Which NCAA football conference produces the most draft-worthy prospects? A look at each of the Power Five conferences and their 5 best NFL draft-bound prospects.
We have reached the final day of the five-day series ranking each power five conference’s top five NFL Draft prospects. We end the countdown on the east coast with the ACC.
According to CBS’s draft prospect list, seven players from the conference are ranked in the top 40. There are several talented players in the ACC, headlined by a plethora of defensive playmakers from Clemson.
Here’s a look at the ACC’s top five NFL draft prospects.
#5. Kelvin Harmon, Wide Receiver NC State
Add Kelvin Harmon to the long list of tall and athletic Wide Receivers in the 2019 draft class. The junior, who has already declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, had quite the career at NC State.
In three seasons with the Wolfpack, Harmon racked in 2,665 receiving yards, had 177 receptions and caught 16 touchdown passes. Harmon saved his best year for last. In 2018 the junior caught a career-high 81 passes, 1,186 yards, and seven touchdown catches earning him first-team ACC honors.
At 6’3 and big-play ability, Harmon’s game surely should translate well to the NFL as he hopes to be a reliable all-around playmaker at the next level. The wide receiver class is still shaping up, but if Harmon tests well at the NFL Combine he can make a case to be the first receiver taken in April.
#4. Brian Burns, Defensive End Florida State
It may have been a down year for the Seminoles, but that shouldn’t stop them from having a player selected in the first round of the 2019 draft. Brian Burns is among the top pass rushers in the 2019 NFL Draft.
At 6’5 Burns has shown not only can he get to the quarterback and routinely uses his length to deflect passes at the line of scrimmage.
Burns will be among the first defensive ends taken come day one of the draft and has the potential to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
#3. Dexter Lawernce, Defensive Tackle Clemson
Spoiler alert: it’s all Clemson from here on out. The Tigers have been in the college football playoff each of the last four seasons winning a national championship in that span, so it’s no surprise they are producing a significant amount of NFL talent.
Junior Dexter Lawerence will be among the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2019 draft if he chooses to forgo his senior season. Lawerence is an elite run stopper as so far in his three-year career as of his 131 career total tackles 18 of them have gone for a loss, and 10 have been sacks.
Lawerence has also been good at getting his hands up and knocking down passes as he has defended four passes in his career with three of them coming in 2018, a year in which he recorded 36 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss, had 1.5 sacks and even grabbed an interception. He was named first team All ACC.
Dexter Lawrence is a behemoth of a man at 6’5 and 351 pounds. While the traditional 3-4 Nose Tackle is quickly going the way of the fullback (extinct) in the modern NFL, Lawrence has rare athleticism that we have not seen in a prospect since Dontari Poe. Lawrence should hear his name called in the first round, although he may go later because of positional value.
#2. Christian Wilkins, Defensive Tackle Clemson
The Clemson defensive line streak on this list continues with Christian Wilkins. Wilkins was named a first team all American and was a runner-up to Kentucky’s Josh Allen for nearly every major defensive player of the year award after a dominant senior season.
Wilkins made 46 total tackles with 12.5 of them coming for a loss. He also made 4.5 sacks from his defensive tackle position. Wilkins is a disruptor on the interior of the defensive line who could play as an end in a 3-4 base, or as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 base.
Outside of his defense, two other components make Wilkins a likely hot commodity. He has been put into the game on offense in red zone packages to score touchdowns which he’s done twice this season. Defensive tackles coming in as fullbacks to punch in scores has become more and more common, and Wilkins already has had a successful experience.
Wilkins is also stellar off the field with his charitable work. Wilkins was named the William V. Campbell Trophy winner presented to recognize “an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership.”
Christian Wilkins is a menace on the field while being charitable off the field. Character players are highly coveted by NFL Franchises especially in the wake of recent player controversies. Wilkins has pro bowl potential and could be a cornerstone for an NFL team.
#1. Clelin Ferrell, Defensive End Clemson
Yes, Clemson’s defensive line is that good. The ringleader of that defensive line is Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell’s name is in the mix for the best EDGE prospect in this class and could be a top 5 selection in April’s NFL Draft.
The All-American defensive end is a match-up nightmare for opposing offensive lines. In 2018 Ferell made 47 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and got to the quarterback for 10.5 sacks. He also added two forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown.
When turning on the highlight tape Ferrell’s quickness and ability to get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye jumps out at you. As does his size as he stands 6’5 and has a long wingspan that he utilizes to lock blockers out of his frame.
Ferrell could be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Barring a disastrous combine or an off the field incident, Clelin Ferrell is as much of a lock for the first round as any prospect at this point.