Clemson’s 2022 NFL Draft prospects are numerous if the following scouting reports are any indication. Despite a lackluster season — by Clemson’s recent standards — in 2021, the Tigers are set to send a plethora of athletes into the NFL. Most notably, Andrew Booth Jr. is attempting to become the top cornerback selected, while a slew of other defenders could make early impacts in the league. Here are Clemson’s full scouting reports with eyes toward the 2022 NFL Draft.
Clemson 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Booth Jr. is a talented cornerback with a well-rounded skill set. He is joined by a handful of other Clemson defenders, as well as a few talented pass catchers. Though Justyn Ross didn’t quite live up to his freshman season as injuries derailed his career, he could still make a splash in the NFL.
Andrew Booth Jr., CB
Positives: Smallish, instinctive cornerback with outstanding ball skills. Displays great patience, discipline, and awareness of what’s happening on the field. Smooth and fluid pedaling in reverse, quick flipping his hips in transition, and shows terrific playing speed with the ability to recover.
Stays with receivers all over the field, remains on the opponent’s hip out of breaks, and shows an explosive burst to the ball. Battles opponents, does not back down from a challenge, and plays big football. Fires upfield and gives effort defending the run. Instinctive, effectively diagnoses plays, and is rarely challenged by opponents.
Negatives: Gets outmatched by taller wideouts. Gets a little tall in his backpedal on occasion.
Analysis: Booth was a good nickel back at Clemson in 2020 and really elevated his game last season. He’s not the big-bodied cornerback a lot of teams want in this day and age of the NFL. Rather, he’s an instinctive and athletic prospect with next-level ball skills.
Want more information on Booth? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Andrew Booth, Clemson CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Baylon Spector, LB
Positives: Underrated linebacker who plays tough, instinctive football. Quick to read and diagnose the action, takes good angles to plays, and flies around the field. Quickly collapses outside-in against the run, fires out to the sidelines, and effectively makes plays in space. Breaks down well, flows to the action laterally, and wraps up tackling. Displays a closing burst to the play.
Negatives: Not forceful on the blitz. Average timed speed.
Analysis: Spector was a tough, hard-working linebacker who got the most from his ability and played through injury. He offers possibilities at middle or inside linebacker and comes with a special-teams mentality.
Braden Galloway, TE
Positives: Undersized blocking tight end who quickly gets into pass routes, uses his hands to separate from defenders, and works to come free. Plays with terrific knee bend as well as pad level, explodes into blocks, and works through the whistle. Shows ability blocking on the second level.
Negatives: Plays to one speed. Minimal pass-catching skill. Does not possess soft hands and fights the ball. Marginally productive coming into 2021 and struggled with injuries last season.
Analysis: Galloway flashed ability early in his college career and was given Day 3 grades by scouts before he struggled with injury. He possesses an upside, and though Galloway won’t be drafted, he should get stashed on a practice squad with the hopes he’ll continue to develop his game.
James Skalski, LB
Positives: High-revving, intelligent linebacker who is physical, patient, and instinctive. Terrific run defender who quickly finds the ball handler, breaks down well, and sells out to make plays upfield. Quick, efficient, and flows well to the action. Takes proper angles, plays with reckless abandon, and fires to the action. Squares and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Lacks speed in pursuit and cannot cut off the corners from ball handlers. Easily taken from the action by a single blocker. Limited athlete.
Analysis: Skalski is a tough, instinctive linebacker who is almost like having another coach on the field with his ability to quarterback the defense. He’s a two-down defender with limited speed who must make his way onto a roster via special teams.
Justin Foster, DE
Positives: Hard-working defensive lineman who bends his knees, plays with proper pad level, and gives effort defending the run. Nicely redirects to the action. Stout and rarely off his feet.
Negatives: Lacks a quick first step off the snap and shows an average closing burst. Easily out-positioned from plays or engulfed at the point. Poor size and speed.
Analysis: Foster was a hard-working lineman, but he was never much of a factor on the Clemson defense and comes with limited next-level upside.
Justyn Ross, WR
Positives: Once-highly rated receiver who is agile, displaying a fluid and smooth style. Extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target, snatches the ball away from his frame, and quickly turns upfield after the catch. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and competes to come away with the difficult reception.
Consistent hands catcher with outstanding timing. Knows where he is on the field, plays with balance as well as body control, and possesses terrific eye/hand coordination. Stays focused and shows strong hands.
Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage and plays to one speed. Dropped a lot of catchable throws in 2021. Has struggled with injuries the past two years.
Analysis: Ross looked like a superior talent and early first-round pick at the start of his Clemson career. But then he suffered a neck injury and struggled with even more injuries last season. While he made a valiant effort to return in 2021 and flashed skills from the past, Ross was obviously a fraction of his former self and wasn’t nearly as dominant.
Medical exams loom large and will be a determining factor as to where or even if Ross is selected in the draft. He’s no sure thing to make a roster at the next level.
Want more information on Ross? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Justyn Ross, Clemson WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Mario Goodrich, CB
Positives: Fast-rising cornerback who came out of nowhere last season. Quick flipping his hips in transition with opponents downfield, works to get his head back around to locate the ball in the air, and battles receivers to defend throws. Physical, has nice length, and does a solid job diagnosing the action.
Displays terrific recognition in zone coverage, effectively times receptions, and gets vertical to knock away passes. Fires upfield and gives effort against screen passes and running plays. Does a nice job positioning himself against receivers in deep coverage.
Negatives: Too quick upfield at times and gets caught out of position. Had just one real productive season at Clemson.
Analysis: After being a part-time player at Clemson prior to 2021, Goodrich elevated his game and jumped onto the scouting radar. He possesses next-level size and ball skills and a tremendous amount of upside. Goodrich needs to polish his game, but he has the tools necessary to make a roster as either a bump-and-run or zone cornerback.
Want more information on Goodrich? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Mario Goodrich, Clemson CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Nolan Turner, S
Positives: Hard-working safety who is best playing downhill. Instinctive, takes good angles, and plays heads-up football. Stays with assignments, keeps the action in front of him, and displays a burst to the action. Fires upfield defending the run, works to get off blocks, and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Lacks speed getting to the flanks and struggles in coverage. Slow in transition and usually a half-step behind opponents.
Analysis: Turner was a hard-working safety at Clemson who was best making plays up the field and against the run. He possesses speed and scheme limitations and does not come with great upside.