Release from Clemson
An additional four selections on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday brought Clemson’s total picks in the NFL’s annual selection meeting this year to nine, matching Clemson’s school record for a seven-round draft and coming within one pick of the overall school record of 10 from the 12-round draft in 1983. Clemson’s nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft tied for the most in the ACC and tied for fourth nationally.
All nine of Clemson’s selections came in the first five rounds, and Clemson’s nine selections tied Ohio State for the most across Rounds 1-5. The nine selections in those five rounds shattered Clemson’s record for the first five rounds of a draft, surpassing its previous mark of six in the 1991, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2023 drafts. The 2026 NFL Draft also marked the first time in history Clemson had at least one player selected in each of the first five rounds of a single draft.
Day 3 of the draft commenced with two Tigers coming off the board in the fourth round. Quarterback Cade Klubnik became the sixth Clemson quarterback drafted since 1979 when the New York Jets selected the multi-time ACC Championship Game Most Valuable Player with the No. 110 overall pick. Thirteen picks later, the Houston Texans added linebacker Wade Woodaz with the No. 123 overall selection, marking the fifth consecutive year Clemson has had a linebacker drafted.
Two more Tigers heard their names called in the fifth round. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart with the No. 155 overall selection, giving the Tigers three defensive line selections in a draft for the fifth time in the last 11 years. Clemson then had a running back selected for the third straight year when the Baltimore Ravens selected Adam Randall with the No. 174 overall pick. The selection of Randall represented the first time in Clemson history that nine different teams came away with at least one Clemson draft pick in a single draft.
NFL Network analysis of Cade Klubnik
Much was expected of Klubnik after a strong showing in 2024, but his play and production declined in 2025. He’s undersized but athletic and shows an ability to attack zone windows with adequate velocity over the first two levels. He can make some timing throws with anticipation when in rhythm. However, when the first read isn’t there, his field vision is average and he’s not good enough off-platform/out of structure to succeed at a high enough rate. The accuracy numbers to most areas of the field fall below the mark, but tape study shows a high drop count by his receivers. While his designed run production fell off in 2025, he remains pocket-mobile, avoiding sacks and exploiting rushing lanes. Maintaining poise and mechanics are essential, so finding a short passing attack with a competent run game feels like a must for Klubnik.
NFL Network analysis of Wade Woodaz
Two-year starter who punches in and goes to work but fails to stamp games with high-level impact. Woodaz has adequate size and diagnose quickness. However, he lacks base strength and take-on pop to keep himself clean through contact. He displays good awareness in zone drops and has enough man-cover talent to match with some pass-catching tight ends underneath. Woodaz needs to add strength, play faster and become more forceful in everything he does. He has a chance to develop into an average backup Will linebacker, but his work on special teams is what will get him on the field early on.
NFL Network analysis of DeMonte Capehart
Capehart started just 12 games over six seasons (and 57 games played) but that’s not an indicator of the impact he can make against the run. He’s big, broad and long with heavy hands and impressive power in his upper half. He can play through lesser guards and adequately occupy his gap against double-teams. He’s light on his feet with good lateral movement but is unrefined as a pass rusher, relying on down-the-middle power. Capehart is not a young prospect, but his traits and run-plugging talent will appeal to teams looking for a solid rotational option on Day 3. Tampa Bay picks Capehart
NFL Network analysis of Adam Randall
Randall, a former wide receiver, is new to his position, but his blend of size, top-end speed and pass-catching ability make him an intriguing prospect. He’s an upright long-strider with surprising one-cut quickness and home-run potential. He doesn’t run with pro-level rhythm, recognition or timing, but improvement awaits. He’s willful once he’s downhill, using balance and force to maximize yardage after collisions. His receiving skills create mismatches against man coverage and allow for alignment versatility. Randall is still raw, but RBs with his size, speed and route skill are rare. He offers value as a developmental option with RB2 upside in a zone-heavy scheme. Baltimore picks Randall
Release from USC
Defensive tackle Nick Barrett was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday. He was the second Gamecock player taken in the 2026 Draft and the 145th player selected overall. Barrett, a 6-3, 313-pounder from Goldsboro, N.C., spent five years in the Garnet & Black. He appeared in 51 games with 12 starts, recording 72 tackles during his career.
In 2025, Barrett was recognized as a Rex Enright permanent team captain, a co-Steve Wadiak Team MVP Award winner and a co-Most Outstanding Senior Award recipient. He also earned the coaches’ Strength & Conditioning Award and Nutrition Award. He topped all Carolina defensive linemen with 42 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks while starting all 12 games.
Barrett is the first Gamecock selected by the Chargers since Kyle Kennard was taken in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. Barrett is the fourth Gamecock defensive tackle selected in the past four years, joining 2023 pick Zacch Pickens and 2025 selections T.J. Sanders and Tonka Hemingway.
Defensive back Jalon Kilgore was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 27th pick in the fifth round and the 167th player selected overall. Kilgore, a 6-1, 218-pounder from Eatonton, Ga., spent three years as a starter in the Gamecock secondary, appearing in 36 of 37 games over that span with 33 starts. He logged 178 tackles and eight interceptions with 21 pass breakups. He earned Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-America honors in 2023 and was a second-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches in 2025.
In 2025, Kilgore was selected as a Rex Enright permanent team captain and shared the Joe Morrison MVP honors for the Carolina defense with Bryan Thomas Jr. He finished fourth on the squad with 54 tackles while leading the team with 10 pass breakups and with two interceptions.
Kilgore is the first Gamecock selected by the Bills since T.J. Sanders went in the second round of last year’s draft.
Kilgore joins second round pick Brandon Cisse as the latest in a long line of Gamecock defensive backs selected in the NFL Draft. The Gamecocks have had a defensive back selected in five of the last six NFL Drafts, including Jaycee Horn (2021-1st round), Cam Smith (2023-2ndround), Darius Rush (2023-5th round), Marcellas Dial (2024-6th round), and Nick Emmanwori (2025-2nd round). Overall, South Carolina has had 25 defensive backs selected since joining the SEC.
NFL Network analysis on Barrett
Barrett isn’t overly explosive and athletic, but it’s hard to ignore his “slow power” and the way he helped clog the drain as a run-stuffer in 2025. He’s well-built with room to add even more mass. Barrett lacks first-step quickness and sudden hands, so he’s best-suited as a block-eater and two-gapper. The production won’t pop and he won’t add much as a rusher, but Barrett can add depth as a rotational nose tackle for teams looking for more congestion in the middle. Chargers pick Barrett
NFL Network analysis on Kilgore
Kilgore is a big, long defensive back with nickelback or down safety value depending on scheme fit. He’s played an overhang “Star” role, covering slot receivers and supporting the run, but he’ll be at his best in the pros covering tight ends and containing run games near the box. He could see split-field safety snaps if a staff trusts him on the back end, but he will be better off paired with a rangy single-high safety. Missed tackles need to be cleaned up but his wingspan, agility and play strength should keep his tackle totals high from year to year. Kilgore has the traits, ball production and versatility to counter the burgeoning tight end craze, making him a likely Day 2 pick with early starting potential. Bills pick Kilgore
State Players Selected in 2026 NFL Draft
| First | Last | Position | School | Round | Overall | Team |
| BLAKE | MILLER | OT | CLEMSON | 1 | 17 | DETROIT |
| MONROE | FREELING | OT | GEORGIA | 1 | 19 | CAROLINA |
| PETER | WOODS | DT | CLEMSON | 1 | 29 | KANSAS CITY |
| TJ | PARKER | DE | CLEMSON | 2 | 35 | BUFFALO |
| AVIEON | TERRELL | CB | CLEMSON | 2 | 48 | ATLANTA |
| BRANDON | CISSE | CB | USC | 2 | 52 | GREEN BAY |
| ANTONIO | WILLIAMS | WR | CLEMSON | 3 | 71 | WASHINGTON |
| CADE | KLUBNIK | QB | CLEMSON | 4 | 110 | NEW YORK JETS |
| WADE | WOODAZ | LB | CLEMSON | 4 | 123 | HOUSTON |
| NICK | BARRETT | DT | USC | 5 | 145 | LA CHARGERS |
| DEMONTE | CAPEHART | DT | CLEMSON | 5 | 155 | TAMPA BAY |
| JALON | KILGORE | SAF | USC | 5 | 167 | BUFFALO |
| ADAM | RANDALL | RB | CLEMSON | 5 | 174 | BALTIMORE |