Avieon Terrell, the Clemson cornerback widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, ran into serious trouble Monday. The 21-year-old aggravated the same hamstring injury that had already cost him a spot at Clemson’s Pro Day earlier this month, this time on the very first run of a privately scheduled workout.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Terrell suffered the setback during the first run of his private pro day at Clemson on March 30. The development raises new questions about his durability ahead of a draft just weeks away.
Terrell had been one of the most talked-about defensive prospects in this class, coming off a decorated junior season with the Tigers and carrying the bloodlines of his older brother, Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell.
The Same Hamstring Has Now Flared Twice in the Span of Three Weeks
Terrell first injured his hamstring during on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month. That setback caused him to miss Clemson’s main Pro Day on March 12, where 15 other Tigers worked out for scouts.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid reported at the time that Terrell would hold a private workout for scouts later in March instead. Monday was that workout. He did not finish it.
Clemson CB Avieon Terrell, a projected first-round pick in next month’s draft, aggravated his hamstring injury today on the first run of his private pro day at Clemson. https://t.co/R0JccTJG5M pic.twitter.com/bpwKA5XExb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 30, 2026
Clemson Tigers, Avieon Terrell
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (DB31) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Terrell could not complete the session after the very first run aggravated the injury. A recurring hamstring issue in the pre-draft window, at his age, is something teams cannot ignore.
The Clemson product had been generating real first-round buzz. He recorded 48 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, nine pass breakups, and a national-leading five forced fumbles last season among all cornerbacks.
He was also a second-team AP All-American, first-team All-ACC, and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist.
NFL Teams Are Now Watching the Injury History Just as Closely as the Tape
Terrell is not the first prospect to arrive at the combine with a clean bill of health and leave with a concern. But a hamstring that flares twice in the same pre-draft stretch carries extra weight.
His injury record in college raised some flags even before the combine. Steelers Depot’s scouting report noted a concussion and ankle injury in the spring of 2024, along with a quad issue in the 2025 season against South Carolina.
Clemson Tigers, Avieon Terrell
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell (DB31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, there were already some size and durability questions about his frame at the NFL level. A persistent hamstring issue does not help quiet those concerns.
Several teams have been connected to Terrell in mock drafts. PFF’s latest projection had the Seattle Seahawks selecting him at No. 32 overall, and the team reportedly has already met with him privately.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Green Bay. Terrell has time to recover. But at this stage, every scout who watched Monday’s workout walk off with no workout on film is now running the same math.
His tape remains excellent. The health concern, however, has now appeared twice and that is not something most teams will simply overlook.