Clemson football sets program record on second night of 2026 NFL Draft
It’s been a busy NFL Draft for Clemson, and it’ll get even busier.
After seeing two players picked in the first round of the draft Thursday, coach Dabo Swinney’s program will send a number of other players to the pros in Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday. Here’s the latest on Clemson’s selections:
WR Antonio Williams makes it 5
Clemson has its fifth top 75 draft pick. The Washington Commanders picked wide receiver Antonio Williams No. 71 overall in the third round Friday.
That likely wraps up the second night of the draft for Clemson, which still has remaining prospects DeMonte Capehart, Cade Klubnik, Adam Randall and Wade Woodaz as likely/possible Day 3 picks.
With Williams’ selection, Clemson has set a new record for most picks in the first three rounds of an NFL Draft with five. Clemson’s previous record of four was accomplished five times (1991, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021).
That does make last year’s 7-6 record sting a little extra, though ...
CB Avieon Terrell reunites with older brother
The Atlanta Falcons picked Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell No. 48 overall in the second round Friday, meaning he’ll share an NFL field with his older brother, AJ Terrell, a standout corner and 2020 first-round pick of the Falcons.
In 205, the younger Terrell was an All American and semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back. He set Clemson’s single-season and career records for forced fumbles by a DB and led all cornerbacks nationally in forced fumbles during his three years (eight).
Avieon Terrell primarily played outside cornerback for Clemson but has experience playing nickel, too. He started 31 of his 39 career games as Clemson and nine career tackles for loss, 4.0 career sacks and 28 pass deflections.
The Terrells become the third set of brothers to be drafted out of Clemson across the last 50 years (Chuck and Rod McSwain, William and Michael Dean Perry).
DE TJ Parker is Clemson’s first Day 2 pick
Junior defensive end T.J. Parker became Clemson’s first Day 2 pick Friday when he was picked No. 35 overall by the Buffalo Bills.
Parker recorded 21.5 sacks and 41.5 tackles for loss in 39 career games at Clemson (29 starts). He left the Tigers ranking 10th in career sacks and tied for fourth in career fumble recoveries (six) despite only playing three seasons.
He also set Clemson’s single-season record for forced fumbles in 2024 (six) and was the only player in the nation to reach both five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries across the 2024-25 seasons.
Parker’s sack production did drop from his sophomore to junior year, though, prompting a bit of a slide down the draft board from a previously expected first-round selection.
Two Tigers picked in first round
Clemson had a solid showing in the first round of the draft Thursday.
Longtime starting right tackle Blake Miller (No. 17 to Lions) and talented defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 29 to Chiefs) were both taken among the top 30 picks.
Their selections marked the ninth time Clemson has produced multiple first-round picks in a single draft and the first time that’s happened since 2023.
Clemson football 2026 NFL Draft picks
- OT Blake Miller: First round (No. 17 overall) to the Lions
- DT Peter Woods: First round (No. 29 overall) to the Chiefs
- DE T.J. Parker: Second round (No. 35 overall) to the Bills
- CB Avieon Terrell: Second round (No. 48 overall) to the Falcons
- WR Antonio Williams: Third round (No. 71 overall) to the Commanders
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Clemson football sets program record on second night of 2026 NFL Draft."
