Clemson Tigers Pro Day Draws Interest From More Than Just NFL Executives

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The Clemson Tigers football program held their annual Pro Day on Thursday, allowing their draft-eligible players to show out in front of a number of NFL scouts before next month's NFL draft.
When it comes to a program like Clemson, every team across the league is going to have somebody in attendance, and this occasion was no different.
All 32 NFL teams had a contingent present to evaluate the best the Tigers had to offer.
Most teams simply sent top scouts, but the Pittsburgh Steelers decided that wasn't enough with head coach Mike Tomlin attending to get an in-person look at some of the best prospects in the nation.
The Steelers, who are coming off a 10-7 season and Wild Card exit, have seven selections this year and will be looking to fill several holes along their roster.
While Tomlin might have been the most recognizable face at the Tigers' Pro Day, there were also a number of other interesting names in the crowd that included several NASCAR representatives.
Clemson says all 32 NFL teams are at today’s pro day. Steelers’ Mike Tomlin is the lone head coach.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) March 13, 2025
NASCAR reps are also here looking for jackmen, fuel men, and the like. (Landon Walker, Sheridan Jones among those who have transitioned into racing crew work.)
While it may seem odd for NASCAR scouts to be at a football Pro Day, it's actually become quite common.
As Jon Blau of The Post and Courier reports, there are several former Clemson players who have made the transition to a career as stock car pit crewmen.
The logic behind this move makes sense.
These are some of the most athletic individuals in the country, and just because they were unable to make the jump to the NFL doesn't mean their time in sports has to be over.
This is perfectly encapsulated in the story of former Tigers' linebacker Jonathan Willard, who also made the leap from college football to the NASCAR circuit (subscription required).
Whether the scouts are looking for future NFL stars or the next addition to their pit crew at Daytona, it's clear that Clemson remains one of the top destinations for athletes who wish to perform at the highest levels.
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Georgia native and avid Atlanta sports fan who has lived in the Charlotte area for the past eight years. Got started writing about sports for my middle school paper and haven’t stopped since. Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and proud 49er. Passionate sports writer who has covered everything from high school soccer to the NFL for several prominent outlets including the Charlotte Observer, ESPN, and the Carolina Panthers. Also covered the South Carolina Gamecocks football program as the lead beat writer for Last Word on College Football, and was a contributing writer for several other notable online publications such as Yardbarker. Lives and breathes sports and will watch whatever is on or in season. Favorite teams include the Braves, Hawks, Falcons, and Georgia Bulldogs. Massive Jordan Speith and Rory McIlroy fan on the PGA Tour