than Dabo Swinney.
When the Ravens called Adam Randall’s name at No. 174, you could practically hear Death Valley roar all the way from Baltimore. That pick wasn’t just another number—it was history. Randall became the ninth Tiger drafted this year, tying the all-time Clemson record from 2016. And if you listen to Coach Swinney, the rest of the NFL just made a mistake they’ll be regretting for years, letting a Myrtle Beach Tiger slip all the way to Day 3.
Hearing Dabo talk about his guys is always special, but when it comes to Randall, you can feel the pride pouring out of him. He laid it out plain and simple: Baltimore just landed a game-changer, and if I were a Ravens fan, I’d be ready to throw a parade down Pratt Street.
The Ultimate NFL Draft Steal
Tiger fans saw it firsthand: Randall didn’t just switch from wide receiver to running back—he owned it. He piled up 814 rushing yards, 254 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns, doing whatever the team needed. Coach Swinney knew that kind of versatility would keep NFL defensive coordinators up at night, and he made sure every front office heard about it.
"I think Adam Randall is one of the more unique players in this draft," Swinney said. "I told a couple of GMs before the draft that I think he's a steal. He's like getting three players with one pick because I think he's just scraping the surface of what he can do as a pro football player."
Three Players in One
People love to talk about "positionless" football, but Adam Randall is the real deal. He didn’t just handle the move to running back—he thrived, bringing that receiver swagger right into the heart of the action. And if you ask Dabo, this is just the start for one of the most dynamic Tigers we’ve seen.
"He's only played one year at running back, and he's just going to get better and better," Swinney raved. "He's got this great background as a receiver. He's a returner. He's got special teams value."
Unmatched Leadership and Character
But Randall is more than just a 4.50 guy or a stat sheet stuffer—he’s the heartbeat of Clemson. He fought through a torn ACL and a broken hand, never letting up, never losing that Tiger drive. Dabo made sure everyone knew: this is what a true Clemson man looks like.
"And then I just think he's one of the best leaders and people that you'll ever meet," Swinney continued. "He's a graduate. He's committed. He's a captain. He's loyal."
A Physical Freak Ready to "Skyrocket"
We’ve all watched Randall bulldoze linebackers and leave defensive backs in the dust. Now the Ravens are adding a Tiger-built physical freak to the AFC North, and Dabo couldn’t have described it better: this is what happens when you put a receiver’s hands and moves into a bruiser’s body.
"This guy is big, he's strong, he's powerful, really good change of direction, and has the ball skills of a wideout in a 230-something-pound body," Swinney explained. "I'm really excited about him because I think now that he's in the right position for his future, I just think he's going to continue to skyrocket."
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