The showdown between the Clemson Tigers and the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff is stacked with 2025 NFL Draft prospects. With potential first-rounders on both sides of the ball, all eyes will be on Austin to see who can elevate their draft stock.
Clemson 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Barrett Carter, LB (Rounds 2-3)
- DeMonte Capehart, DL (Rounds 3-4)
- Blake Miller, OT (Rounds 4-5)
- Jake Briningstool, TE (Rounds 5-6)
- Phil Mafah, RB (Rounds 5-6)
Barrett Carter’s NFL Draft Projection
Barrett Carter has the potential to be the first linebacker selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The standout defender from the Tigers has received Day 2 grades from NFL scouts thanks to his exceptional athleticism, innovative gameplay, and instinctive proactive skills.
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Carter’s impressive resume includes 76 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, several pass deflections, and one fumble recovery in 2024, showcasing his polished and translatable skill set to the next level.
DeMonte Capehart’s NFL Draft Projection
At 6’4” and 320 pounds, DeMonte Capehart has an intriguing size heading to the NFL. The Clemson defensive tackle uses his dense frame and strength profile to create leverage at the point of attack. Meanwhile, his unnatural movement and violent first step give the former four-star recruit tremendous athletic upside.
Blake Miller’s NFL Draft Projection
Teams looking for a developmental tackle to pick up on Day 3 will have their eyes on Blake Miller. The Clemson right tackle has an intriguing athletic profile, displaying agility and striking mobility. However, he needs to develop his technique and run-blocking proficiency to become a starter at the next level.
Jake Briningstool’s NFL Draft Projection
Jake Briningstool projects as a Day 3 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Tigers’ tight end thrives attacking up the seam, where he can cause mismatches against linebackers. However, he has a light frame at 6’6” and 240 pounds, so he struggles to hold up as a blocker.
Phil Mafah’s NFL Draft Projection
Phil Mafah is potentially going underrated in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, it is a ridiculously strong year for running backs, meaning some will get pushed down the board.
With 1,106 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, Mafah has been continually productive in Death Valley. His aggressive, bruising, between-the-tackles running style allows him to get north and south with physicality. However, the Clemson back’s lack of explosive movement could limit his ceiling.
Texas 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
- Isaiah Bond, WR (Round 1)
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OL (Round 1)
- Cameron Williams, OL (Round 1)
- Jahdae Barron, CB (Round 2)
- Alfred Collins, DT (Rounds 2-3)
- Gunnar Helm, TE (Round 3)
- Andrew Mukuba, DB (Rounds 3-4)
- Quinn Ewers, QB (Rounds 5-6)
- Trey Moore, EDGE (Rounds 6-7)
- Matthew Golden, WR (Rounds 6-7)
Isaiah Bond’s NFL Draft Projection
You have to separate Isaiah Bond’s production from his NFL Draft stock. The Texas WR has been criminally underused in the Longhorns’ system, mostly stemming from poor QB choices despite being wide-open.
NFL teams will look at the transfer wide receiver and see explosive speed and elusive twitchy movement. He is a mismatch in the open field, with Bond’s potential much higher than his 532 receiving yards and five touchdowns recorded in 2024.
Kelvin Banks Jr.’s NFL Draft Projection
Despite missing the SEC Championship Game, Kelvin Banks Jr. is expected to return for the College Football Playoff. The star Longhorns left tackle is widely expected to be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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However, some analysts project him moving inside at the next level due to clunky footwork and lack of athleticism. Despite this, Banks has showcased a sturdy anchor, vice-grip-like hands, and refined technique that should see him drafted within the top 20 selections.
Cameron Williams’ NFL Draft Projection
Cameron Williams potentially has the highest ceiling of any tackle eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 335 pounds, he possesses both prototypical size and elite physical traits and impressive athleticism.
However, as a first-year starter, the Texas right tackle has faced challenges against top-tier edge rushers, particularly against the Georgia Bulldogs’ elite pass-rushing duo. Given these struggles, it might be more beneficial for him to return to school for the 2025 season. Nonetheless, Williams’ exceptional traits alone make him worthy of consideration as a first-round prospect.
Jahdae Barron’s NFL Draft Projection
Jahdae Barron is firmly in the early Day 2 conversation for the 2025 NFL Draft and is often featured in the first round of multiple mock drafts. The versatile Texas defensive back was drafted 28th overall in the latest CFN 3-Round NFL Mock Draft.
With some of the most innate intelligence and anticipation in the class, Barron is a natural playmaker with a non-stop motor and secure tackling.
Alfred Collins’ NFL Draft Projection
Alfred Collins appears to be the next NFL standout from the Longhorns’ defensive line. Standing at 6’6” and 320 pounds, the Texas defensive tackle is a dominant force who effectively fills gaps and sheds blocks, thanks to his impressive 35-inch arms. His physical attributes alone make him a deserving candidate for Day 2 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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