In his updated 2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has cooled significantly on the Tigers' top-end talent. Three of Clemson's biggest defensive stars, all once considered locks for the top half of the first round, have taken a noticeable slide down his big board as the team's on-field performance has cratered.
The regression is a brutal sign that the program's failures are beginning to impact the professional futures—and earning potential—of its elite players.
Here's the breakdown from Kiper's latest board:
- CB Avieon Terrell: (Drops 6 spots to No.