Andrew Booth Jr. receiving early NFL Draft buzz

Andrew Booth Jr. enters his junior season at Clemson with high expectations. The scouting community is taking notice.

The NFL Draft is still eight months away, but early scouting work is being done. Big boards are being created in the mock draft community as fast-rising prospects are being slotted. Once again, Clemson has a top-tier prospect.

On Tuesday, ESPN senior writer Todd McShay dropped his preseason top-50 prospect list. Booth made an appearance at No. 8 overall. The blue-chipper from Metro Atlanta was the third cornerback on the board, trailing LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. and Florida’s Kaiir Elam.

“Booth excels in press coverage and does a nice job of turning to locate the ball when running with a receiver,” writes McShay. “His balance and quick feet are plus traits, and he has a smooth pedal off the line of scrimmage. But while his recognition skills are solid in zone looks, I think he overreacts to receivers’ initial moves at times in man coverage.”

Booth was the only Clemson player to make an appearance on McShay’s big board. A.J. Terrell is the only former Tiger cornerback to be drafted in the first round during the Dabo Swinney era. Another Metro Atlanta native, Terrell went off the board at No. 16 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Booth looks to become the second high cornerback draft pick under Swinney.

Andrew Booth Jr. outlook for 2021

After last season’s Sugar Bowl performance against Ohio State, the Tigers know improvements must be made in coverage. Clemson could have one of the best pass rushes in college football but will need the coverage in the backend to be sticky for this defense to become elite.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables will be relying on Booth to play to his potential this fall. The junior has only started four games in his career but has produced when given opportunities. With five pass break-ups and two interceptions in just 400 career snaps, Booth has tantalizing playmaking potential. The junior can get Clemson back to its high standard at cornerback.

“We’ve dominated the perimeter the last 10 years since I’ve been here and the perimeter has not been an issue,” Venables told reporters during spring practice. “I thought last year we were soft on the perimeter.”

The Tigers need their star cornerback to play at a high level for the team to reach its ultimate goal. The draft buzz proves that Booth is capable of reaching that high bar.