2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Nate Wiggins is a cornerback out of Illinois. He is from Atlanta, GA and was a 4-star recruit out of Westlake High School.
Wiggins started off slow, starting only 4 games as a Freshman for Clemson. He recorded 2 tackles and 2 passes defended in his playing time.
As a Sophomore for the Tigers, he got into 12 games and saw a substantial uptick in production. He was able to rack up 25 tackles and 9 passes defended.
His Junior season at Clemson is where he took off. He recorded 23 tackles, 4 passes defended and 2 interceptions as he established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2021 | Clemson | ACC | FR | CB | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Clemson | ACC | SO | 13 | 25 | 4 | 29 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 98 | 98.0 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2023 | Clemson | ACC | JR | CB | 10 | 23 | 6 | 29 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2 | 52 | 26.0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Career | Clemson | 49 | 11 | 60 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3 | 150 | 50.0 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Excellent technique allows him to be versatile and play all coverage types.
- Reads defenses better than just about any defender in college.
- Possesses the ideal height and weight to be a prototypical cornerback in the NFL.
- Patient and disciplined in coverage and can play with excellent anticipation.
Weaknesses
- Can be beaten easily with a quick change in direction and will need to refine technique.
- Lacks burst and speed to keep up with elite deep threats.
- Has the height and weight needed but lacks muscle mass and would benefit from hitting the weight room.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Mid-to-Late 1st Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
Currently, the Las Vegas Raiders have the 13th pick overall and are in desperate need of a cornerback of Wiggins’ caliber. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce had the Raiders clicking on all cylinders after taking over the job and if he returns as the Raiders’ head coach in 2024 this defense could be a much-improved unit.
Wiggins could be the young star that the Raiders need and could be exactly what is needed to kick-start this Raiders rebuild.
What direction the Raiders go is anybody’s guess, but this is exactly the kind of player a team could build an elite defensive unit around.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 1.30 to the Baltimore Ravens
Wiggins
