Clemson football’s Blake Miller makes history with first-round selection
Clemson’s Blake Miller is a first-round pick.
Miller, the Tigers’ senior right tackle, was picked No. 17th overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
His selection breaks a decades-long drought for Clemson, which hadn’t produced an NFL first-round offensive lineman since 1960. Miller represents coach Dabo Swinney’s first first-round OL and the program’s first in 66 years.
Miller watched his selection with family and friends in Strongsville, Ohio. He told reporters after his selection that the Lions were one of the many teams he met through with during the pre-draft process.
“I just love the culture and this organization,” Miller said of the Lions. “I love the grit and the toughness that is emphasized. ... I want to uphold that standard.”
Miller (6-7, 317) had an excellent four-year career at Clemson, breaking the program’s record for snaps from scrimmage with 3,778. He earned the starting right tackle position as a true freshman and never gave it up, starting all 54 of his career games at Clemson without missing a single one due to injury.
“He has played a lot of football. He is solid and steady,” Detroit head coach Dan Campbell told FOX 2 Sports in Detroit. “He can do it all. He plays physical in the run game, is freaking smart, tough, headsy. ... We feel he is one who come in, compete and help us with the o-line.”
The former four-star recruit from Ohio was a first team All-ACC pick in 2024 and 2025 and set the program record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist.
Miller, 22, had some moderate NFL Draft buzz after his junior season but opted to return to Clemson. Heading into 2025, he wasn’t considered one of the team’s top prospects, but he rose quickly during the season and in the pre-draft process.
“Blake Miller is one of one,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “I’ve never really had one like him. On the offensive line, I’ve had second-rounders, third-rounders, fourth-rounders, every round you can think, but he’s my first first-round offensive lineman, and, boy, is he worthy.”
Clemson’s last NFL first-round offensive lineman was Lou Cordileone, who was taken No. 12 overall by the New York Giants in 1960. Miller is the highest-picked Clemson offensive lineman in the common draft era (since 1967).
Miller is the Lions’ first Clemson draftee since DE Austin Bryant in 2019.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:52 PM with the headline "Clemson football’s Blake Miller makes history with first-round selection."
