Clemson fell well short of expectations in 2025, going 7-6 after having national championship ambitions. The Tigers entered the season as heavy favorites in the ACC, but barely reached bowl eligibility. Despite the underwhelming results in 2025, Clemson has several premier prospects entering the 2026 NFL Draft. One of those aforementioned prospects is cornerback Avieon Terrell, who’s been a standout on the Tigers defense the last two seasons. He’s a do-it-all defensive back who impacts the game in a multitude of ways. What makes Terrell such a dynamic player, and how does his game translate to the NFL?
2026 NFL Draft: Avieon Terrell Early Scouting Report
Measurables
Height- 5-foot-11
Weight- 180 pounds
Background
Terrell was a three-star recruit and the 54th-ranked cornerback in the Class of 2023 coming out of Westlake (Georgia). He is the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell. Terrell followed in his brother’s footsteps and committed to Clemson. Despite being overlooked coming out of high school, it didn’t take long for him to see the field. Terrell appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman, making five starts. He made 19 tackles and had four pass breakups, along with getting his first interception against Georgia Tech.
Terrell broke out in 2024, starting all 14 games for the Tigers. He racked up 58 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups. Terrell’s success wasn’t limited to just the passing game, as he posted a 90.7 PFF grade defending the run. His versatile playmaking was on full display in 2025, posting 30 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and five forced fumbles in 12 games. Terrell opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Strengths
There aren’t many cornerbacks in college football who are as versatile as Terrell. While he lined up mostly outside, he has also shown the ability to play at nickel. Terrell has the speed and fluid athleticism needed to be a productive corner at the next level. He excels in man coverage and is a player who can play on an island against the opponent’s top wide receiver. His tackling is exceptional for the position, and he brings real value as a run defender. Terrell displays good ball skills, with 25 career pass breakups. He has a rare ability when it comes to punching the ball out, having eight forced fumbles over the past two seasons. Terrell can also get after the quarterback on corner blitzes.
Weaknesses
While Terrell’s game is extremely versatile, there are areas of concern. The most significant concern is his frame, weighing just 180 pounds. This can leave him physically outmatched by bigger wide receivers. He has also struggled with penalties, having seven called on him in 2024. Terrell did cut down on the penalties in 2025, but it’s still something to watch for at the next level.
Overview
Terrell is one of the most exciting prospects in this class. His combination of speed, athleticism, and ball skills gives him tremendous upside. He makes splash plays, whether it be in coverage or defending the run. While his frame is less than ideal for a boundary corner, he’s shown he can win in man coverage. If he can continue to improve his discipline regarding penalties, there’s not much downside to him as a player. Terrell can be a productive player in the NFL as both a boundary cornerback and a nickel cornerback. He is in the mix with Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy as the best corner in the 2026 NFL Draft. Terrell should be selected somewhere in the middle of the first round.
Main Photo: [Jamie Rhodes] – Imagn Images
