Everyone seems to be forgetting about this Clemson Tigers star.
The Clemson Tigers have a bunch of players who will hear their names called in the NFL Draft next week, and many of them will be selected within the first couple of rounds.
But while Peter Woods, Avieon Terrell and T.J. Parker may be the biggest names for Clemson defensively, everyone seems to be forgetting about a major sleeper who could make a big impact on the professional level: defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart.
Capehart is viewed as a Day 3 pick heading into the draft, with most having him tabbed as a fourth or fifth-round selection.
I understand that Capehart may not be as flashy as the Tigers' other top defenders, but his potential should not be ignored.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman was very impressive at the Scouting Combine, finishing third among all defensive tackles in NFL.com's athleticism score.
DeMonte Capehart. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.He ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, which is rather admirable for a man his size. He also possesses tremendous strength and toughness in the trenches, which could result in Capehart developing into a nasty run defender.
There is no question that the Hartsville, S.C. native is not much of a pass rusher, as evidenced by the fact that he totaled just three sacks across six years at Clemson. But that's okay, especially if he becomes a nose tackle.
While there is a chance that not a single defensive tackle comes off the board in the first round next Thursday, it's still a deep class at the position, and there could be a run on DTs at some point on Day 2.
Woods, Caleb Banks, Kayden McDonald, Lee Hunter, Christen Miller, Domonique Orange and Darrell Jackson — among others — all have the opportunity to become studs in the NFL, and you might want to include Capehart in that list.
Because of the sheer amount of defensive tackles that will be available, Capehart might get buried, and it's also why he has largely been forgotten about when discussing some of the most intriguing prospects.
But make no mistake: NFL teams are surely monitoring Capehart, and he could ultimately become one of this draft's biggest steals.
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