DT Dynamo: Capehart’s RAS Rocket Propels Him Up Draft Charts
DeMonte Capehart, a 6’5”, 314-pound Clemson defensive lineman, entered the NFL Combine as a fringe Day 3 prospect but left with a jaw-dropping 9.96 RAS—placing him in the top 0.03% of all defensive tackles measured since 1987. His 4.85 40-yard dash, 33.5-inch vertical, and overall athleticism now have him climbing into first- or second-round discussions. While past high-RAS prospects like Jordan Davis (10.0) and Markus Kuhn (9.98) delivered mixed NFL returns, Capehart’s on-field growth—71 tackles, 4 sacks, forced fumble—and his Pro Day swagger suggest scouts are taking notice. An off-field firearms incident in 2024 still lingers, but for now, Capehart’s elite testing numbers have conversations shifting toward his 2026 draft stock.
Surely the combine struggled without Capehart’s Olympic-caliber hop and speed. One imagines scouts shedding tears of joy as they updated their spreadsheets: “He runs like a gazelle but weighs more than our entire defensive line.” If only those spreadsheets also tracked moral fiber, but hey, the NFL loves a redemption arc. Expect every team’s personnel dept. to hang a motivational poster of Capehart’s RAS chart in the break room—right next to coffee that costs more than his projected rookie contract.
Portal Picks Showdown: Clemson’s Reach vs. Safe Transfer Stars
Clemson coach Brad Brownell needs to fill five spots in the transfer portal. At guard, Alex Wilkins of Furman (17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG) is the “reach” dream, while Jaeden Mustaf of Georgia Tech (10.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 38.9% 3PT) is the “safe” option. For wings, Miami-Ohio’s Eian Elmer (12.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 42.9% 3PT) headlines the reach list, with Loyola’s Emmett Adair (6’9”, 46.6% FG) as the fallback. At center, George Mason’s Riley Allenspach (13.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 56.6% FG) is the bold pick, leveraging family ties, while Charleston’s shot-blocking Chol Machot (8.9 PPG, 2.5 BPG) is the reliable choice. Additional names lurk on the radar, making Clemson’s portal strategy a delicate balancing act.
Nothing screams “we’re serious” like labeling one player a “reach” and another a “safe pick,” as if portal shopping is akin to Black Friday at your local bargain bin. Brownell’s team-building resembles speed-dating: swipe right if the stats stun you, swipe left if the floor percentage makes you cringe. And we all know how well assembling a team by committee usually goes—just ask anyone who’s tried assembling Ikea furniture without instructions.
Mid-Major Marvel: Jay Rodgers Poised to Run Clemson’s Backcourt
Central Connecticut guard Jay Rodgers, a three-star transfer with 6.8 assists and 11.0 points per game last season, has caught Clemson’s eye now that the transfer portal is open. Fully healthy for the first time in three years, Rodgers adds veteran poise and playmaking to a backcourt returning Ace Buckner, Zac Foster, Harris Reynolds, and Amare James. Beyond Clemson, PSU, USC, Butler, and Seton Hall also show interest, but the Tigers’ pitch as a Power Four program could be the deciding factor. Coach Brad Brownell, known for recruiting experienced guards like Jestin Porter, may see Rodgers as the missing facilitator for 2026-27.
Ah, the inevitable mid-major guard exodus: nothing quite warms the heart like watching a small-school standout dream of ACC glory. Rodgers’ assist numbers make him sound like a video game cheat code, while his healed leg whispers, “Yes, coach, I’m ready for more court time.” One can only imagine press conference questions: “Jay, will you help our freshmen learn how to actually pass?” and “Jay, can you teach our bigs how to not get trapped in the post?” Rodgers just nods, clutching his medical redshirt like a golden ticket.
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