Clemson in the National Football League- Season Preview

By Zachary Wagner

With National Football League rookies reporting last week and veterans reporting to training camps over the past weekend, many former Clemson players saw themselves showing up for what could be a NFL season like we have never seen before due to COVID-19. 

Clemson has a whopping 40 former players on active rosters reporting for training camps. Let’s take a look at some former Tigers and where they are at for the 2020-21 NFL season.

Deshaun Watson- Houston Texans

Watson enters his fourth year with the Houston Texans after leading the team to its first postseason victory since 2016. Watson has become the franchise quarterback for the Texans in just three seasons and will be playing the 2020 season in a contract year. After Patrick Mahomnes 500 million dollar deal this off-season, Watson will likely be the next quarterback to get a large pay day.

In his three seasons in the league, Watson has put up some pretty impressive numbers. The former Clemson star has thrown for 71 touchdowns and 9,700 yards and has added 14 rushing touchdowns.

Deadre Hopkins- Arizona Cardinals  

One of the biggest off-season trades in the NFL involved one of the best wide receivers in the league. The former Clemson fan favorite saw himself headed to Arizona after spending his first seven seasons in Houston. The move broke up one of the best QB-WR combos in the league between Watson and Hopkins, both Clemson products. 

Hopkins has been regarded as one of the top three WR in the NFL over the last five years and boy do his numbers back it up. Since entering the NFL in 2013, Hopkins has put up an impressive 54 touchdown receptions and accumulated over 8,600 receiving yards. 

Sammy Watkins- Kansas City Cheifs

Watkins was a key part of the Cheifs SuperBowl run in 2020. After bouncing around a few teams since entering the league after an incredible collegiate career with the Tigers, Watkins has finally found a home with the Cheifs and Andy Reid. In the Super Bowl last season, Watkins caught five passes and recorded 98 receiving yards en route to securing his first championship ring.

There was speculation following the season that Watkins would hang up his cleats but the WR ultimately decided to bring his talents back and chase yet another ring. Since 2014, Watkins has accumulated 31 touchdowns and 4,200 yards. 

Grady Jarret- Atlanta Falcons

Grady Jarret anchors the defensive line for the Atlanta Falcons entering his sixth year in the NFL. The Clemson product has recorded 248 tackles and has been a menace in the backfield registering 21 and ½ sacks. 

Mike Williams- Los Angeles Chargers 

The National Championship winning WR from Clemson enters his fourth year with the now Los Angeles Chargers who open up a brand new stadium this year. Williams, who is no doubt one of the most underrated pass catchers in the league, is often overshadowed by his teammate; Keenan Allen. 

Nonetheless, Williams’ numbers speak for themselves. Last season, Williams recorded over 1,000 receiving yards, good for 29th in the league. Williams’ also had a 10 touchdown season in 2018. Fully expect Williams to get more involved in the new look Chargers offense this season with the departure of veteran QB Phillip Rivers. 

Christain Wilkins- Miami Dolphins

Loved by Clemson Tiger fans everywhere due to his light heartness and humor, Wilkins has done the same with NFL and Miami Doplhin fans likewise. In his rookie year in the league, Wilkins recorded 56 tackles and 2 sacks on a struggling Miami defense. 

Dexter Lawrence- New York Giants

An integral part of Clemson’s 2019 National Championship round saw himself appear in all 16 games of his rookie year with the Giants. The Clemson “Power Ranger” accounted for 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks. 

The Rookies

Isaiah Simmons- Arizona Cardinals

A.J. Terell- Atlanta Falcons

Tee Higgins- Cincinnati Bengals

Tanner Muse- Las Vegas Raiders

John Simpson- Las Vegas Raiders

K’Von Wallace- Philedelphia Eagles

Tremayne Anchrum- Los Angeles Rams

For a full list of Clemson players in the NFL:]]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/college/_/letter/c

Stay tuned every week of the NFL season as we will be keeping up with Tigers in the pros!