The NFL Playoffs are coming to an end, and Clemson alums have shown out from start to finish, but only a handful can make it to the biggest stage. Here are five former Clemson Tigers who will be in this year’s Super Bowl 59:
DeAndre Hopkins — Wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
Clemson’s second all-time leading receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, is back in the playoffs and will play in the first Super Bowl of his career this year.
“I haven’t made the playoffs (since 2021),” Hopkins said. “I got traded for some pennies in my prime. I was like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be tough.’ (I) went to Arizona, we started off hot a couple of times, got traded to Tennessee, and, you know, didn’t get the results.”
The former Tiger looks to have an explosive game after being held to one catch on two targets for 11 yards in the past two playoff games.
Will Shipley — Running back, Philadelphia Eagles
The 5-foot-11 running back didn’t get a lot of touches in his rookie campaign, thanks to the NFL’s leading rusher, Saquon Barkley.
Even to begin the playoffs, Shipley recorded no stats through the initial two games the Eagles played. However, he made his name known with a breakout game in the NFC Championship against the Washington Commanders.
Shipley carried the ball four times out of the backfield for 77 yards and his first career touchdown. In addition, he forced a fumble on special teams to assist in the 55-23 win.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. — Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
Being the son of an Eagles Hall of Famer certainly heightened the expectations for the Clemson alum coming into his first season in the league, but it hasn’t seemed to phase him too much.
Like other Eagles rookies, most of his snaps were on special teams in his regular season campaign. But in the limited defensive snaps he received, Trotter Jr. showed flashes of potential, racking up 25 tackles, one pass deflection and half a sack.
In the 2024 postseason, the 22-year-old has posted four tackles and a fumble recovery in a three-game span.
Justyn Ross — Wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
The 2018 national champion and former freshman standout at Clemson is back in the Super Bowl with the Chiefs, looking for his second ring and Kansas City’s successful three-peat.
Ross saw the field twice this year and had one target, a slight decrease in production this season compared to his sophomore year, where he recorded six catches for 53 yards in 12 games played.
KJ Henry — Defensive end, Philadelphia Eagles
The former standout Clemson defensive end had a solid rookie season, appearing in 10 games, posting 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and a half and two pass deflections.
Henry was released heading into the 2024 season as the Commanders went through a vast culture change with a new owner and new front office. Since then, he’s tried finding his footing in other cities, going from Cincinnati to Dallas and now to Philadelphia.
The 255-pound defensive end performed well for the Cowboys in two appearances, recording three tackles and a sack, but was still cut, leading to the Eagles signing him to their practice squad in November 2024.
While still on the practice squad, if the Eagles win, Henry will have some new bling to rock in the offseason.
