Clemson’s Avieon Terrell picked in NFL second round, will reunite with brother
It’s been a busy NFL Draft for Clemson, and it’ll get even busier.
After seeing two players picked in the first round of the draft Thursday, coach Dabo Swinney’s program will send a number of other players to the pros in Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday. Here’s the latest on Clemson’s selections:
CB Avieon Terrell reunites with older brother
Of all the NFL teams Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell could’ve winded up on ...
The Atlanta Falcons picked Terrell No. 48 overall in the second round Friday, meaning he’ll share an NFL field with his older brother, AJ Terrell, a standout corner and 2020 first-round pick of the Falcons.
DE TJ Parker is Clemson’s first Day 2 pick
Junior defensive end T.J. Parker became Clemson’s first Day 2 pick Friday when he was picked No. 35 overall by the Buffalo Bills.
Parker recorded 21.5 sacks and 41.5 tackles for loss in 39 career games at Clemson (29 starts). He left the Tigers ranking 10th in career sacks and tied for fourth in career fumble recoveries (six) despite only playing three seasons.
He also set Clemson’s single-season record for forced fumbles in 2024 (six) and was the only player in the nation to reach both five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries across the 2024-25 seasons.
“He can really, really run at his size and he’s got the ability and the power to bull rush people,” Swinney said. “But he’s also got the speed and the tools to be a really, really good pass rusher. ... He’s a high-level talent.”
Parker’s sack production did drop from his sophomore to junior year, though, prompting a bit of a slide down the draft board from a previously expected first-round selection.
He is the first Clemson player drafted by the Bills since LB Baylon Spector in 2022.
Two Tigers picked in first round
Clemson had a solid showing in the first round of the draft Thursday.
Longtime starting right tackle Blake Miller (No. 17 to Lions) and talented defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 29 to Chiefs) were both taken among the top 30 picks.
Clemson’s modern-era record for first round picks in a single NFL Draft is three in 2019. Swinney predicted on the radio earlier this month the Tigers could set a new record with four first-round picks (Miller, Woods, DE T.J. Parker, CB Avieon Terrell).
The Tigers only got halfway there but still produced multiple first-round picks in a single draft for the ninth time in program history and first time since 2023.
Clemson football 2026 NFL Draft picks
- OT Blake Miller: First round (No. 17 overall) to the Lions
- DT Peter Woods: First round (No. 29 overall) to the Chiefs
- DE T.J. Parker: Second round (No. 35 overall) to the Bills
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:24 PM.
