NFL eligible Clemson players discuss their draft futures

Clelin Ferrell says he hasn't made a decision

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Dec 20 10:52:49 GMT-04:00 2017

CLEMSON – The Clemson coaching staff is busy today reeling in the next bumper crop of recruits while current players are making decisions about their NFL futures.

Today marks the beginning of the early signing period for college prospects and the coaches have received national letters of intent from several of the nations top prospects. During “media day” with current players previewing Clemson’s date with Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, TigerNet asked the big questions about players leaving early.

Junior offensive guard Taylor Hearn was the only player to say that his decision has been made.

"Talking with Coach Swinney and Coach Caldwell we discussed it would probably be beneficial for me to come out this year," Hearn said. "I've graduated and that is what I came here to do and best for me."

Hearn told me that he feels like he’s accomplished all he can accomplish and channeled his inner Frank Sinatra – he did it his way.

“I’ve played in three college football playoffs, and won a national championship,” he said. “I don’t really focus on the media or all of those distractions because I am a player and just wanted to focus on the games. But I’ve got brothers here that will always be my brothers, and I did what I wanted to do.”

Junior wide receiver Deon Cain said he wants to talk to his family once the season is over.

“Right now, I'm mostly just trying to focus in on the season,” Cain said. “Me and my family mostly talk about it but I'm trying to stay level-headed over the next few games that we have coming up.”

Junior wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud said he’s asked for his NFL grade, but like Cain is wanting to focus on beating Alabama.

“It's not a thought right now,” McCloud said. “I have another year of eligibility and I want to get my degree, so that's going to be a very big factor. I'm just focused on Alabama right now. I think Coach (Woody) McCorvey put in (for an NFL grade).

Defensive end Clelin Ferrell said he hasn’t submitted any draft paperwork.

“I'm 100-percent committed to Clemson. It's not fair to me or my teammates to even talk about that or think about that right now,” Ferrell said. “Obviously, I've been blessed my teammates and my coaches and my God to have that type of hype around me and to have that option. I haven't really thought about it a whole lot. I'm just so dialed in on the moment and the task at hand. I'm very excited for this opportunity.”

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins echoed the thoughts of many of his teammates in saying his total focus is on Alabama.

“Right now, I'm still wide open. I don't know what I'm going to do as far as next year and I'm not really trying to think about that right now,” Wilkins said. “I'm focused on the College Football Playoff right now and making the most of my experience here at Clemson. Why cheapen it? I'm having such a great time here with my brothers and the guys I love. I'm really enjoying it. I haven't put much thought into that, so I'm just really focusing on my time here with my guys now.

“I'm not focusing on any of that. I'm just focusing on my time here at Clemson.”