Clemson at South Carolina NFL Draft watch notes

South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram needs a good game to restore his draft stock. He's struggled dealing with a foot injury but is versatile and talented. He's lined up at tackle, end and standing up outside the offensive tackle. Some NFL team is going to a player who will give their defense plenty of options. He just needs a good game to keep his draft stock high.

With Ingram and freshman Jadeveon Clowney playing so well, junior end Devin Taylor has seen his playing time decrease some this season. He needs to come back for his senior season and could develop into a first-round talent.

South Carolina uses senior Antonio Allen in the Spur position, a hybrid safety/linebacker role. It takes advantage of his tackling ability and quickness. He projects as a strong safety in the NFL and should be one of the first players at his position drafted. The Gamecocks use junior DeVonte Holloman at strong safety. At 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, Holloman is a physical specimen and a strong tackler.

Hopefully South Carolina lines junior cornerback Stephon Gilmore up with Clemson superstar freshman Sammy Watkins. Opposing teams rarely throw at Gilmore because he's a lanky ballhawk who can break up well-placed passes. Watkins missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, but has been excellent all season.

Clemson's best draft-eligible player is unquestionably defensive tackle Brandon Thompson He hasn't been quite as impressive as expected this season, with just 5.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season. Defensive end Andre Branch has come on of late and looks like a legitimate top 64 pick. He has 8.5 sacks on the year and 14 tackles for loss. I like how he gets off the line and into the backfield. Branch leads Clemson in tackles this season with 69.

Tigers junior Dwayne Allen is arguably the best tight end in the nation. He has decent size at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds but is fast and has good hands. He hasn't had a touchdown in three weeks and should be challenged by South Carolina's talented back four.