CLEMSON -- Clemson football plays Texas in the first round of the CFP will feature plenty of 2025 NFL Draft prospects.
The No. 12 seed Tigers (10-3) will travel to Austin, Texas, to face the No. 5 seed Longhorns (11-2) on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, TNT) at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. The winner advances to play No. 4 seed Arizona State, the Big 12 champion, in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 1 (1 p.m., ESPN).
Since Dabo Swinney became the coach midseason in 2008, Clemson has produced 83 NFL draft picks, which are the most by any coach in the nation since the 2009 NFL Draft.
Here's what Tiger players to watch when Clemson plays Texas:
Clemson players who are likely to go in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft in April are linebacker Barrett Carter, tight end Jake Briningstool, offensive tackle Blake Miller and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart.
Carter ranks among the top five or top seven in off-ball linebackers among NFL big boards. He is a Butkus Award finalist and earned third-team AP All-American and first-team All-ACC honors.
Carter has a nose for the football, leading Clemson in tackles with 76 this season. His speed and presence will be needed to slow Texas running back Tre Wisner. Areas of improvement are getting off of blocks quicker and fitting run gaps better.
MORE: Andrew Mukuba explains Texas transfer from Clemson, Dabo Swinney reaction: 'I wasn't really getting better'
Briningstool was invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl, an all-star game that showcases top NFL draft prospects who have exhausted their college eligibility. He is Clemson's all-time leader in career receptions by a tight end with 123 and earned third-team All-ACC honors.
Briningstool is a red-zone threat because of his size and leaping ability. He is a strong enough route runner to generate separation and catch passes at the point of attack too. This will be needed against Texas' stout passing defense. An area of improvement for him is run blocking and adding more mass to handle the physicality of NFL.
Miller has an extra year of eligibility but has impressed in his third season. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and has started every game for Clemson in his career. According to Pro Football Focus, he has not allowed a sack this season and has only received one penalty, a drop from his six in 2023.
Miller will be needed against Texas' pass rush that has logged 38 sacks this season, which is tied for ninth in the country. His play will be crucial to keep Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik up in the pocket. Areas of improvement are handling defenders' pass-rush moves and blocking at the second level on run plays.
Texas has been one of the best teams in the country despite losing in the SEC championship. Its only two losses are to Georgia, which beat Clemson in Week 1. Backed by more than 100,000 fans, the Longhorns will beat Clemson and advance to the second round of the CFP. Clemson is 0-2 against SEC teams this season, too.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00