Clemson continues to put on a show as NFL Draft comes to an end.
After back-to-back picks of the Tigers in the first round with Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee, more Clemson players showed up ready for the next level this week as four more players got drafted into the NFL. This brings the list up to 6 total, with two more being signed as Free Agents. Those players’ names are: Myles Murphy(Cincinnati Bengals), Bryan Bresse(New Orleans Saints), Trenton Simpson(Baltimore Ravens), KJ Henry(Washington Commanders), Jordan McFadden(LA Chargers), and Davis Allen(LA Rams), B.T. Potter(Pittsburgh Steelers), and Joseph Ngata(Philadelphia Eagles) were signed as free agents shortly after the draft.
The next Tiger called up after the Murphy-Bresee excitement wouldn’t come until the next day. Late in the third round, The Baltimore Ravens selected Trenton Simpson with the 86th pick of the Draft.
Simpson was no new name around the country in 2020. Winning 2019 NC Player Of The Year, he went into Clemson as ESPN’s No. 107 ranked overall. He put up 32 tackles and 4 sacks in his freshman year, also adding one forced fumble against Boston College.
In 2021 the All-ACC Academic Team Select would tie for third on the team with 78 tackles and ranked second in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (12). His final season at Clemson looked pretty similar, tying third in the team once again but with 77 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He would add 2 forced fumbles to his 2022 stats and was a semi-finalist for both the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT trophy. He’s got some big shoes to fill being in Baltimore, who are familiar with names like Ray Lewis and Cornell Brown, however, I think he will step up as a leader on this team and boost the winning mentality even more. After a Wild Card loss to the Bengals last season, they look to make a better run this year.
Next to go in the Draft was DE KJ Henry, who came into Tiger Town as the No. 6 overall player in the nation (via ESPN.) KJ led the Tigers football team his entire career at Clemson, becoming a permanent team captain in the 2022 season. Along with recording 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks that season, he also led his team in quarterback pressures with 24, the most since Clelin Ferrell’s 24 in 2016.
Offensive lineman Jordan McFadden was next to go, as he and KJ both went in the 5th round. McFadden carries the record for 3rd most offensive snaps from scrimmage in program history with 2,960. The First-Team All-ACC honoree was voted in 2022 by his teammates to be a permanent team captain as well, and that year he would take home the Jacobs Blocking Award, given to the top blocker in the ACC.
The next name to receive a call during Draft Day was Davis Allen. Though it may seem like we didn’t see much of Allen throughout his career, he still put up pro numbers. Becoming only the 6th tight end in program history to record double-digit touchdown receptions, we expect him to have no problem hitting double digits in the NFL! He also is in a four-way tie with Dwayne Allen (2009-2011), Brandon Ford (2009-2012), and John McMakin (1969-1971) for most career touchdown receptions in program history as a tight end. Being the second Tiger of this Draft to go to LA, we only hope for the best for him!
The last two Tigers called up to the NFL would come shortly after the Draft officially ended. Kicker B.T. Potter would go first to the Steelers as an unsigned free agent. Now, there are too many records for Potter for us to list, but just know he dominated not only Clemson records but also ACC and CFB National Championship records as well. This will be a great addition to the Steelers as his 99.6% extra point rate and 75.3% field goal rate will come in handy.
The final Tiger to go but definitely the one not forgotten, is Joseph Ngata. A 5 Star recruit out of high school, Ngata put up consistent stats each year at Clemson. Making some game-clinching catches, and some catches that just make you stare at the screen. We look forward to seeing him team up with Jalen Hurts as he is headed to Philadelphia.
A bit more about the 1st Round Drafts…
We discussed a little about Bryan Bresee after he got drafted on Thursday night, but many don’t realize the struggles he’s had to overcome. Dominating the HS competition, Bryan Bresee took the nation by shock as he was the No.1 recruit of his class coming out of Damascus High School. The Maryland 2018 POTY finished his high school career with 134 career tackles, including 80.5 for loss, with 35 sacks. Bryan showed out at Clemson as a freshman by tying program records, becoming ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and breaking new records with his college teammate/NFL Draftee Trenton Simpson but that was just the start of the journey for Bryan.
In 2021 Bryan Bresee was pulled out of the Clemson vs NC State game with an injury. Only four games into the season, Bryan was told he tore his ACL. After just 3 games, his sophomore season would be cut short. We learned earlier in the year Bryan’s sister, Ella, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer known as medulloblastoma. Everyone from Clemson players to the coaching staff, especially the fans, were in support of #EllaStrong.
Unfortunately on September 15th of 2022, Tiger fans would receive tragic news via Bryan’s Instagram that his 15-year-old sister had passed away. “You amazed me every single day with the fight you put up . . .” said Bryan Bresse via Instagram. Just 9 days later Bryan returned to help the Tigers secure a double-overtime win against Wake Forest. He finished out the season in his sister’s name, helping Clemson to reach the Orange Bowl that year.
After all he’s gone through, we expect a great career for Bryan in the NFL. His mentality is unmatched, and we saw that against Wake Forest in 2022. With Cameron Jordan being the star-studded leader on the line, will he point Bresee in the right direction?
This was a great year for Clemson, as Dabo Swinney now has 77 total players drafted since his step-up to head coach in 2008.
Written by: Brandon Cannady
Sponsored by: O’Boutique Luxury Optical
