Avieon Terrell

NFL Draft Profile: Avieon Terrell

Position: Cornerback | School: Clemson | Class: Junior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 180 lbs | Archetype: Man

College Career Summary

Avieon Terrell, younger brother of Atlanta Falcons Pro-Bowler A.J. Terrell, has successfully carved out his own legacy at Clemson. After a promising freshman campaign, he exploded onto the national scene in 2024 as one of the ACC's most disruptive corners. By 2025, Terrell transformed into a versatile defensive weapon, remarkably breaking the Clemson single-season record for forced fumbles by a defensive back (5).

His 2025 season was a statistical anomaly for a cornerback, recording 3.0 sacks and showing a "safety-like" appetite for contact despite his sub-200 lb frame. A First-Team All-ACC selection and Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist, Terrell finished his junior year with 46 tackles and 11 pass breakups, solidifying his reputation as a "technician" with a relentless competitive edge.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 39

• Total Tackles: 128 (46 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 9.0 (4.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 4.0 (3.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 3 (0 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 30 (11 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 8 (Clemson DB Career Record)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. LSU	6 Tkl, 1 FF, 2 PD	A-	Star Impact. Forced a fumble against a top-tier SEC offense.
vs. Troy	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	B+	Snuffed out a fake field goal with a sack.
@ Georgia Tech	7 Tkl, 1 FF	B	High volume tackling; recorded his 5th career FF.
vs. Syracuse	6 Tkl, 5 PD	A+	Season Best. Tied school record for single-game PBUs.
@ NC State	2 Tkl, 1 FF	B+	Continued "ball-hawk" habits with another strip.
@ Boston College	1 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Quiet outing; minimal impact in a blowout.
vs. SMU	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Solid coverage; limited deep completions.
vs. Duke	8 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Showed elite Stamina in a high-scoring thriller.
vs. Florida State	3 Tkl, 2.0 Sk	A	Blitzing. Rare 2-sack game for a perimeter corner.
@ Louisville	7 Tkl, 1 FF, 1 FR	A-	Competitor. Ripped the ball away and recovered it.
vs. Furman	1 Tkl	B-	Handled business in limited snaps.
@ South Carolina	1 Tkl, 1 FF	B+	Recorded his 5th FF of the season in the rivalry game.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Master Technician: Terrell plays with the poise of a 10-year veteran. His Footwork in the "soft shoe" press is elite, and he remains patient through the receiver's stem.

• Forced Fumble Specialist: Historically high production in stripping the ball. He doesn't just tackle; he attacks the "shelf" of the ball with violent accuracy.

• Versatility: Though archetyped as a Man corner, his 2025 tape shows he is a devastating blitzer and an elite run defender for his size.

• Bloodline IQ: He possesses innate Play Recognition. He anticipates breaks before they

  happen, often beating receivers to their own landmarks.

Weaknesses

• Size/Weight Concerns: At 180 lbs, he is well below the 200 lb threshold. NFL teams will worry about him holding up against "Power" wideouts on the boundary.

• Lack of 2025 INTs: Despite 11 PBUs, he didn't record an interception in 2025. Scouts want to see him finish more plays with the ball in his hands.

• Functional Strength: While he is a violent hitter, he can be "washed out" in the run game by climbing offensive linemen due to a lack of raw anchor strength.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Slot/Nickel or Boundary Corner in a Man-to-Man heavy system that utilizes DB blitzes.

NFL Comparison: A.J. Terrell (Falcons) / Trent McDuffie (Chiefs)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 14/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 18/20 | IQ: 20/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Avieon Terrell is the "cleanest" evaluation in the 2026 class. While he lacks the "Unicorn" size of a Tacario Davis, he possesses the highest floor of any corner. His ability to create turnovers via the forced fumble is a unique trait that will enamor defensive coordinators. He is a pro's pro who will likely follow his brother's footsteps as a Day 1 NFL starter. His lack of size is the only thing keeping him out of the "Top 10" conversation, but his tape is undeniably first-round quality.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Late) - 2nd Round (Early)