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Clemson NFL Draft Prospect Could Return to School in Stunner
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- Clemson NFL Draft Prospect Could Return to School in Stunner
(USA TODAY Network)
It has not been an easy season for Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore.
Moore entered the 2026 campaign with sky-high expectations after back-to-back strong years to begin his Clemson tenure.
In fact, Moore was being viewed by some as a potential first-round talent in the 2027 NFL Draft.
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But more than halfway through the season, I'm not sure any team is going to even consider Moore with a Day 1 selection at this point.
After yet another dud on Saturday against Virginia Tech in which Moore logged three catches for 25 yards, the junior weapon has totaled just 30 grabs for 269 yards and a touchdown on the season.
Moore is averaging just nine yards per reception, which is in stark contrast to last year when he posted a healthy 16.1 yards per catch.
It has gotten so dire for Moore, as a matter of fact, that you really have to wonder if he will decide to return to school for another year to rebuild his draft stock.
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Because right now, is Moore even guaranteed to be a Day 2 pick?
Yes, Moore's talent is obviously tantalizing, but production matters. Remember: last year, Antonio Williams went into the season tabbed as a first-round talent, but a disappointing showing resulted in Williams falling to the third round.
It's a scary parallel for Moore considering that Williams was also quite a bit more productive in 2025 than Moore has been in 2026.
Of course, it is hardly all Moore's fault.
Clemson's quarterback situation has been a major topic of discussion, as has Dabo Swinney and the rest of the coaching staff.
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The Tigers are not exactly putting Moore in the best position to succeed, which has undoubtedly played a role in his decline.
But we also cannot ignore Moore's part in all of this, either.
The 20-year-old has not played up to par in 2026, wasting opportunities and uncharacteristically dropping some well-placed throws from Tait Reynolds.
And while NFL teams do weigh your supporting cast in college, they aren't going to look too fondly on Moore's current output regardless of his extenuating circumstances.
With Moore potentially headed toward Day 3 status next April, a return for one more year at Clemson — or potentially even a transfer — could be a realistic possibility.
Moore's reputation has been damaged, and it might take another successful season of college football for him to repair it.
