4. CHRISTIAN WILKINS DL, Clemson Class: Senior Key stat: Mel Kiper's No. 1 senior defensive tackle
2019 NFL Draft
We're already looking ahead to the 2019 draft, which begins April 25, 2019, in Nashville.
There's so much talent on Clemson's roster, it's hard to pick one player as the team's best, but there's no question about who the heart and soul of the locker room is. That's Wilkins, a senior defensive tackle who does everything from rushing the passer to catching passes on special teams to ensuring the rest of the group is out on the field early for offseason workouts. Wilkins' return to the defense this season was a surprise to many, but the truth is, the guy loves playing college football, and he has a chance to make his mark as one of the Tigers' all-time greats.
5. DEXTER LAWRENCE DT, Clemson Class: Junior Key stat: No. 9 in Todd McShay's way-too-early mock draft
You don't need to watch much film to see how fearsome Lawrence is at blowing up the pocket or annihilating a run play. But the truly scary thing is, we've yet to really see Lawrence at his best. In 2016, he was a true freshman playing behind veterans on the line. He got a lot of work, but he was still refining his craft. Last year, injuries plagued Lawrence's season, and while he did his best to stay on the field and make an impact, it was clear he wasn't 100 percent. In 2018, we might finally get to see what a monster Lawrence can be when he's clicking on all cylinders, and that's bad news for the rest of the ACC.
12. CLELIN FERRELL DE, Clemson Class: Junior Key stat: No. 3 on Mel Kiper Jr.'s DE underclassmen rankings
After a breakout finale to the 2016 season, Ferrell became a household name as a sophomore in 2017, finishing the year with 9.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, seven QB hurries and two forced fumbles. He's a high-motor rusher off the edge, and his instincts for the position make him arguably the most dangerous pass-rusher on a line loaded with NFL talent.
24. AUSTIN BRYANT DE, Clemson Class: Senior Key stat: Mel Kiper Jr.'s No. 4 senior DE
There was a play against Virginia Tech last season that perfectly illustrated why Bryant is the unsung hero of Clemson's elite defensive line. He was lined up in coverage, split wide against speedy receiver Sean Savoy on a fourth-down play. A swing pass to Savoy was caught and immediately blown up by Bryant, who converged with his 270-pound frame to drop Savoy for a 5-yard loss. That's an astonishing amount of athleticism for a guy considered the fourth-best defensive lineman on his own team.
40. TEE HIGGINS WR, Clemson Class: Sophomore Key stat: No. 18 prospect in 2017 recruiting class
Clemson's sophomore receiver said he grew up idolizing former Georgia star A.J. Green, and that's fitting. Higgins is a carbon copy. At 6-4, 200 pounds, Higgins is an imposing target, and his long strides and quick breaks make him nearly impossible to defend. He came on strong late last season before an injury derailed his Sugar Bowl, but he owned the field during Clemson's spring game and appears poised to become one of the ACC's best players in 2018.
