Clemson DT Lawrence to enter NFL draft

The exodus of top Clemson Tigers underclassmen has begun, with first-round prospect Dexter Lawrence headlining a group of three players to declare for the NFL draft on Wednesday.

Cornerback Trayvon Mullen and linebacker Tre Lamar join Lawrence in leaving school early.

Forever a Clemson Tiger🐅! #AllIn #2xChamps #ClemsonFamily #Pterodactyl pic.twitter.com/Iz91sIR3mD

Lawrence, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound defensive tackle, ranks No. 14 on Mel Kiper’s Big Board of the Top 25 draft prospects. A starter since his true freshman season, Lawrence has been a force in the interior of the Tigers’ vaunted defensive line, earning All-ACC honors twice.

Lincoln Riley has produced back-to-back Heisman winners. Now he gets a crack at Spencer Rattler, the top freshman QB recruit in the country.

Lawrence’s departure means Clemson loses all four of its starting defensive linemen, as Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant were all seniors.

But there will be some tough questions for him to answer during the draft vetting process, as he was suspended for the College Football Playoffs after testing positive for a banned substance in December. During media day for the Goodyear Sugar Bowl, Lawrence said he didn’t know how the banned substance appeared in the drug test he took. “I’m not the type of guy to do a selfish act like that,” he told reporters.

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Mullen, rated Kiper’s No. 5 cornerback, started 14 games this season for the national champions and had a big performance in the championship game against Alabama, with six tackles, an interception and forced fumble. He was a second-team All-ACC selection.

Proud of you, @tlamar57!

Always a Tiger… #ClemsonFamily pic.twitter.com/gUze1VG5UY

Lamar, rated the No. 9 inside linebacker prospect, finished second on the team with 85 tackles and also was a second-team All-ACC selection. Both were indispensable parts of a Clemson defense that ranked No. 5 in the nation and shut down its two playoff opponents, Notre Dame and Alabama, holding them to a combined 19 points.

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