What to watch for as these Clemson Tigers compete at 2022 NFL combine
Andrew Booth Jr., Justyn Ross, Mario Goodrich and Baylon Spector will be representing Clemson at the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins Wednesday in Indianapolis.
The four Tigers go in with a range of perspectives — from a highly discussed prospect like Booth to one who can use the combine to boost his draft stock like Spector. After this week, NFL scouts will have one more opportunity to see the quartet at Clemson’s on-campus pro day March 17.
Here’s a look at the four Tigers players working out at the combine:
Andrew Booth a first-rounder?
Of the four Clemson prospects, Booth has the least to prove as a projected first-round pick at cornerback. CBS Sports has him as high as the 22nd selection, going to the Las Vegas Raiders, while NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter pegged the Georgia native as the Buffalo Bills’ first pick at No. 25.
The former five-star recruit out of Archer High School started 15 of 35 games played at Clemson and was best known for making athletic, highlight-reel plays. In his junior season, Booth totaled 39 tackles, three for loss, five pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions. He and Goodrich were both named all-ACC first team members, the first cornerback duo to sweep the honor since 1997.
Justyn Ross still projected in early rounds
Injuries have spoiled Ross’ chances of being a no-doubt high first-round pick.
After combining for 1,865 receiving yards during his first two years with the Tigers, he spent the 2020 season on the sidelines after surgery related to a congenital spine fusion he unknowingly was born with. Playing football again seemed to be in doubt, but doctors cleared Ross to get back on the field. The Central (Alabama) High School graduate returned as a starter in 2021 and led the Tigers with 514 yards on 46 receptions with three touchdowns. Another injury — this time in his foot — shut Ross down for the final three games of the year.
Where Reuters has the wide receiver going 43rd to the Atlanta Falcons, Bleacher Report listed him as a potential late first- or second-round selection, which is realistic if he’s 100% healthy.
Mario Goodrich could raise his stock
Where Goodrich has impressed the most is how his patience allowed for incremental steps in his growth as a cornerback at Clemson.
“You give the kid a lot of credit that he did stick it out. He didn’t jump in the portal,” said Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl during an appearance on the “Gramlich and Mac Lain” podcast. “He stuck it out at Clemson, but he’s got all the tools.”
Booth attracting most of the attention in the secondary on the field in 2021 gave Goodrich a chance to shine. Named a third-team All-American by Pro Football Focus, the Kansas City, Missouri native ended his final college season with 48 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions and a forced fumble. That forced fumble proved to be the game-winning play against Iowa State during the Cheez-It Bowl.
The consensus is that Goodrich will be selected on the second or third day, possibly the fourth round, but did put himself in position to raise his stock at the Senior Bowl.
Baylon Spector looks to move up among linebackers
Of the four Clemson players headed to the combine, Spector has the most to prove in terms of getting drafted, let alone positioning. PFF has him at No. 258 on its big board, while Pro Football Network projects him as a sixth-round choice.
At Clemson, Spector was part of a linebacker duo with James Skalski — known as the “Bruise Brothers” — and started in 10 of 11 games played as a redshirt senior this past season. The two-year starter from Georgia had the second-most tackles on the team with 85 to go along with 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pass breakup, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Spector drew some eyes while competing at the Shrine Bowl all-star game, being named a “riser” on the second day of practices. A standout showing at the combine this week will be needed for him to continue rising on the draft board while competing alongside other linebackers such as Nakobe Dean (Georgia), Terrel Bernard (Baylor) and Christian Harris (Alabama).
NFL-bound Tigers
Clemson has had at least two players taking in the NFL Draft since 2003. They’ve ranged from first-round selections like Sammy Watkins (2014) to being taken on the last day like Chansi Stuckey (2007), who is now the wide receivers coach at Notre Dame.
The biggest draft class Clemson’s had over that time span was in 2016 when nine Tigers heard their named called three months after the team’s first College Football Playoff national championship appearance. Defensive end Shaq Lawson was the lone first-rounder, getting drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 19th pick; followed by defensive end Kevin Dodd (Tennessee Titans); cornerback Mackensie Alexander (Minnesota Vikings); and safety T.J. Green (Indianapolis Colts) in the second round.
Here’s a look at the seven of the most notable Tigers from the past five drafts:
*QB Trevor Lawrence — No. 1 pick, 2021 (Jacksonville Jaguars)
CB A.J. Terrell — Rd. 1, No. 16 in 2020 (Atlanta Falcons)
WR Tee Higgins — Rd. 2, No. 33 overall in 2020 (Cincinnati Bengals)
DT Christian Wilkins — Rd. 1, No. 13 overall in 2019 (Miami Dolphins)
WR Hunter Renfrow — Rd. 5, No. 149 overall in 2019 (Las Vegas Raiders)
WR Mike Williams — Rd. 1, No. 7 overall in 2017 (Los Angeles Chargers)
QB Deshaun Watson — Rd. 1, No. 12 overall in 2017 (Houston Texans)
*Lawrence was Clemson’s first-ever No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick
Key NFL dates to know
NFL Scouting Combine — March 1-7
Clemson’s on-campus pro day — March 17
NFL Draft — April 28-30
