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Clemson didn't have to wait long to see one of its more high profile players come off the board Thursday night in Nashville (Tenn.), as former All-American defensive end Clelin Ferrell was taken as the fourth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Ferrell had been widely viewed as a first-round take, but his No. 4 selection matched an all-time high for the Tigers.

The 2018 consensus All-American spent four years with the Tigers after red-shirting the 2015 season. Ferrell was a part of two National Championship teams with the Tigers, finishing his collegiate career with nearly 170 tackles, 50 tackles for loss and 27 sacks in nearly four-dozen starts.

Ferrell considered a jump to the NFL following the 2017 season but opted to return to Clemson where he was one-fourth of arguably the top defensive line in college football. The Richmond (Va.) native is the first of what could be as many as three first-rounders for the Tigers tonight.

Out of high school, Rivals.com billed Ferrell as a four-star prospect and the No. 6 weakside end recruit in the nation. Rivals.com rated Ferrell fifth overall regardless of position in the state of Virginia.

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