Clemson has seen four of its defensive line standouts become first-round picks (Shaq Lawson, Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins) in recent years, with others (Grady Jarrett, D.J. Reader, Andre Branch) becoming long-term starters after being chosen outside of Round 1. More Tigers D-linemen are likely to be taken in next year’s first round.
Myles Murphy is passing on his senior season (and the Tigers’ Orange Bowl tilt) to enter the 2023 draft, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports. A three-year contributor at defensive end for the ACC power, Murphy is projected to be a first-round pick. Murphy rates as the No. 5 overall prospect, per ESPN.com’s Matt Miller, and colleague Todd McShay has him going off the board 14th overall in his first 2023 mock draft.
A first-team All-ACC selection this season, Murphy finished with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a junior. Contributing steadily in each of his three seasons at Clemson, Murphy totaled 18.5 sacks and 36 TFLs during his three-season run in college. Murphy should be expected to produce a 40-yard dash time in the 4.6-second range, Thamel notes. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Georgia native is a former five-star recruit.
The consensus top two pass rushers expected to be available in this upcoming class are Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Alabama edge Will Anderson. Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson is expected to generate early-first-round buzz as well, while Murphy’s Clemson teammate — former five-star recruit Bryan Bresee — is expected to join him in being a first-round selection. Bresee has not yet declared for the draft.