NFL Decisions to be made: Where do Clemson's underclassmen stand?

Clelin Ferrell says he hasn't made up his mind about returning

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Tue Dec 18 16:55:29 GMT-04:00 2018

CLEMSON – The Clemson football team held its on-campus Cotton Bowl media day Tuesday afternoon in the Poe Indoor Facility and NFL Draft decision was undoubtedly one of the hot topics.

While head coach Dabo Swinney has his largest senior class, there are also several underclassmen who will have decisions to make whenever the season ends, starting with defensive end Clelin Ferrell who opted to come back for 2018.

What will Ferrell do in 2019? Nobody knows.

“Oh yeah for sure. Why wouldn’t there be? People didn’t think I was coming back last year,” Ferrell said. “Nobody knows what I am going to do because it is my decision. That’s funny that you asked that. A lot of people just really assume stuff for me that really don’t even know me. There are a lot of things that go through my mind. I don’t think about what other people say about me.

“I just take the facts. Take it for what it is. Lay it all out on the table. Then I just decide whatever I think is best for me and I haven’t made a decision yet. Obviously, I don’t feel I have to till after this season because I owe to my teammates to give it my all this season.”

For Ferrell, it will come down to preparedness and his sense of accomplishment at Clemson.

“Do I feel like I am ready to go? Are there some things that I still want to accomplish here at Clemson? Other than that, I am just going to pray on it,” he said.

Several other underclassmen weighed in on their upcoming decisions.

DT Dexter Lawrence

“We definitely talk a little bit about that type of stuff but we know we've got a game to win. It's here and there. It's not an every day, build up that stress type of thing. We're just all trying to win this game and get ready to hopefully play another four quarters. That's been the focus this year.”

S Tanner Muse

“I'm just trying to take this game in. I know I've played pretty good up to this point and I think these next two games will kind of push me where I need to go. I'm going to leave it up to God. He's always got plans for me. In high school, I was really thinking about playing baseball but injuries told me to come play football. I know it will all work out His way, so I'm just going to leave it up to Him.”

OL Tremayne Anchrum

“I’ll be back. I’ll probably wait until next year. I’ve got some things that I want to work on.”

LB Tre Lamar

“I'm just focused on the game and trying to play the best game we can and just be a great Clemson football team.”

LB/S Isaiah Simmons

“I’ve thought about it. I’m not quite sure about it all. It’s something that I’m definitely considering but I’m not trying to stress too much over it right now. I’m going to put all of my focus on these two games. I’ll make a decision on it after the season.”

CB Trayvon Mullen

“I've thought about it a lot but I haven't made a complete decision yet. I just want to finish the season strong and after that, I'll weigh my options, see what's most important and how I can help myself if I come back. If I get first or second round then I'll probably take my chances and move forward just because of personal reasons and stuff like that, but if it's anything lower then I'll make the decision to come back.”

DB K’Von Wallace

"I really don't put too much thought into that. I focus on the next game and the next opponent and worrying about this year. Whatever comes next year, that's in God's hands and out of my control. With that being said, I'll talk to my family and things of that nature. I'll just let God handle all of that stuff. We're just worried about beating Notre Dame and hopefully going to the national championship and beating whoever is there."

TE Garrett Williams

“I've been thinking and praying about it but I won't make a decision until after the season is over.”

OL Sean Pollard

“I’ll be back. I still have a lot to improve and I promised my grandma that I would graduate. I’m looking to graduate in June, so it should be fun.”

*Gage Cervenka and John Simpson both said they would be back.

**NOTE: The media only had 30 minutes with the offensive starters and defensive starters, so if there is a player not mentioned, we didn’t get a chance to ask or they weren’t available.