The NFL Draft concluded its first round close to midnight, and the first Clemson Football player came off the board shortly before that.
Nate Wiggins was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 30th pick, and opinions were quick to come in.
Robert Griffin III got to watch Wiggins personally while calling multiple Clemson games over the past two seasons. RGIII compared Wiggins’s speed to Deion Sanders and felt he would be a good fit for the Ravens’ defense.
The @Ravens like playing a ton of man coverage and Nate Wiggins can do that with the best of them. Catch up speed that reminds you of Deion Sanders with the feet, hips and fluidity to play “cover dat cat” defense. Wiggins is “dat cat” they are telling to cover your best WR. pic.twitter.com/uSA7evKWom
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 26, 2024
David Syvertsen also praised the fit in Baltimore and complimented the front office’s handling of the draft.
30) BAL: Nate Wiggins - CB/Clemson
— David Syvertsen (@Ourlads_Sy) April 26, 2024
Arguably the top pure cover corner in the class, Wiggins brings elite speed and ball tracking to a defense with multiple questions on the outside. BAL continues to simply let the draft come to them and they always seem to walk away with simply…
Ravens fans had some mixed opinions at first, but it seems much of that was due to a lack of familiarity with Wiggins. Once they reviewed some highlights, they began to come around.
Just seen the clip of Nate Wiggins chasing that guy down and stripping the ball inches way from the TD. One of the best defensive highlights I’ve ever seen. I’M SOLD #RavensFlock
— 👾 (@jpup01_) April 26, 2024
Another play that has aged well for Wiggins is his Pick-6 interception against Drake Maye in the ACC Championship game. It wasn’t lost on fans that he did that to the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Nate Wiggins doing Nate Wiggins stuff.
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) April 26, 2024
I’m a fan of this pick! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/FU5huADeL0
Of course, Clemson fans are excited for Wiggins too, even if they are fans of rival NFL franchises.
Nate, even tho you went to my rival NFl team, I have to root for you and Trent man. Best of luck at the next level, you’ll be HIM🫡 pic.twitter.com/6QRHa8oSdp
— Sidelines - Clemson (@SSN_Clemson) April 26, 2024
The night just wouldn’t be complete without a shot at South Carolina and Xavier Leggette, who was selected with the last pick of the first round by the Carolina Panthers.
Nate Wiggins and his son drafted in the first round. I know he's a proud dad tonight.
— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) April 26, 2024
We also have this clip from the Baltimore Ravens themselves, who confessed that Wiggins had an influential and persistent voice lobbying for them to select the cornerback.
"We were getting texts from Dabo during the first round." 😂😂@ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/8PBrUzsvWZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 26, 2024
Not only can Dabo Swinney convince young high school prospects to come to Clemson, but apparently he is very good at finding jobs for his star players at the next level as well.
The draft continues tonight with Rounds 2 & 3. Coverage begins at 7:00 PM. The Buffalo Bills have the first pick in the second round.