Tag: Andrew Mukuba

Former Clemson star declares for the 2025 NFL draft

Mukuba declares for the NFL draft.

Former Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba has announced his decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, sharing his gratitude for the impact both Clemson and Texas had on his college career.

Mukuba, an Austin, Texas native, spent three seasons with the Tigers from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to Texas for his final year in 2024. In a social media post on Monday, he thanked both programs for shaping his journey.

“To my Texas fans, it has been an honor to come home and represent my city,” Mukuba wrote. “To my Clemson family, thank you for three unforgettable years. Clemson will always be a part of me. With that, I’m humbled and excited to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.”

During his Clemson tenure, Mukuba made an immediate impact, earning freshman All-American honors and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. Over 35 games with the Tigers, he recorded 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and an interception.

In his lone season at Texas, Mukuba excelled, collecting 69 tackles, five interceptions, and third-team All-SEC honors. He played a pivotal role in Texas’ College Football Playoff run, including a crucial interception in a double-overtime victory against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.

Mukuba now sets his sights on the NFL, leaving behind an impressive collegiate legacy.

 

Texas thwarts Arizona State in double overtime Peach Bowl

Texas outlasted Arizona State in a thrilling CFP quarterfinal that went to double overtime

Texas advanced to the Cotton Bowl with a win over Arizona State in a CFP quarterfinal on Wednesday The 39-31 win in double overtime was a thrill a minute.

The game came down to Quinn Ewers throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Gunner Helm in the second session.  The two-point conversion went to Matthew Golden.

Arizona State, which overame a 24-8 deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, saw its hopes extinguished when Sam Leavitt was picked off by Andrew Mukuba to end the game and send Texas to Dallas against the winner of the Rose Bowl Ohio State.

Cam Skattebo of Arizona State was marvelous in defeat. Despite beieing ill, the running back threw a touchdown pass, ran for one and completed a two-point converstion to tie the game at 24. He carried the ball 30 times and caught eight passes.

Texas kicker Bert Auburn missed two field goals in the fourth quarter that could have put Texas ahead.

Former Clemson star, Texas safety had some of his ‘best times’ at Clemson

Mukuba still has love for Clemson.

Texas safety Andrew Mukuba, a former Clemson standout, reflected on his time with the Tigers ahead of the Longhorns’ playoff matchup against his old team. Mukuba, who transferred to Texas after two seasons at Clemson, admitted this game carries added significance.
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Some of my best memories were at Clemson,” Mukuba said. “It’s where I started my journey, but now I’m a Longhorn. My focus is on helping my team win.”

Mukuba, a native of Austin, Texas, returned home after a standout freshman season at Clemson in 2021, where he earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His transfer decision stemmed from a desire to be closer to family while continuing to grow as a player.

As Texas prepares to face Clemson in the College Football Playoff, Mukuba remains focused on the task at hand. “It’s going to be special playing against my former teammates,” he said. “But my job is to stay locked in and do everything I can to help Texas succeed.”

Mukuba’s experience at Clemson helped shape his career, but now, he’s determined to make his mark with the Longhorns on college football’s biggest stage.

Texas DB Andrew Mukuba ready to face former team Clemson in College Football Playoff

Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba talks about his former team, Clemson. Ahead of Saturday’s game.

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns face the No. 16 Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, the first-ever meeting between the programs. The game is a homecoming for Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and a reunion for Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba, who transferred from Clemson in spring 2024.

Mukuba has been a key addition to Texas’ defense, earning Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week honors after Texas’ win over Michigan. The Austin native, a former Freshman All-American at Clemson, has posted multiple standout performances this season, including interceptions against Michigan, Georgia, and Florida.

Mukuba reflected on his decision to transfer to Texas, calling his decision tough. He said that Swinney was understanding. Mukuba added on the “Behind The Facemask” podcast that he also suffered from a lack of player development.

“My time there at Clemson, I just felt like I wasn’t really getting better,” Mukuba said in an interview on the Behind The Facemask podcast. “I wasn’t being pushed enough to where I could reach my potential and my peak. The program wasn’t where it needed to be for me and the whole team to be successful. After my junior year, I felt like it was the same thing. After that, it was only right for me to transfer.”

A Lyndon B. Johnson High School graduate, Mukuba excelled as a two-way player and was a four-star recruit. Now, he looks to help Texas secure a playoff victory against his former team. The Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers are set for kickoff on TNT/Max on Saturday at 3pm from Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Dabo Swinney on Clemson facing former Tigers’ star Andrew Mukuba

Swinney on facing Mukuba in the College Football Playoffs.

Clemson football’s College Football Playoff matchup against Texas will bring an interesting twist: the Tigers will face one of their former players, Andrew Mukuba. The defensive back, who spent three seasons at Clemson, now plays a key role in the Longhorns’ secondary.

After announcing the playoff field, Dabo Swinney shared his thoughts on Mukuba during a media call. Mukuba joined Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience Swinney vividly recalled.

“I have so much love for that kid,” Swinney said. “He committed without ever stepping foot on campus because of COVID restrictions. The first time I met him was when he arrived here. It was such a strange time, but his energy and heart were incredible. He made a big impression from day one.”
Mukuba wasted no time becoming a difference-maker. As a freshman, he started Clemson’s season opener, a rare feat, and earned national and conference honors for his performance. Over his career with the Tigers, he tallied 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and an interception, becoming a key figure in the secondary.

“He gave us everything he had,” Swinney said. “I wish his journey could’ve finished here, but he wanted to go back home, and I respect that. He’s an excellent player, and I’m thrilled he’s doing so well this year. He’s had an outstanding season.”

At Texas, Mukuba has continued to shine. He’s appeared in all 12 games, starting nine, and has racked up 52 tackles, four interceptions, 10 passes defended, and a forced fumble—proving to be a major contributor to the Longhorns’ success.

Two Longhorns defensive backs named quarterfinalists for Lott IMPACT Trophy

While they have a roster full of talent, two players who have stood out are Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba

During the first two months of the college football season, defense has been a strength for the Texas Longhorns. While they have a roster full of talent, two players who have stood out are Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba. Due to their play, they have been named quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Through seven games, the Longhorns lead the nation in scoring defense (9.7 ppg) and total defense (237.3 ypg). They also rank ninth in interceptions with 10. With Barron and Mukuba at the center of their success, the Longhorns have been one of the best teams in the country.

In his senior season, Barron has recorded 26 total tackles and added three interceptions to his resume. He currently leads the team in interceptions with three and pass break-ups with five. Last week against Georgia, the Texas native had one of his best games of the season, snagging a career-high two interceptions.

While Barron has been an anchor on defense, he has also gotten some help from Mukuba, who has made headlines with his play. Through seven games, the talented defensive back recorded 18 solo tackles and two pass break-ups. In the Longhorns’ loss to Georgia on Saturday, he snagged two interceptions, becoming the first Longhorn with two interceptions in a game since D’Shawn Jamison in 2019.

Although the Longhorns are chasing a national title, they will be watching how voting for the Lott IMPACT Trophy unfolds. They have two very deserving candidates in Mukuba and Barron, who are only getting better as the games pile up. The finalists will be revealed on December 9 at the annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show in Las Vegas.

Andrew Mukuba earns Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week honors

In the Longhorns win over Michigan on Saturday, Mukuba was a key piece to a Texas defense that only allowed 12 points

For the first time in his career, Longhorns defensive back Andrew Mukaba earned the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week award on Tuesday. In the Longhorns win over Michigan on Saturday, Mukuba was a key piece to a Texas defense that only allowed 12 points.

Against the Wolverines, Mukuba recorded his first career interception as a Longhorn and added four tackles to his resume. He also registered two pass-breakups and made life difficult for the Wolverines receivers all afternoon. Against a ranked team, Mukuba took his game to another level.

As Texas improved to 2-0, the defense limited the defending national champions to 284 yards. The Longhorns also held the Wolverines to 80 rushing yards and kept them off the scoreboard for most of the game. That allowed Quinn Ewers and his weapons to build a lead that Michigan could not overcome.

Through two games, Mukaba has made an instant impact in his new program. The Clemson transfer has recorded six tackles and thrived regardless of the opponent. He brings valuable veteran leadership to a Longhorns secondary that struggled last year.

On Saturday, Mukuba showed just how impactful he can be against one of the best teams in the country. The Longhorns will need to continue for the rest of the season.

Texas DB Andrew Mukuba listed in ESPN’s Top 10 defensive backs

Andrew Mukuba is a Top 10 defensive back in college football according to ESPN.

Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba is making waves this offseason. According to ESPN college football staff, Mukuba is one of the 10 best defensive backs in the nation.

ESPN gave their Top 10 ranking of defensive backs on Friday. College football expert Bill Connelly gave his reasoning for ranking Mukuba among the nation’s elite secondary players.

“After years of relying on a dominant defensive front, Clemson’s defense took an odd turn in 2023. The Tigers’ run defense was merely good, not great, but the pass defense was almost unassailable. Mukuba was the No. 1 reason for that. He erased half the field on any given play: In 10 games, his man was targeted only 27 times and caught only eight balls for 85 yards. That’s a paltry 0.27 yards allowed per coverage snap. He gave up one 20-yard completion all year, and it was a mere 21-yarder.

Now he moves back to his hometown of Austin, where, along with Jahdae Barron and Terrance Brooks, he should form one of the most physical and oppressive cornerback tandems in the country. He can play out wide or in the slot, and he could be a massive difference-maker for the Texas defense.”

The Texas defensive backfield certainly trends positively despite struggles last season. Some of the poor play could have resulted from lack of experience at the position. Mukuba bridges the gap in experience with three years of starting experience at Clemson.

Texas is set to face ESPN’s No. 1 and No. 3 secondary players in Georgia’s Malaki Starks and Michigan’s Will Johnson. Starks had 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups and 52 tackles a season ago. Johnson compiled 4 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 27 tackles.

Mukuba will look to go from top college defensive back to a high NFL draft pick in 2025.

Clemson is one of the 10 teams most ravaged by NFL Draft and transfer portal losses

Swinney and the Tigers are losing a lot of talent to the NFL draft and the transfer portal.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are losing some talent from their 2023 team, and it will be up to the coaching staff and players on the roster to make up for these losses. 

The Tigers got hit in both the NFL draft and the transfer portal, with top players formerly on the roster entering both. There were some big losses, with 247Sports naming Clemson the No.8 roster most ravaged by NFL Draft and transfer portal losses.

Three notable starters were 2024 NFL Draft early exits for the Tigers and they’re forced to replace impact guys in the secondary, too. Clemson won five straight games to end the 2023 season, but there’s reason to believe Dabo Swinney’s team will not be mentioned among the frontrunners to take the ACC.

What’s happening to fix: The only program inside the top 25 in 2024 recruiting without a single transfer portal signee, Clemson has to hope much of its young talent from several elite classes in recent years are ready to star next season. Year 2 for former five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik is vital toward this offense’s success under Garrett Riley as is the expectation a few key returning starters defensively can carry the team.

While the Tigers did lose a lot, I would be lying if I didn’t say I think this is a drastic overreaction. Depending on where you look for betting lines, Clemson is between the No.10 and No.12 for the best odds to win the National Championship next year… Does that sound like a team that won’t be a frontrunner to win the ACC in 2024? No, it doesn’t.

There is talent all over this Clemson roster, and even if you lose a lot, that doesn’t mean your team is going to suffer. The Tigers’ defense is expected to once again be elite in 2024, with most of the concern revolving around the offense.

Now, let’s discuss this Clemson offense a bit. The losses are minimal here, with the biggest loss being star running back Will Shipley. While Shipley is an excellent player and was the focal point of Clemson’s offense for some time, Phil Mafah emerged as the Tigers’ top guy as the season kept going,
Losing Beaux Collins could hurt, but I won’t sit here and act like he was a game-breaker for the Tigers. He had his great moments, but with the great came a lot of bad. Collins had some massive drops this season that directly affected multiple games.

This offense returns a lot, and it truly revolves around development at this point. If Cade Klubnik takes the next step under center and gets more reliable play from the offensive line and wide receiver units… This Clemson team will undoubtedly be one of the most dangerous teams in the ACC.
Clemson is once again becoming something they thrived as: an underdog.

Former Tigers rank high on ESPN’s transfer portal rankings

Former Tigers were some of the top players in the transfer portal.

The transfer portal has become a massive piece of what college football is today and it is something that no team can avoid. Whether you’re as big of a program as an Alabama or as small as an Akron (sorry, Akron), the portal will effect your team in one way or another.

For the Clemson football program, it is far less about what they bring in and ultimately about what they lose. The Tigers are one of the least active transfer portal teams in college football, but that doesn’t mean they don’t lose players to it. We’ve seen some great players depart in the transfer portal, with more coming this season.

ESPN recently ranked the top 75 transfer portal players ($$$), with multiple former Tigers making the list. Here is each of those Tigers and what writer Tom VanHaaren had to say about them.