Clemson CB Avieon Terrell makes 2026 NFL Draft decision
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CLEMSON — Clemson football cornerback Avieon Terrell announced on Dec. 8 that he will forego his final year of eligibility next season to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Playing here at Clemson has been an incredible blessing, and I’m grateful for every memory, every challenge, and every opportunity this program has given me,” Terrell posted on Instagram.
He did not include whether he will opt out of Clemson‘s bowl game against Penn State (6-6) on Dec. 27 (noon ET, ABC) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
Terrell, the younger brother of former Clemson cornerback AJ Terrell, recorded 48 tackles, including three sacks, five forced fumbles and nine pass deflections this season. He was first-team All-ACC and a Jim Thorpe award semifinalist, which is given to the nation’s top defensive back.
Avieon Terrell is one of three players in Clemson history to force at least five fumbles in a single season. He holds the program record for most career forced fumbles by a defensive back (eight) and is tied third in Clemson history for forced fumbles.
Terrell is the second Clemson player with eligibility remaining to announce he will enter the NFL draft, joining wide receiver Antonio Williams.
Defensive tackle Peter Woods, edge rushers T.J. Parker and Will Heldt and safety Khalil Barnes all have eligibility remaining but have not announced a decision on they are returning to Clemson or not. Woods and Parker both participated in senior day festivities as they are expected to graduate this month.
Players who are out of eligibility and will try to go to the NFL are quarterback Cade Klubnik, linebacker Wade Woodaz, offensive linemen Blake Miller, Ryan Linthicum, Tristan Leigh and Walker Parks, safety Tyler Venables, running back Adam Randall and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart.
Avieon Terrell NFL draft projections
Terrell is viewed as a potential first- or second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN draft analysts rank him as a top-five cornerback in the draft with his highest ranking at No. 2.
CBS Sports ranks Terrell as the 19th best player in the draft. His older brother, AJ Terrell, was taken 16th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Avieon Terrell to enter 2026 NFL Draft as Clemson loses top cornerback
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