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Whilst not having a reputation for being a hugely successful football program, Clemson has produced a lot of individual talent. Trevor Lawrence remains the most prodigious college star to ever emerge from the Clemson Tigers’ program. The university has a burgeoning reputation for quarterback development.
A haul of just three national championships is nothing to really write home about, although notably the two most recent titles came in 2016 and 2018. This shows a really strong program at the moment, and one which is growing into a far more reputable position within the NCAA.
There are currently 39 Clemson alumni playing in the NFL, with the real success stories of the group coming on offense. Below, we will take a deeper look at the top 10 NFL players from Clemson who are plying their trade in the league in 2022.
#1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
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DeAndre Hopkins is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. After being drafted by the Houston Texans, he was a prolific catcher, racking up 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns in 110 starts.
Throughout his NFL career, the former Tigers WR has easily been one of the top 10 NFL players from Clemson. He has recorded 10,581 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns. His 770 successful receptions set an NFL record for the most catches by a player recorded before age 30.
Despite being a five-time Pro Bowler and being selected to five All-Pro teams, a bizarre trade saw him move to Arizona in 2020. Here he continued his incredible form. In his first season with the Cardinals, he recorded 1,407 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
His second season in the desert was a lot less productive. Hopkins was banned for the first six games of the 2022 campaign due to a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
#2. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL since the 2020 season. Off-field incidents have damaged his reputation and led to an NFL suspension, but his football qualities are beyond reproach. Whether that is important in the grand scheme of things is another matter. It’s simply impossible to have a top 10 NFL Clemson player list without Watson.
His last full season came in the 2020 campaign, where he led the league in passing yards with 4,823. He was the best QB in the NFL that season and one of the biggest stars in sports. A dynamic runner with the ball in his hands, as well as a polished passer, Watson is one of the very best to come out of Clemson. He is being painted as the savior for the Cleveland Browns, who showed their faith in him this offseason. They signed him to a fully-guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract.
#3. D.J Reader, DT, Cincinnati Bengals
D.J. Reader is the best Clemson defensive player in the NFL in 2022. He easily makes the list. Having been in the league for seven seasons, Reader is a dominant presence on the defensive line. He’s powerful and excels at stopping the run. In just 75 career starts he has 119 solo tackles.
The Cincinnati Bengals depend on him to stop the run. It’s worth noting that Reader ranks only behind All-Pro duo Aaron Donald and Cam Heyward in run-stop statistics. As the 2021 Bengals reached the Super Bowl, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo put the success of the team’s defense down to the Clemson alum.
“He’s the cornerstone of it all.”
#4. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence isn’t yet the best Clemson player in the NFL, but he could be before retirement. Simply put, there is nothing that Lawrence can’t do with the ball in his hands. He’s a true generational talent who has started to showcase his worth in the NFL.
Bettered only by Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck as QB prospects coming out of college, Lawrence is as close to a guarantee as you’ll find. His throwing motion is a work of art and his 6’6 frame make him a perfect throwback QB. Fans have already seen him improve from a tough rookie year. His league-high 17 interceptions in 2021 have dropped to just four after six games in the 2022 campaign.
#5. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams is a giant of a man in the receiver position. If you were to construct an archetypal receiver in a lab, this would be it. With the energy to be a deep threat, Williams has been spectacular in the NFL, proving to be a key part of the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense.
After six games in 2022 he already has caught for 409 yards and scored two touchdowns. He’s on course to smash his return of 1,146 yards last campaign and is a regular target for Justin Herbert.
#6. Grady Jarrett, DE, Atlanta Falcons
Grady Jarrett has been to two Pro Bowls since being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. This is a tremendous return for a player selected in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft. Hard work has been a motif throughout Jarrett’s professional career and it has paid off. A quick pass rusher off the edge, Jarrett has recorded 26.5 sacks in the NFL. His career-best came in 2019 when he hit the QB 7.5 times.
The Falcons rewarded him with a $68 million contract extension and he is now an undisputed starter on defense for the team.
#7. Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants
There wasn’t a more highly-regarded defensive prospect in high school football than Dexter Lawrence. Clemson pulled off quite the coup when persuading him to join their program, although he hasn’t quite hit the elite level in the NFL.
Since being drafted by the New York Giants in 2019, Lawrence has had a positive impact on the team. In 47 starts he has record 13 sacks and 91 solo tackles. His first three seasons in New York saw him used as an edge rusher, but a switch to nose tackle has brought the best out of him. His 2022 form has been sensational after six games and he's matched his career-best tally of four sacks and one forced fumble.
#8. Christian Wilkins, DT, Miami Dolphins
Christian Wilkins' career began in 2019 with the Miami Dolphins, where he was also used as an edge rusher. Ironically, his best numbers came in his first three seasons, where he collected a total of eight sacks.
2022 and the arrival of Mike McDaniel as coach has seen him move to defensive tackle. The results haven’t shown after six games, with his sack haul standing at zero. His stat sheet gives enough evidence to be confident of a return to form, but 2022 hasn’t been a good year for Wilkins.
#9. Sammy Watkins, WR, Green Bay Packers
Sammy Watkins has been a fantastic example of a Clemson Tiger achieving success in the NFL. Whilst approaching the end of his career at this point in 2022, he has been a brilliant receiver. He has played for the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers.
His best year came in 2015 when he scored nine touchdowns and recorded 1,047 receiving yards. He won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs at the highest point of his NFL career.
#10. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins’ arrival in Cincinnati has coincided with the franchise’s phenomenal turnaround in fortunes. As a rookie, he caught for 908 yards and six touchdowns before improving to 1,091 receiving yards in 2021, en-route to the Super Bowl.
Joe Burrow sees Higgins as a vital option for throwing plays and his 2022 record has seen Higgins hit 362 yards in six games. There is still a lot of improvement to come for the wide receiver, but the Bengals value him in the slot. He is certainly one to watch, as well as being one of the top 10 NFL players from Clemson.
