Clemson’s future NFL stars are making waves in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest NFL Draft position rankings, with two Tigers earning top spots as we approach the 2025 draft. Kiper, ESPN’s longtime draft analyst, has released his updated Big Board, and Clemson products Barrett Carter and Jake Briningstool are both ranked among the top prospects in their respective positions.
Briningstool, the Tigers’ record-setting tight end, lands as the fifth-best fullback/H-back in the 2025 draft class. With 127 receptions, 1,380 yards, and 17 touchdowns over his stellar Clemson career, the 6-foot-6, 240-pounder became the all-time leader in career receptions by a Clemson tight end. His remarkable consistency—along with setting a school record for 100-yard receiving games—has earned him a spot among the top names in the upcoming draft, trailing only notable players like Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers.
Meanwhile, Carter, a dominant linebacker for Clemson, holds strong at No. 5 in Kiper’s off-ball linebacker rankings. The two-time All-ACC and All-America honoree left an indelible mark with 254 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 24 pass breakups across 52 games. Carter, the only player in the nation during his career to post at least 30 tackles for loss, 20 pass breakups, and three interceptions, has shown why he’s a top contender for a spot in the 2025 draft. His impressive resume also includes being a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2024.
As Carter and Briningstool officially declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, they’ll be among the standout players hoping to make their mark at the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this April. With these two Tigers leading the way, Clemson’s football program continues to churn out elite NFL talent year after year.
