Just a day after attending the Georgia Pro Day with a large group, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made his annual visit to Clemson’s Pro Day.
As reported by Jon Blau from The Post and Courier, Tomlin was spotted at Clemson on Thursday, evaluating players who might be strong contenders for the 2025 NFL Draft. Impressively, Tomlin is the only head coach present among representatives from every NFL team, highlighting the significance of this event.
Interestingly, it’s not just football scouts in attendance; NASCAR reps are also scouting for potential recruits for roles like jackmen and fuelmen. Notably, Clemson alums Landon Walker and Sheridan Jones have already made their transition into the racing world.
Tomlin often expresses his enthusiasm for the NFL Draft process, and Clemson’s Pro Day is a regular stop for him, thanks to the outstanding talent continuously produced by Dabo Swinney and his team. This year, a few standout names from Clemson to keep an eye on are linebacker Barrett Carter, tight end Jake Briningstool, running back Phil Mafah, and safety R.J. Mickens.
At the recent NFL Scouting Combine, the Steelers had informal chats with Briningstool and Mickens, whose father is former NFL cornerback Ray Mickens.
Adding to the buzz, QB Cade Klubnik, a potential first-round pick for the 2026 NFL Draft, will showcase his skills at Clemson’s Pro Day as well. Although he’s not draft-eligible yet, it’s a great chance for NFL teams to get an early peek at the Tigers’ promising quarterback.
In the build-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Briningstool is perhaps the most talked-about prospect from Clemson. His latest season saw him catching 49 passes for 531 yards, scoring seven touchdowns. Over his college career, he’s amassed 127 catches for 1,380 yards, with 17 touchdowns to his name. Efram Geller from Steelers Depot compares him to Grant Calcaterra from the Philadelphia Eagles, indicating a promising future.
Mafah, with his notable size and on-field performance, has drawn attention as well. The Steelers already scouted him during the season against Virginia Tech, though an injury kept him from participating in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.
During his last season at Clemson, Mafah impressed with 1,115 rushing yards and eight touchdowns at an average of 5.2 yards per carry over 216 attempts. Although he measured in well at the Combine, he did not participate in testing.
Additionally, Mickens stands out due to his impressive football lineage. His father, Ray, was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round back in 1996. Throughout his Clemson career, R.J. Mickens recorded 229 tackles, 13.5 for loss, seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and even a fumble recovery. He’s one of just ten players in Clemson’s history to play 60 career games, racking up nearly 3,000 snaps. His 2024 stats include 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, and two interceptions.
Clemson Pro Day continues to be a hub for future NFL talent, and with Tomlin in attendance, it’s clear the Steelers are keen to keep their finger on the pulse of emerging football prospects.
