Release from Clemson
Offensive tackle Blake Miller and defensive tackle Peter Woods kicked off Clemson’s 2026 NFL Draft class in the first round of the NFL’s annual selection meeting on Thursday. The Detroit Lions selected Miller with the No. 17 overall selection, and the Kansas City Chiefs added Woods with the No. 29 overall selection.
The 2026 NFL Draft marks the ninth time that Clemson has produced multiple first-round picks in a single draft. The school record of three was set in 2019, and the 2026 haul ties the 1979, 1982, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023 drafts (two each) for second in school annals. The second of the two first-round picks represented the 20th of the head coaching tenure of Dabo Swinney, who stands alongside Kirby Smart as one of two active coaches with at least 20 first-round picks to their credit.
Miller was a mainstay on Clemson’s offensive line for the last four seasons, breaking the Clemson record for career snaps from scrimmage by playing 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career games (all starts) from 2022-25. The three-time All-ACC selection started every game Clemson played in his entire four-year career and set the Clemson record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist with 54.
Miller became Clemson’s highest-selected offensive lineman since 1960, when Lou Cordileone was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 12 overall pick and Harold Olson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 13 overall pick.
“Blake Miller is one of one,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney said, the full comments of which are included below. “I’ve never really had one like him. On the offensive line, I’ve had second-rounders, third-rounders, fourth-rounders, every round you can think, but he’s my first first-round offensive lineman, and, boy, is he worthy.”
Woods enters the NFL ranks after earning All-America recognition for his junior campaign in 2025. He was Clemson’s first AP All-American at defensive tackle since Christian Wilkins in 2018, and he finished his Clemson career with 99 tackles (14.5 for loss), 5.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups over 35 games (24 starts) from 2023-25. He also scored two rushing touchdowns as a contributor on offense.
“[Peter] has just got a unique skill set that’s hard to find. He’s powerful, he’s fast, he’s twitchy, he’s unbelievably strong, he’s smart. This kid’s a winner,” Swinney added among his comments. “Honestly, he’s probably a guy that could have made a team two years ago, so he’s going to fit right in day one and will be ready to compete.”
Clemson has now had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft in 24 consecutive years, tying the school record set across the 1951-74 NFL Drafts, all of which featured between 17 and 30 rounds. Clemson has produced at least one first-round pick in 11 of the last 14 NFL Drafts. Clemson is one of seven programs that can boast a first-round pick in double-digit drafts in that span, alongside Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Oregon.
Also picked on Thursday night was Oceanside Collegiate product Monroe Freeling. The left tackle from the University of Georgia was taken by the Carolina Panthers with the 19th pick.
NFL Network analysis of Blake Miller
Ultimate iron man at right tackle with 54 career starts. Miller has unusual lateral quickness and fluidity in space despite playing too upright. His hands lack accuracy and command in both phases, but he can recover and make blocks with a finisher’s mindset. Miller is rarely beaten by rush games, but he has his edges attacked because of his hand issues. He will encounter difficulties at the next level without better pad level, core strength and cleaner technique. If he tightens up in those areas, Miller can become a solid NFL right tackle.
NFL Network analysis of Peter Woods
Woods is a young interior defender with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame. He’s not a pure one- or two-gap fit, but he’s capable in both schemes. He plays with good lower-body explosiveness into initial contact, keeping his hands and feet synced to work around blocks when needed. He’s more of an active brawler than double-team eating tree stump. Shorter arms allow blockers to crowd his frame and force him to fight harder at the point. Yet, his ability to overtake and win as the rep progresses is impressive. He lacks quick-win talent as a solo rusher, but he’s fully functional as part of a pocket-collapsing collective. His 2024 tape might be a better representation of his upside, but Woods clearly has the potential to become a solid starter in an even front.
NFL Network analysis of Monroe Freeling
Freeling offers coveted length and athleticism at right tackle. With only one season as a full-time starter, filling out his frame and improving his technique should be early priorities. His quickness brings first-phase positioning advantages, but he needs more play strength to carry that over to block sustain and finish. Lunging and deadening feet post-punch must be coached out of his muscle memory in pass protection so his athleticism and length can do their jobs. Independent hand usage and a reliable “snatch and trap” could instantly bolster his success rate. There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter.