The beginning of March calls for an important time in the NFL offseason: Collegiate Pro Days. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith continue their rounds together as they head to Clemson. Both coaches are set to make their rounds through the top pristine colleges to scout potential future draft picks. Clemson is well-known for producing absolute studs coming into the NFL Draft. They recently finished their 2024 season second in the ACC with a 10-3 regular season record. Their record placed them top 15 in the AP Top 25 rankings. Clemson ultimately lost to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. With another impressive year, behind coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson is sure to produce elite talent heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Here we look at those 8 Draft prospects out of Death Valley.
The 2025 NFL Draft is swiftly approaching as it begins on April 24. On the road to the Draft, keep an eye on our Draft Profiles and Draft Previews.
Barrett Carter LB
Senior
6’1” 232 lbs.
Starting off hot as we look at an elite linebacker in Barrett Carter. He was a five-star recruit out of high school. His elite skill didn’t just spontaneously come about, he continuously developed it throughout his high school years. After dominating the high school scene, Carter found his new home at Clemson. He immediately made an impact as he played most of his first year games, becoming a starter his sophomore season. He went on to be a 2x First-Team All-ACC (2022 and 2024). Carter is a very versatile player, he played snaps on defense and special teams. He fit well with Clemson’s defensive scheme and showed his potential in many outstanding performances.
- Ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Would like to see that drop a little more, but shows great acceleration.
- Has great downfield acceleration, able to find gaps and explode through them when on the rush.
- Has great athleticism, maintained an elite level of this athleticism from high school through college.
- Moves laterally very well, has ability to track down outside runs and scrambles.
- Shows great zone coverages, backs into coverage easily taking away short targets for quarterbacks.
Projection: Day 2 (2nd Round)
Jake Briningstool TE
Senior
6’6” 240 lbs.
A solid build backed with a physical presence, Briningstool has the traits to be a great tight end in the NFL. Different rankings had him at the #1 tight end in the country before committing to Clemson. He didn’t find too much action in his freshman season, but quickly began to get more playing time in his seasons after. Briningstool finished his senior season with two 100 yard games. He achieved Third-Team All-ACC after putting up impressive numbers from his senior campaign. Briningstool brings a great build with outstanding blocking. He has a great eye for soft zones in coverages and is able to quickly become a target for his quarterback.
- Ran a 4.75 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Not the worst for a tight end at 240 lbs.
- Elite height at 6’6”, look for him to make great contested catches.
- A great blocker, has the ability to go into the second level and block upfield for his running back.
- Quick off the line into a soft area of zones. A fast, open target for his quarterback.
- Great hands, catches the ball in front of him using all strength in his hands.
- Ability to move laterally and follow blocks outside for outside runs.
Projection: Day 2 (Late 2nd Round)
Marcus Tate OG
Senior
6’5” 321 lbs.
An absolute UNIT weighing in at 321 lbs. at his Pro Day. Tate plays physical and blocks with anger. Earning a four-star from many recruits out of high school, he found his home at Death Valley. He immediately saw a starting role entering Clemson and did not lose it through his four years at the school. Protecting his quarterback and opening up holes for his back to run through was the name of his game. Pass protection stands out in Tate’s tape as he rarely allowed sacks through his college career. An absolute monster build who can protect the quarterback will get Marcus Tate far in his NFL career.
- Elite size.
- Keeps his feet centered, stands his ground and rarely gets pushed back into the quarterback.
- Fast off the line, quick to his block.
- Keeps his hands inside the pads and maintains his blocks.
- Quick to double team blocks
- Moves upfield quickly and finds the second level efficiently.
Projection: Day 3 (Late 6th Round/ Early 7th Round)
Payton Page DT
Senior
6’3” 290 lbs.
Page played well throughout his high school career at J.H. Rose. He showed his great size and physicalness as he dominated offensive lines. He found himself as a great four-star recruit out of high school. Page took his talent to Clemson and showcased it slowly throughout his career. He fit in well with a physical front on the Clemson defensive line. As he continued to fit into a starting role, Page showed growth as a defensive tackle. Finishing his career at Clemson with 60 total tackles and a big man interception returned for a touchdown!
- Outstanding quickness off the line, very fast on pass rushes.
- A solid three-down tackle, developed into that role after being a rotational player his freshman year.
- Brings physicality to get through blocks, uses bull-rush and swim moves to get through blocks.
- Great balance remains centered as he rushes through blocks.
- Keeps his hands inside the pads and pushes through offensive blocks.
- A solid underrated defensive tackle, has traits to develop into a solid starter in the pros.
Projection: Day 3 (Late 7th round/ UDFA)
Phil Mafah RB
Senior
6’1” 234 lbs.
A powerful back out of Loganville, Georgia. Mafah has a great build for a running back. He uses his size to maul defenders over, and is very difficult to take down. He performed well in high school and received a four-star recruit rating going into college. Mafah slowly showcased his ability to be a talented starting back for Clemson. He has solid vision and has great ability finding gaps to power his way through. He has one of the better sizes in the running back draft, this should turn a lot of heads for NFL scouts.
- 6’1” 234 lbs. as a running back will cause many problems.
- Mauls defenders downhill, sort of Derrick Henry resemblance on how he makes his way downfield.
- Very difficult to bring down.
- Uses his size to pass protect very well, a great trait to have at running back.
- Shows quick feet off the snap, gets out on his route quickly and becomes a reliable check-down option.
- Powerful stiff arm and great trucking ability, all around physical back.
Projection: Day 2 (Mid-Late 2nd Round)
R.J. Mickens S
Senior
6’0” 199 lbs.
Speed backs Mickens’ game very well. Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit, Mickens committed to Clemson and showcased his talent slowly. He found a few chances at safety in his freshman season. He soon played more in sophomore season, quickly showing his ability. He adjusted very well to Clemson’s defensive scheme and molded into a more prominent spot come his junior and senior season. He runs aggressively downfield on run attempts and drops back in deep coverage quickly when needed. Mickens is known to be very reliable in downfield for Clemson’s defense, and will easily show this as he gets into the league.
- Ran a 4.49 40-yard dash. An impressive time at nearly 200 lbs. Showcased aggressive running as well.
- Had a 41.5” vertical at the combine as well. Elite level jump which will benefit him in coverage downfield.
- Great pre-snap reads, easily reads offense and adjusts accordingly. Showcases high football IQ.
- Ability to rush downfield quickly on run plays.
- Great open field tackling, ability to wrap-up and bring down ball carriers.
- A known ballhawk, reads the ball in the air and positions himself for a possible takeaway.
Projection: Day 2 (Round 2)
Ryan Linthicum C
Junior
6’3” 305 lbs.
Linthicum is a center with great build and amazing hair. He came out of high school a four-star recruit and found himself rotating into the Clemson offensive line. Linthicum spent his first few seasons at Clemson rotating through the offensive line. He soon found a solid starting role towards the end of his college career. He possesses great athleticism and strength behind his blocks. A solid center piece to the offensive line.
- Great size at 305 lbs. Height may play a factor, but a dominant build at the center of the line.
- Moves laterally really well, follows blocks outside on outside runs and is able to block well outside.
- A great blocker in the run game, creates gaps for runs up the middle.
- Gets off the snap quickly, puts his head up right away and finds blocks quickly.
- Able to keep his body centered and stand his ground, rarely pushed back into the quarterback.
Projection: Day 3 (Late 7th Round/ UDFA)
Tre Williams DT
Senior
6’2” 315 lbs.
Not a whole lot to speak of with Williams early career at Clemson. He saw some playing time and took advantage of that as well. He has a solid build and can power through offensive lines. Williams finished his last season with Clemson with 14 total tackles and 2 sacks. He can easily become a developed player, but based off college experience I believe he won’t be drafted and will become an UDFA.
Projection: UDFA
