Heading into Championship Sunday in the NFL, three of the league’s remaining four teams with Super Bowl aspirations feature former Clemson players.
The Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers all have at least two former Tigers on their respective rosters. Only the Detroit Lions don’t feature an ex-Tiger among the teams hoping to earn a Super Bowl ring when Super Bowl LVIII is played next month at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
All told, eight former Clemson players are spread across the rosters of the Ravens, Chiefs and 49ers. That includes Ray-Ray McLeod, the 49ers’ receiver and a return man on special teams.
McLeod had one catch for seven yards in San Francisco’s 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Green Bay last Saturday at Levi’s Stadium. He also returned one kickoff for 23 yards. McLeod played three years at Clemson from 2015-2017 and was part of the 2016 National Championship team.
Clelin Ferrell is a teammate of McLeod’s. The defensive end saw the field for all but one game this season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 49ers’ Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Additionally, former Clemson DL Austin Bryant is a member of the 49ers’ practice squad.
Trayvon Mullen, Trenton Simpson and John Simpson are all members of the Ravens, who face the Chiefs Sunday.
John Simpson has started all 18 games at left guard for the Ravens this season. Trenton Simpson played in only six games this season but had a promising outing for Baltimore against Pittsburgh in Week 18. The 2023 third-round draft pick notched his first career NFL sack to go with seven tackles, including two tackles for a loss.
Mullen suffered a season-ending injury in training camp in August. The former Tigers cornerback earned two national championship rings while at Clemson in 2016 and 2018.
Kansas City’s roster features former Tigers standout receiver Justyn Ross, who has appeared in 10 games and caught six passes for 53 yards. Cornell Powell, a former Clemson receiver, is a member of the Chiefs’ practice squad.
The Chiefs-Ravens tilt is set for a 3 p.m. EST kickoff at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium. The game will be televised by CBS. Lions-49ers is scheduled to follow at 6:30 EST and will be televised by FOX.