Hide Transcript Show Transcript UNION. TOMORROW HE WILL VISIT THE MIDLANDS. BRAD: WHAT A NIGHT IN THE MUSIC CITY. FIRST-ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT HAD AN ORANGE TINT. THREE CLEMSON PLAYERS SELECTED WITH THE TOP 17 PICKS. JULIA: ORANGE TINT PERFECTLY SUMS IT UP. AN HISTORIC NIGHT FOR THE CLEMSON FOOTBALL PROGRAM WITH THREE PLAYERS TAKEN IN THE FIRST ROUND. CLEVELAND FERRELL TAKEN FOURTH -- CLELIN FERRELL TAKEN FOURTH BY THE OAKLAND RAIDERS. WILKINS AND LAURENS ENDED UP WHERE THEY PROJECTED TO GO. CLELIN FERRELL NOW JOINS SEMI-WALK-INS, -- SAMMY WAL LKINS. AFTER HIS NAME WAS CALLED, EVEN THOUGH HE IS HOME WITH HIS FAMILY IN VIRGINIA, NO ONE WAS HAPPIER FOR HIM THAN HIS TEAMMATE, CHRISTIAN WILKINS. OF COURSE, KNOWING HIM, HE WAS ALSO EXTREMELY AUTOMATED, ALMOST -- ANIMATED COME ALMOST RAN OVER ROGER GOODELL. YOU WILL HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT HIS DREAM COMING TRUE AND SPORTS. FOR NOW WE SEND IT UP TO CHARLOTTE. JOE RIPLEY HAS MORE ON THE PANTHERS FIRST-ROUND PICK. JO WE WERE THE ONLY OTHER MEDIA IN CHARLOTTE TO WITNESS THOUSANDS OF PANTHERS FANS PACK BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM IN CHARLOTTE, AS THE FANS LEARNED WHO THE CAROLINA PANTHERS WITH SELECT AT NUMBER 16 OVERALL. HERE’S HOW FANS REACTED. >> THE CAROLINA PANTHERS SELECT BRENT BURNS! [CHEERS] BRAD: YOU CAN HEAR THE EXPLOSIVE CHEERS. FANS FROM AS FAR SOUTH AS SUMTER AND NORTH AS RAW THE CAYMAN TO CHEER ON THE PICK -- RALEIGH CAME TO CHEER ON THE PICK. WE HEARD FROM OWNER DAVID TEPPER. FANS SAY THIS SOLIDIFIES THE PANTHERS AS THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE NFC SOUTH. >> IS GOING TO BE GREAT. 2019 SUPER BOWL FOR THE PANTHERS. BRAD: THEY JUST TURN THE LIGHTS OUT. I GUESS THAT’S A WORD OF WARNING FOR US HERE. WE WANTED TO NOTES THAT BRIAN BURNS IS BROTHER WAS DRAFTED BY THE PANTHERS IN 2006. THE PANTHERS GM AND HEAD COACH BEAMED ABOUT BURNS Advertisement 3 Clemson players selected in first round of NFL draft The first round of the NFL draft started Thursday night in Nashville Share Shares Copy Link Copy The first round of the NFL draft started Thursday night in Nashville. Three Clemson football players were selected in the first round for the first time in history.Dexter Lawrence was drafted to the New York Giants at No. 17.The New York Giants picked Lawrence at No. 17 to help their defense after drafting a quarterback in Daniel Jones at No. 6. Lawrence joins Clelin Ferrell taken by Oakland and Christian Wilkins drafted by Miami.Lawrence was one of three on the Tigers' roster to test positive for a banned substance called ostarine. Lawrence was suspended from Clemson's bowl game along with the other two players and also missed the national championship game.Christian Wilkins was drafted 13th by the Miami Dolphins. A rebuilding project has left the Miami Dolphins perceived as NFL lightweights, and to help change that, they used their first-round draft pick on a 315-pound defensive tackle, Clemson's Christian Wilkins.The Dolphins went 7-9 in 2018, and after shedding numerous veterans from the roster this offseason, they're widely expected to be worse this year under new coach Brian Flores. The Dolphins' odds for winning the Super Bowl are 250 to 1, longest in the NFL.Even so, Wilkins was so happy to be selected by Miami that he celebrated by leaping into Commissioner Roger Goodell on the draft stage in Nashville, Tennessee. The draft was deep in defensive linemen, and some projected Wilkins as a top-10 pick. Last year the first-team All-American had 15 tackles for a loss and six sacks to help the Tigers win the national championship. He's the first Clemson scholarship player to earn a degree in 2 1/2 years. The Oakland Raiders used the fourth pick in the draft on Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell in hopes of finding the edge rusher to replace Khalil Mack.Ferrell went fourth overall to the Raiders, matching Banks McFadden (1939), Gaines Adams (2007) and Sammy Watkins (2014) for the highest pick in Clemson history.Coach Jon Gruden and first-year general manager Mike Mayock passed up pass rushers rated higher by most analysts like Kentucky's Josh Allen and Houston's Ed Oliver to select Ferrell on Thursday night.The Raiders' most glaring need was at edge rusher after trading Mack last year to Chicago for a package that included two first-round picks. Oakland finished last in the NFL with 13 sacks in 2019, 17 fewer than the next worst team. Their 95 total pressures, according to SportRadar, also ranked last - 29 fewer than 31st place Tampa Bay.Ferrell had 11 1/2 sacks last season for the national champion Tigers and finished with 27 sacks in 84 career games. He also had 59 quarterback pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions. Wilkins, Ferrell and Lawrence have all played an integral part in helping Clemson capture two national championships during their careers.<doc-sep>(Clemson release) NASHVILLE — Clemson made school and NFL Draft history on the first night of the 2019 NFL Draft, featuring the selections of defensive end Clelin Ferrell to the Oakland Raiders at No. 4 overall, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to the Miami Dolphins at No. 13 and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the New York Giants at No. 17. The output marked the first time Clemson had produced three first-round picks in a single draft. The selections also marked the first time in NFL Draft history that a single school produced three players selected as defensive linemen in a single draft. The only other draft to feature three college defensive linemen from a single school in the first round was in 2006, when NC State’s Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo went with the Nos. 1, 22 and 26 picks, respectively, though Lawson was officially submitted as a linebacker. The night in Nashville started with a bang, as the Oakland Raiders selected Ferrell with the fourth overall pick. Ferrell’s selection at No. 4 tied for the highest selection from Clemson all-time, matching the fourth overall selections of Banks McFadden (1939), Gaines Adams (2007) and Sammy Watkins (2014). Wilkins was next off the board to Miami at No. 13, becoming the first player from Clemson to be selected in the first round in Dolphins history. Of Clemson’s nine all-time selections by Miami, each of the last four (DE Phillip Merling, S Chris Clemons, CB Cordrea Tankersley and Wilkins) have come from the defensive side of the ball. Lawrence became Clemson’s historic third selection of the evening at No. 17 overall. Lawrence’s selection continued a pipeline of Clemson players being drafted by the Giants, representing the franchise’s 18th selection from Clemson all-time, moving past the Pittsburgh Steelers (17) for the most of any franchise. With the three selections, Clemson has now had 54 players selected since Dabo Swinney became head coach in December of 2008. With six rounds still remaining, the 2019 draft already represents the 12th consecutive year Clemson has had at least three players selected in the NFL Draft. CLEMSON NOTES Produced three first-round picks for the first time in school history, surpassing the previous record of two, set in the 1979, 1982, 2015 and 2017 NFL Drafts. Produced three first-round picks for the first time in school history, surpassing the previous record of two, set in the 1979, 1982, 2015 and 2017 NFL Drafts. Responsible for producing three players selected as defensive linemen from a single school in a single draft for the first time in NFL Draft history. (Note: In 2006, NC State’s Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo went with the Nos. 1, 22 and 26 picks, respectively, though Lawson was officially submitted as a linebacker professionally.) Responsible for producing three players selected as defensive linemen from a single school in a single draft for the first time in NFL Draft history. (Note: In 2006, NC State’s Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo went with the Nos. 1, 22 and 26 picks, respectively, though Lawson was officially submitted as a linebacker professionally.) Pushed its total of defensive linemen selected in the Head Coach Dabo Swinney era (since the 2009 NFL Draft) to 16. Pushed its total of defensive linemen selected in the Head Coach Dabo Swinney era (since the 2009 NFL Draft) to 16. Has now had multiple defensive linemen selected five times in the last nine drafts (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019). Has now had multiple defensive linemen selected five times in the last nine drafts (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019). Was one of only three schools to produce three first-round picks in 2019 (Alabama and Mississippi State). Was one of only three schools to produce three first-round picks in 2019 (Alabama and Mississippi State). Had two players selected in the Top 15 for the first time in a single draft for the third time in school history, joining the 1960 (Lou Cordileone and Harold Olson) and Had two players selected in the Top 15 for the first time in a single draft for the third time in school history, joining the 1960 (Lou Cordileone and Harold Olson) and Has now had at least one draft selection in each of the last 17 drafts since 2003, representing the second-longest streak in school history behind a 24-year streak across the 1951-74 NFL Drafts. Has now had at least one draft selection in each of the last 17 drafts since 2003, representing the second-longest streak in school history behind a 24-year streak across the 1951-74 NFL Drafts. Has now had at least one first-round selection in six of the last seven NFL Drafts. CLELIN FERRELL NOTES Became the 52nd player to have played for Head Coach Dabo Swinney to be drafted into the NFL, including the ninth first-round pick of his tenure. Became the 52nd player to have played for Head Coach Dabo Swinney to be drafted into the NFL, including the ninth first-round pick of his tenure. Was selected with the fourth overall pick, tying Banks McFadden (1939), Gaines Adams (2007) and Sammy Watkins (2014) for the highest selection by a Clemson Tiger all-time. Was selected with the fourth overall pick, tying Banks McFadden (1939), Gaines Adams (2007) and Sammy Watkins (2014) for the highest selection by a Clemson Tiger all-time. Was selected by Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden, the same head coach who selected Adams at No. 4 overall in 2007 during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Was selected by Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden, the same head coach who selected Adams at No. 4 overall in 2007 during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Became the seventh player selected by the Raiders all-time and the fifth to be selected in the standard NFL Draft (quarterback Lowndes Shingler was selected by the Raiders in the AFL Draft in 1961, and guard James Farr was selected by the Raiders in the NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL Players in 1984). Became the seventh player selected by the Raiders all-time and the fifth to be selected in the standard NFL Draft (quarterback Lowndes Shingler was selected by the Raiders in the AFL Draft in 1961, and guard James Farr was selected by the Raiders in the NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL Players in 1984). Represents the second first-round pick from Clemson in Raiders history, joining Chester McGlockton (No. 16 overall in 1992). Represents the second first-round pick from Clemson in Raiders history, joining Chester McGlockton (No. 16 overall in 1992). Was the ninth Clemson defensive lineman all-time to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (Jim Stuckey, Jeff Bryant, William Perry, Chester McGlockton, Trevor Pryce, Gaines Adams, Vic Beasley, Shaq Lawson). Was the ninth Clemson defensive lineman all-time to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (Jim Stuckey, Jeff Bryant, William Perry, Chester McGlockton, Trevor Pryce, Gaines Adams, Vic Beasley, Shaq Lawson). Represents Clemson’s 30th first-round pick in the NFL Draft all-time, dating back to Banks McFadden’s selection by the NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers with the fourth overall pick in the 1940 NFL Draft. Represents Clemson’s 30th first-round pick in the NFL Draft all-time, dating back to Banks McFadden’s selection by the NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers with the fourth overall pick in the 1940 NFL Draft. Became the third defensive lineman from Clemson selected in the first round since the 2015 NFL Draft (Vic Beasley in 2015; Shaq Lawson in 2016). CHRISTIAN WILKINS NOTES Became the 53rd player to have played for Head Coach Dabo Swinney to be drafted into the NFL, including the 10th first-round pick of his tenure. Became the 53rd player to have played for Head Coach Dabo Swinney to be drafted into the NFL, including the 10th first-round pick of his tenure. Marks the Dolphins’ ninth all-time selection from Clemson, joining Don Testerman (1976), William Devane (1984), Robert O’Neal (1993), Lorenzo Bromell (1998), Jim Bundren (1998), Phillip Merling (2008), Chris Clemons (2009) and Cordrea Tankersley (2017).<doc-sep>NFL draft: Former Clemson CB selected by Raiders TigerNet Staff by Former Clemson defensive back Trayvon Mullen was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 40th overall pick in the second round on Friday. Mullen was a top target for the Raiders on day two of the draft. "The goal going into the day was not to lose Trayvon," Raiders GM Mike Mayock said, "and try to pick up some picks. On the front side of it, we're ecstatic." Mullen joins Clemson defensive teammate Clelin Ferrell in Oakland, who was picked No. 4 overall on Thursday. He is a fourth Tigers defender off the board in the first 40 picks, in addition to Christian Wilkins (Dolphins, No. 13) and Dexter Lawrence (Giants, No. 17). "Has that incredible length," ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said Friday. "With that size, he still has the speed to go along with it, running a 4.4 (40 time) and has great skills...A lot to like about this young man." The south Florida prospect totaled 94 tackles, 4.5 for loss, with four interceptions and 12 pass breakups over 26 starts (41 games) in three seasons. He picked up second-team All-American honors with 37 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception last season. Mullen, who earned a defensive MVP honor in the national championship, went into Friday as one of the top-50 best on the board (43) per ESPN and No. 58 overall on NFL.com's top prospects. Clemson set a school record for the most first-round selections (3) on Thursday and this is the first time the Tigers have had four picked in the top-50. Ferrell and Mullen are one of a trio of selections from the national championship in January, which Mayock scouted in-person. "I don't want to put too much emphasis on one game. You scout the whole season and every snap with guys like this," Mayock said, "but I came away...being on the field before the game was like, 'Wow.' I said to somebody that I would take five of these guys and go home right now, in all honesty and here we are and we've got three of them. It's exciting." #Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen joins Clelin Ferrell in Oakland with the #Raiders pic.twitter.com/fbvPlut5yc — Brad Fralick (@BradFralickWYFF) April 27, 2019 A former Raiders cornerback introducing the next Raiders cornerback. @CharlesWoodson announces our second-round draft pick, @MullenIsland1. ??? April 25-27 ?? ABC, ESPN, NFL Network ?? https://t.co/uZNXvuqQYM pic.twitter.com/6MmLCZhdv0 — Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) April 27, 2019 Mike Mayock attended the national championship game in Santa Clara this January. Three of first four picks as Raiders GM played in it. DE Clelin Ferrell reunites with CB Trayvon Mullen. https://t.co/wXjkN1IhkJ — Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 27, 2019 Clelin's old teammate is joining him. With the 40th pick, we have selected CB Trayvon Mullen from @ClemsonFB.#RaiderNation @MullenIsland1 pic.twitter.com/ejS5DxHtl2 — Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) April 26, 2019 Congrats to Trayvon Mullen. The @Raiders are getting two of our BEST?? #ClemsonNFL — Coach Jeff Scott (@coach_jeffscott) April 26, 2019 Dare we say the Raiders are #ALLIN? Clelin Ferrell and Trayvon Mullen become the 17th pair of Clemson teammates selected by the same NFL team in a single draft. — Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) April 26, 2019 Trayvon Mullen heads to Oakland with the 40th pick! Mullen’s height and length are special, but he earned just a 73.5 coverage grade a year ago and failed to earn coverage grades above 80.0 in the two years prior at @ClemsonFB #NFLDraft https://t.co/tyHIV1LmMu — PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 26, 2019 New Raiders CB Trayvon Mullen allowed a career passer rating when targeted of just 51.1. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/QTSlV2BOeW — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 26, 2019 Trayvon Mullen is a bad dude. Has a chance to be a very good NFL player. — Jake Reuse (@ReuseRecruiting) April 26, 2019 Trayvon Mullen told me Wednesday @nflnetwork he speaks to @AB84 every day since getting to know him on a visit to the Raiders. — Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 26, 2019 Silver & Black goes defense in round two Clemson CB Trayvon Mullen is a Raider ?? pic.twitter.com/00J7CLmcdh — Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) April 26, 2019 This man is having a good 2??0??1??9? ?#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/zXKM63tuH2 — Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 26, 2019 This time last night, the Raiders had gone nine years since taking a Clemson Tiger (Jacoby Ford in 2010). Now they've taken two in 24 hours. — Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) April 27, 2019 New Raiders CB Travon Mullen not only reunited with Clemson teammate DE Clelin Ferrell. He said first-round safety Johnathan Abram is his "best friend." Two trained together for combine. — Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 27, 2019 New Raiders CB Trayvon Mullen on DE Clelin Ferrell: "He's one of the best teammates, one of the best guys I've ever been around. ... He motivated me. He motivated a lot of people throughout the whole season." — Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 27, 2019 Trayvon Mullen: “I can play wherever. I’m a smart, physical guy and I know how to use my feet well.” — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 27, 2019 Trayvon Mullen says he's an elite prospect, thinks he's the best corner in this draft. "I'm aggressive, I play big, I play strong. I'm a tackle guy. I'm physical and I like to get after guys." — Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) April 27, 2019 That Raider Clemson connect heavy ain’t it geeshhhhh?? — Jacoby Ford (@JacobyFord12) April 27, 2019 #Raiders 2nd round pick CB Trayvon Mullen did not allow a touchdown in coverage his entire college career - 0 TDs allowed in 801 coverage snaps over three seasons at Clemson ?? #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/ljoDsmwmZ2 — PFF OAK Raiders (@PFF_Raiders) April 27, 2019 We on to the next great dynasty lil brotha?? @MullenIsland1 — Clelin Ferrell (@Cle_Missile) April 27, 2019 Trayvon Mullen's selection now gives the ?? at least one defensive back selected in nine of the last 11 NFL Drafts.#NFLDraft | #DBU | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/9717IMX684 — Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 27, 2019<doc-sep>
Clemson fell well short of the program-record 10 draft picks it produced in the 1983 NFL Draft, but the 2019 Draft was historic for multiple reasons. The Tigers got off to a rousing start Thursday night when a trio of defensive linemen went off the board in the first 17 picks of the draft, marking the first time in program history that Clemson has had three first-round draft picks. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell was the first Clemson player selected, going to the Oakland Raiders with the fourth overall selection. He was followed by defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who went to the Miami Dolphins with the 13th overall pick, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who was drafted by the New York Giants at No. 17. The early-round success continued on Friday night when cornerback Trayvon Mullen was drafted in the second round by the Raiders with the 40th overall pick. On Saturday, defensive end Austin Bryant went to the Detroit Lions with the 15th pick of the fourth round, 117th overall, then the Raiders plucked their third Clemson player of the draft -- wide receiver Hunter Renfrow -- with the 11th pick of the fifth round, 149th overall. "We're killing it at Clemson," Oakland Coach Jon Gruden told Renfrow. "We're gonna bring in Dabo Swinney next." It marked only the second time in Clemson history that one team had selected three Clemson players in the same draft. The last time that happened was 1983, when the New York Giants drafted safety Terry Kinard, linebacker Andy Headen and wide receiver Frank Magwood. Clemson had three players sign undrafted free agent deals immediately after the draft. Defensive tackle Albert Huggins signed with the Texans, wide receiver Trevion Thompson with the Chargers and linebacker Tre Lamar with the Lions. Cornerback Mark Fields, tackle Mitch Hyatt and linebacker Kendall Joseph were expected to follow. MORE CLEMSON SPORTS NEWS Our sports team follows the goings-on at Clemson athletics even in the off-season. Never miss out on the scores, analysis, insights and more. Please consider becoming a subscriber. Here's our special offer. Other notables about Clemson's 2019 draft: ► Only one other school -- N.C. State in 2006 -- has had three defensive linemen drafted in the first round. ► Clemson has had at least one player chosen in the first round in six of the last seven years. ► Clemson has had 57 players selected since Dabo Swinney became head coach in December of 2008. ► Clemson has had at least three players drafted for 12 consecutive years. ► Clemson has 32 first-round draft picks all-time, dating back to Banks McFadden's drafting by the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. ► The New York Giants love the Tigers; Lawrence became the franchise's 18th all-time selection from Clemson, moving past the Pittsburgh Steelers (17) for the most of any franchise. ► Ferrell's selection at No. 4 tied for the highest all-time for a Clemson player; other No. 4 picks included Banks McFadden in 1939, Gaines Adams in 2007 and Sammy Watkins in 2014. ► Ferrell became the second first-round pick from Clemson in Raiders history, joining Chester McGlockton, who went to Oakland at No. 16 in 1992. ► Clemson has had eight wide receivers drafted in the last seven years. Here's a list of Clemson's players who hoped to be drafted this year. Clemson's prospective NFL Draft picks