Clemson’s defensive line produced a pair of picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday evening, as the Cincinnati Bengals selected defensive end Myles Murphy with the No. 28 overall selection and the New Orleans Saints added defensive tackle Bryan Bresee one pick later with the No. 29 overall selection.
The consecutive selections of Murphy and Bresee gave Clemson back-to-back first-round picks in a single draft for the first time in program history. The duo became the third Clemson tandem to be drafted back-to-back in any round all-time, joining Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin in 2009 and Marcus Gilchrist and Da’Quan Bowers in 2011.
Murphy, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end from Marietta, Ga., was a two-year starter at Clemson. He finished his career with 70 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was named a second-team All-American in 2022.
Bresee, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive tackle from Damascus, Md., was a freshman All-American in 2020. He missed the 2021 season due to a torn ACL.
The selections of Murphy and Bresee continue Clemson’s recent run of success in the NFL Draft. The Tigers have had at least one first-round pick in nine of the last 11 drafts
ON MYLES MURPHY:
HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY:
“On pure talent, I would probably name Myles with Gaines Adams as far as the combination of length, strength, athleticism, ability to bend, natural explosive power. He is really, really, really special. I think with another year he may have been the first pick in the draft. I think he has that type of talent. I mean, there’s not many people walking the planet that have first overall pick type of talent, but Myles Murphy does. The Bengals are getting him at a value because he’s still a developing player. He was at Clemson for three seasons — two-and-a-half years. He’s an incredibly smart kid, loves football. His dad played pro football. He’s been around it his whole life but his best football is still in front of him. I’m just really excited about seeing him take that next step. He’s just a rare talent. A great kid, very smart and a very cerebral player. Incredibly strong and can fly, you know? You just don’t see guys that can move like him and bend. He’s going to be a great one.
“And the other thing about Myles a lot of people don’t really talk about is he’s durable. Rarely can I ever recall him missing a game or a practice for injury. He always practiced, he was always available, and I think that says a lot about who he is and how he takes care of his body.”
DEFENSIVE ENDS COACH LEMANSKI HALL:
“They are getting a guy who is relentless, powerful and loves the game. He is a physical player, smart. He’s great off-the-field. He’s a professional, and he’s going to come in every day with the mindset of getting better.”
ON BRYAN BRESEE:
HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY:
“Bryan is a guy that could be a Pro Bowler for years to come. He has that in him. And I’m just excited for the Saints because his best football is in front of him. He’s really gotten himself healthy, but this kid has been through so much. He had a great freshman year, missed his second year, got hurt, tore his ACL, and then he comes back and obviously his sister passing, he missed a lot of time and then he had a kidney issue. When this guy is on the field, everybody in the stadium notices. I mean, that’s just who he is, and he’s been that way at every level of football of his life from pee wee to middle school to high school to college. It won’t be any different in the pros; when he’s on the field, everybody will notice him. And the good news for him is, again, he is a high-value, first-round type talent that was available just based on where he is in his development.
“This guy is the ultimate gym rat. He absolutely loves football. He’s passionate about practice, he’s strong and he’s just a guy that I think his teammates are going to love. He’s got a great spirit to him every single day. I think if he can stay healthy, he’s got a great future in front of him as a pro football player.”
DEFENSIVE RUN GAME COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE TACKLES COACH NICK EASON:
“What they’re getting in Bryan is a great young man who comes from a great family, who is very competitive, very tough, very disciplined. He’s very smart and he loves the game. He exemplified all of that throughout my time at Clemson and before and that’s why he’s going to be one of the NFL’s greats for years to come. They have not seen the best of Bryan Bresee yet.”
NFL Draft Analyst Bucky Brooks Reacts to Murphy and Bresee’s Drafting
NFL Draft analyst Bucky Brooks was impressed with Murphy and Bresee.
Bucky Brooks
“Myles Murphy is a dynamic pass rusher with the size and athleticism to be a disruptive force at the next level,” Brooks said. “Bryan Bresee is a powerful run defender with the potential to be a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line.”
Murphy and Bresee’s Drafting is a Sign of Clemson’s Dominance
The drafting of Murphy and Bresee is a sign of Clemson’s dominance in college football. The Tigers have won two national championships in the last six years and have been one of the most consistent programs in the country. The drafting of Murphy and Bresee is a testament to the Tigers’ ability to develop talent
Clemson’s back-to-back selections of Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft are just the latest examples of the program’s success in producing top NFL talent. The Tigers have established themselves as one of the premier programs in college football, thanks to their ability to recruit and develop top talent. Murphy and Bresee are just the latest examples of the program’s ability to produce elite defensive talent. Both players have the potential to become impact players at the next level, and their selections in the first round of the draft are a testament to their hard work and dedication.
As Clemson consistently churns out elite NFL prospects, the program’s reputation on a national level will undoubtedly continue to soar.
Stay Tuned to ESPN’s coverage the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City. What Clemson player will come off the board next. Let us know in the comments
