CLEMSON — Six former Clemson football players were selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Cornerback Nate Wiggins, who the Baltimore Ravens selected in the first round, highlighted the class that helped the Tigers finish with a 9-4 record last season.

Next year's draft class may be even better based on Clemson's expectation to make it back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020. It will need huge seasons from nine of their draft-eligible returning starters to end its six-year national-championship drought.

Here are Clemson's top five draft prospects for the 2025 cycle:

Clemson 2025 NFL Draft prospects

Barrett Carter, LB, Senior

Carter could have declared for the NFL Draft in 2024 but returned for his senior season to finish "unfinished business," which includes graduating from Clemson, becoming a team captain and winning the national championship.

As a two-year starter, Carter recorded 135 tackles (20 for loss), nine sacks, 16 pass deflections and three interceptions. He was named an All-American in 2022 and made second-team All-ACC in 2023. As the Tigers' top middle linebacker this season, he can increase his draft stock.

Blake Miller, OL, Junior

Miller has started every game at right tackle since joining Clemson. He has played 1,949 snaps over 27 career games. He earned first-team freshman All-America honors in 2022 and made third-team All-ACC in 2023. The Ohio native is a strong run blocker and looks to improve at pass blocking in his third year with the Tigers.

Phil Mafah, RB, Senior

Mafah played behind Will Shipley for the past two seasons, but he left his mark in 2023 to be a punishing running back for an NFL team. He had his best game of his career in the Gator Bowl in December, scoring four touchdowns against Kentucky.

Mafah earned All-ACC honorable-mention honors last year after logging 1,073 all-purpose yards on 200 touches and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns in 13 games (five starts). He will be the lead back for the Tigers in 2024 and can raise his draft stock for the 2025 cycle.

MORE: How many Clemson football players were picked in 2024 NFL draft? See every selection

Jake Briningstool, TE, Senior

Briningstool is coming off his best season, recording 50 catches, 498 receiving yards and five touchdowns across 13 games (12 starts). He tied Clemson's single-season reception record and became the seventh tight end in program history to record 10 career touchdowns.

Briningstool has increased his production every season and looks to achieve more in his second year under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

R.J Mickens, DB, Senior

Mickens returned for his senior season, eyeing a chance to get Clemson back in the College Football Playoff and to become a Thorpe Award finalist.

Mickens recorded 42 tackles (four for loss) and three pass deflections across 11 games (nine starts) last season. He can make an impact in the NFL next year like his father, Ray Mickens, did for 10 seasons.

Clemson NFL Draft picks 2024

• Round 1, Pick 30: Nate Wiggins, CB, Baltimore Ravens

• Round 2, Pick 35: Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Atlanta Falcons

• Round 4, Pick 127: Will Shipley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

• Round 5, Pick 138: Xavier Thomas, DE, Arizona Cardinals

• Round 5, Pick 155: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Philadelphia Eagles

• Round 6, Pick 196: Tyler Davis, DT, Los Angeles Rams

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson 2025 roster: An early look at Tigers top NFL prospects