Clemson’s football culture continues long after graduation, and the best way to quantify this is through the number of players that landed a coveted spot on NFL rosters this upcoming season. There are 38 former Tigers who made last week’s 53-man roster cuts, including all six who were drafted in April.
The Tigers are eighth in the country in players on NFL rosters and first in the ACC.
The most recognizable Clemson alumnus taking to the field right now is Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who led the Tigers to the National Championship as a true freshman in 2018. He is joined in Jacksonville by running back Travis Etienne and offensive lineman Tyler Shatley. The trio were paramount in the Jaguars winning the AFC South division title and making the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
As for the Los Angeles Chargers, they have three former Tigers on the team. Offensive lineman Jordan McFadden, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, will bring a strong presence to the team’s offensive front. His job is to ensure the protection of the quarterback so he has time to find wide receivers like Mike Williams, a 2016 Clemson alumnus. Although Clemson may not currently be “WRU,” Williams serves as a reminder of wide receiver success at the highest level. Williams and McFadden are joined by linebacker Tanner Muse, who was recently waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers following the preseason.
Perhaps the biggest story of the offseason, however, is wide receiver Justyn Ross making the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs. Ross went through quite the ordeal at Clemson — neck surgery, a broken foot and then going undrafted in 2022. Now, he has secured a spot with the Super Bowl Champions and elite players such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Bryan Bresee is yet another player who went through unspeakable tragedy but persevered to make his NFL dreams come true. Following multiple injuries and the death of his younger sister Ella to brain cancer, the defensive tackle was drafted by the New Orleans Saints at pick No. 29 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
Fellow first-round pick Myles Murphy should help bolster the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line. Cincinnati placed in the bottom five in total sacks in the league last season, and Murphy is projected to add much-needed depth to the group.
Several Tigers have changed teams since last season. The most notable shift involves wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals before signing with the Tennessee Titans. His former Arizona teammate, linebacker Isaiah Simmons, was recently traded to the New York Giants, where he joins fellow Clemson alumnus Dexter Lawrence on the defensive front.
The other former Tigers that made NFL rosters are: cornerbacks Andrew Booth Jr., A.J. Terrell, Mario Goodrich, Derion Kendrick and Trayvon Mullen; defensive linemen Albert Huggins, Grady Jarrett, DeShaun Williams, K.J. Henry, Carlos Watkins, Clelin Ferrell, D.J. Reader, Shaq Lawson and Christian Wilkins; linebackers Trenton Simpson and Baylon Spector; offensive linemen Tremayne Anchrum, John Simpson and Jackson Carman; punter Bradley Pinion; safeties Jayron Kearse and K’Von Wallace; tight end Davis Allen, and receivers Ray-Ray McCloud, Tee Higgins and Hunter Renfrow.
Kicker B.T. Potter was waived from the Pittsburgh Steelers, although with his skill he is expected to be picked up in the early weeks of the season. Wide receiver Joseph Ngata was also waived but signed with the Eagles practice squad.
