Clemson’s Nate Wiggins Produces First Round 2022 Game Film

It’s all about identifying playmakers on game film and that perfectly describes Clemson’s cornerback, Nate Wiggins.

Out of the seven games studied in 2022, he made multiple pass breakups (PBU’s). All told, he had 13 of them last season and added two more in 2021 in his first season with the Tigers.

Wiggins is the closest thing I’ve seen to Sauce Gardner (No. 4 overall 2022) and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (No. 16 overall 2023) so far in this draft cycle. A lean and lanky long-armed menace with an appetite to play press man and good ball instincts that allow him to make a difference.

So far on 2022 film, I’ve studied corners Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama), Denzel Burke (Ohio State), Kalen King (Penn State), and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, and I’d take Wiggins before any of them.

Could that change?

Sure it could based on what these corners put on 2023 game film heading into the draft.

Has first-round traits that show up on film

Wiggins shows elite, high-level traits on film that catapult his draft stock.

Wiggins has a smooth-like-butter backpedal, quick scampering feet, and can effortlessly flip his hips and get into the routes. Additionally, he shows good field awareness and the ability to control route leverage.

He did show that coveted short-area burst and recovery speed.

Wiggins reminds me of a cross between former NFL corners Fred Smoot (Redskins second-round) and DeAngelo Hall (Falcons first-round).

Hiccups in his game

When a corner has all the attributes of a legit first-round prospect, but is still allowing occasional catches and giving up too much cushion at times it takes extensive study to diagnose why.

There is a little bend-but-don’t-break, a smidge of lackadaisicalness, and even a little riverboat gambler to his game.

This gets him in a little trouble every now and then.

Pure cover corner

If he had to get involved in helping out in pass or run support he would do it. He even blew up one screen pass against South Carolina.

However, if at all possible, he prefers keeping his distance when it comes to support.

It was a real problem in the run against FSU (this one is pretty bad). He also didn’t want anything to do with a reverse against the Gamecocks and he avoided trying to help out on a quarterback run in the Syracuse game like it was the plague. There were other instances as well.

Whoever drafts Wiggins needs to know he is what he is.

Did it when it counted most

Just when I was vacillating between first and second round on Wiggins in his roughest outing of this study against Wake Forest, he came back with the game-saving PBU.

Corners need short memories and Wiggins made a play when it was on the line.

That showed me something – – something I needed to see. I’m currently projecting him in the range of 20-32 overall, but yeah, first-round.

#20 Nate Wiggins (has since changed his jersey number to #2 prior to the Orange Bowl in 2022) 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 17.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 24, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: North Carolina (ACC CCG), FSU, NC State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, South Carolina, and Boston College

2022 stats: 30 tackles (4 assists), 1 interception, 13 passes defended, 0 sacks

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic and thin frame with good flexibility, speed, and ball instincts. Plays mostly press-man coverage, some off-man with limited zone exposure. Physical edge. Looks super smooth. Fast sudden moves. Dancing feet. Twitchy. Effortlessly transitions and carries routes. Good job keeping eyes on the QB. Sticks closer than a brother in coverage. Shadows well. Can handle quick changes of direction, but occasionally allows too much cushion. Doesn’t always play the ball and can draw a flag as a result. Leaves a lot to be desired in support.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Lacidiacial occasionally?

2. Consistently playing the ball?

3. More interceptions?

4. Support?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.