Nate Wiggins (CB)

Measurements:

Height: 6’1 3/8”

Weight: 173 pounds

Classification: Junior

School: Clemson

Testing Numbers:

Arm: 30 4/8”

Hand: 9”

40: 4.28s

Broad: 10′ 7″

Vert: 36″

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Prospect Background:

What can you say man? This kid is just an athlete. His love for sports began at just four years of age, as he began playing little league football. As time passed he became multifaceted at just about everything: baseball, basketball, track & field, and of course football.

Despite each of these hobbies, it was clear early on that football was his path. He stated that basketball ‘wasn’t his sport’ and that his speed was his ticket and football presented that opportunity to put it to use.

On the gridiron, Wiggins became a difference maker on both sides of the ball, but his calling on the defensive end stood out to him specifically. It makes sense given his attitude. Wiggins loves to talk trash and he has a competitive spirit that bears its-self every time he touches the field.

As a freshman, he once got beat on a double move in practice and he swore it would never happen again — and it didn’t. He made a commitment to refine his game, mature as a person, and bridge the gap between his skillset and technique. This helped turn him into what some considered to be the best cover man on not just Clemson/s roster but the entire country.

“I think that’s the biggest thing I saw is him really buying into what it takes to not just be good but be great. He’s got the ability to be great,” said Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney when asked about Wiggins heading into his second season.

Stats:

• Freshman:
  • Coverage Snaps: 72
  • Targets: 7
  • Receptions Allowed: 1
  • Yards Allowed: 72
  • Touchdowns Allowed: 0

• Sophomore
  • Coverage Snaps: 481
  • Targets: 61
  • Receptions Allowed: 31
  • Yards Allowed: 385
  • Touchdowns Allowed: 2

• Junior
  • Coverage Snaps: 293
  • Targets: 41
  • Receptions Allowed: 18
  • Yards Allowed: 176
  • Touchdowns Allowed: 1

Alignments/Number of Snaps:

• Nickel:
  • 2021: 0
  • 2022: 5
  • 2023: 14

• Outside Corner
  • 2021: 116
  • 2022: 717
  • 2023: 431

• Box
  • 2021: 11
  • 2022: 35
  • 2023: 35

• Safety
  • 2021: 0
  • 2022: 0
  • 2023: 2

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Prospect Overview:

Nate Wiggins is a long and rangy cornerback who’s confidence pops off the screen. During his time at Clemson, he was asked to follow opposing team’s number one receiver on multiple occasions and operated from multiple alignments when doing so.

As a prospect, the marriage between his traits and technique do a magnificent job of working hand in hand. There are a few inconsistencies that could be cleaned up though. For example, he can be a bit high in his backpedal at times which can result in him being a bit delayed in his change of direction.

A patient player that stays in phase until a receiver shows his hand, Wiggins does a great job of monitoring body language as a tell sign in terms of how the receiver is choosing to attack him.

He’s highly disappointed from what I’ve seen of him in run support, but it’s clear that he’s more interested in covering than tackling running backs.

For the most part, Wiggins is a physical player. He fights through contact at the top of routes and has a bit of push-pull tendency to his game that doesn’t allow receivers to create separation on shorter routes, particularly when in press man.

He has really good click and close ability and a keen understanding of route combinations. Wiggins does a good job of not allowing receivers stack him when defending vertically and has long speed and length that don’t allow receivers to create much separation down the field.

With that said, I would like to see him be a bit more aggressive when maneuvering leverage. He has a rep vs. North Carolina when he starts in phase, opens up, and tries to force receiver Tez Walker to the sideline but just wasn’t aggressive enough trying to change his location.

Wiggins project to be an outstanding outside corner at the next level, who could be successful in multiple schemes.

Cover Image Credit: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images