Clemson's Dabo Swinney Texted Ravens GM 'Please Take' Nate Wiggins in 2024 NFL Draft

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney went to bat for cornerback Nate Wiggins before he was selected 30th overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

According to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta noted that Swinney was in contact with the team prior to the pick: "We were getting texts from the head coach. Dabo was texting us during the first round [saying], 'Please take this guy.'"

In a video on Clemson Football's X account, Swinney predicted that the Ravens would take Wiggins if he was available at No. 30, and he embraced his former player after the pick was made:

Swinney later released a statement in which he praised Wiggins, saying: "Nate is as talented as we've ever had come through here at his position from a skill set standpoint."

Wiggins also commented on landing in Baltimore, noting that he was always firmly on Baltimore's radar: "They always told me if I was there, and I was available, they were going to take me. So, it was just, 'Will I be available?'"

The 6'1" Wiggins is a long corner with blazing speed, and seemingly a perfect fit for Baltimore's defensive system.

He saw significant action at Clemson in each of the past two seasons, recording 29 tackles, one interception and 13 passes defended in 2022, followed by 29 tackles, two picks, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles last season.

Wiggins was the third and final cornerback to come off the board in the first round, following Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22 and Alabama's Terrion Arnold to the Detroit Lions at No. 24.

Wiggins joins a Ravens team that had the best record in the NFL last season, and he has a chance to be an instant starter across from Marlon Humphrey.