Oct 14, 2026 8:02 PM

The Clemson Tigers could have a top draft pick in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft.

The Clemson Tigers sit at 3-2 on the season, with the team coming together a little after a rough start.

Clemson still has veteran head coach Dabo Swinney leading the charge, giving this team a chance each time out. While Swinney has taken criticism over the years, he still has his guys ready to go each week.

The Tigers' defense has been playing much better of late, giving the team a chance to get back on track. But this team still needs more to happen for Clemson to get where they want to go this season.

This unit is led by a strong secondary, with cornerback Ashton Hampton being one of the stars. Hampton has developed nicely this year, even with the Tigers off to a shaky start.

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The star cornerback has excellent tackling skills, which could help him at the next level after he leaves college. The NFL prides itself on having guys, especially cornerbacks, who can tackle at a high level.

Hampton has generated a ton of NFL buzz this year, and if all goes to plan, he will likely be taken in the first round of the draft. Through the first five games this season for Clemson, Hampton has recorded 15 total tackles (0.5 for loss), one interception, and nine pass deflections.

In a new mock draft from analyst Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, Hampton gets taken in the top 15, being selected by the New York Jets with pick No. 11. Hampton would be going to an up-and-coming Jets team, giving them more firepower to use on defense going forward.

While the Jets haven't made the playoffs since 2019, New York is starting to build more toward being a competitive team. Under head coach Aaron Glenn, the Jets have been much better this season, even in the few losses that the team has suffered.

Glenn is a good coach for Hampton to play under, and New York could be a solid landing spot for the star cornerback. Hampton has improved his play every season at Clemson, and this is a trait that NFL teams love to see play out.

The one knock against the Clemson star is that he can be too aggressive at times, but whatever team drafts him can help work with him on this. Overall, he could be one of the better defensive prospects entering the draft, and the Tigers' faithful will be watching closely to see where he lands.

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