2023 NFL Draft: Where Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy stack up as prospects among Clemson DL over the years

Dabo Swinney and his team at Clemson have done terrific recruiting, landing many top-tier elite players over the past decade. While the Tigers haven’t inserted themselves into any “Wide Receiver University” or “Cornerback University” conversations, Swinney has sent a fine collection of defensive linemen to the NFL in the first round, and he has two horses poised to become names. familiar during the 2023 draft cycle, Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy.

Both huge rookies eyed the role early in their respective careers at Clemson. Where do they stack up against former Clemson defensive players when they were prospects?

Important to remember here: This is how these players were universally considered prospects, taking into account off-field and maturity issues. Their NFL careers had no bearing on these rankings. Let’s go!

6. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE (2019)

If Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock collaborated on this article, Ferrell would be No. 1. The former Raiders brain trust shocked the draft world in 2019, when they selected Ferrell at No. 4 overall. According to Grinding The Mocks, Ferrell’s expected draft position was nearly No. 20 overall, which created an incredibly wide disparity for a player ultimately selected early in the first round. And Ferrell was a case in which the masses were right. Undoubtedly a stallion at Clemson, with 50.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks in three seasons as a full-time player at Clemson, Ferrell’s stiffness around the corner was evident on film and at the reaper- thresher. His passing-rush moves were average for such a productive player, and his lack of high-caliber flurry limited how quickly he could get to the quarterback.

5.Shaq Lawson, EDGE (2016)

Lawson was a three-year contributor to Clemson, his last two seasons spent as one of the first-string rushers. His sack production went from 3.5 in his second season to 12.5 as a junior, the same year he had 24.5 tackles for loss. A thick game and setting the tone on the edge, Lawson’s game relied more on his natural power than on a spectacular flurry or corner turn. The Bills selected him 19th overall, which at the time was considered a steal in a top class after Joey Bosa. A quality prospect, Lawson ranks 5th in this ranking because he was not considered special.

4. Christian Wilkins, EDGE/DT (2019)

Sure. That word was likely typed into every scouting report on Wilkins during the 2019 pre-draft process. four years with the Tigers. In four seasons as a full-time player, Wilkins has lined up at every position and won. He had 16 sacks with 40.5 tackles for loss and had a grand total of 15 assists. Because he entered the league at 23 – with a birthday in December – Wilkins was viewed with minimal upside, and his profile appeal had more to do with his extensive abilities than his possession of a real asset. , especially as a pass rusher.

3. Bryan Bresee, DT (2023)

Yet another Swinney success story on the recruiting track, and possibly the biggest recruit to walk the halls of Clemson University outside of Trevor Lawrence, Bresee was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2020. The defensive lineman long, versatile and suddenly looked like a future first pick as a true rookie for the Tigers, racking up four sacks and 6.5 tackles behind the line in 430 snaps. The hype intensified. At the start of 2021, Bresee was a threat on the run and once again shone as a pass thrower. He then tore his ACL against NC State just four contests into the season and shoulder surgery kept him off the court for spring training. Bresee’s injuries are holding him back. That’s it. Its gust, its power in contact and its speed over short distance are out of the ordinary. After his junior season, if he can stay on the pitch, it wouldn’t be a shock if Bresee topped the list.

2. Dexter Lawrence, NWT (2019)

Another freak rookie Swinney passed out, Lawrence was the No. 2 rookie (regardless of position) in the 2016 class, and he performed like a mega rookie should during his career at Clemson. Boasting incredible athleticism at 6-4 and around 350 pounds, Lawrence regularly pushed back and easily swam out of centers and guards to not only present himself as a dominant defender on the run, but also as a threatening passer. In three years at Clemson, when double teams were relentless, Lawrence recorded 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. His 48 presses from 336 rushing snaps as a true freshman meant what was to come from Lawrence, and he had a pressure creation rate of over 10% – high for a nose tackle – in two of those three collegiate campaigns. At the time of the draft, Lawrence was considered a decently high upside prospect as he was not yet 22 and extraordinarily secure due to his gargantuan height, athleticism and manual labor. But playing a lower value position ranked him second on this list and that’s why he was only selected 16th overall in the 2019 draft.

1. Myles Murphy, EDGE (2023)

Murphy was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 strong defensive end for the high school class of 2020. He’s been an alpha for quite some time. He’s a tall, long, chiseled defender, truly what has become Clemson’s classic outside rusher. Compared to his 6-foot-5, 275-pound frame, Murphy’s burst jumps off the screen. He likes indoor counter and is generally efficient with it, indicating that he is somewhat advanced for his size. Finally, Murphy has an elite dip-and-rip ability, making his outward speed a real weapon. After four sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman, in 2021 Murphy broke for eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss on 552 snaps, and he more than doubled his pressure total ( from 20 to 42). Although he needs to build his arsenal of passing moves and get stronger, Murphy is Clemson’s best defensive line prospect in the Swinney era, mainly because of the privileged position he plays and his huge advantage.