Tristan Leigh, OT Clemson: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Leigh was a five-star recruit from James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va. in the class of 2021

Clemson Tigers left tackle Tristan Leigh is an intriguing prospect who is eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. His physical traits and play strength are impressive, but he might be two years away from having the experience and technical foundation to enter the NFL.

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Tristan Leigh, OT Clemson: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt junior left tackle from Fairfax, Va.

Background: Leigh was a five-star recruit from James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va. in the class of 2021. He was the No. 14 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 27 for Rivals, and No. 24 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 34th (four-star) in the nation with an 88 grade out of 100. The DC Touchdown Club named Leigh the Virginia High School Player of the Year in 2021. He was a First Team All-DMV selection for NBC Sports Washington. Leigh was invited to the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl following his senior season. He also played basketball for James W. Robinson. Leigh’s father, Stan Leigh, played running back at Virginia from 1990-94. The younger Leigh was born on April 28, 2003.

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: N/A

Pros: Experience playing left tackle and minor experience at right guard, rarely penalized, arm length appears to meet NFL thresholds, thick upper body, frame is difficult for edge rushers to play through, explosive reps where he gains the depth to intercept wide-alignment rushers, able to match and carry Jared Verse up the arc (2023), limits size of the B-gap, examples of firm punches helping to push defenders up the arc and around the pocket, quick hands and initial punches, quick to replace hands, throws feints, picks up stunts with good timing, re-anchors against power rushers, anchor helps eat long-arm moves, good leg drive to displace defenders when he’s able to latch and drive, long strides lets him cover ground quickly when pulling, several nice gap run executions vs. Florida State (2023)

Cons: One-year starter, limited to no experience taking snaps on special teams, doesn’t always trust foot speed and agility in vertical pass set to carry wide-alignment defenders up arc, jerky and awkward steps with inside foot during vertical pass sets mess with balance and agility, footwork and angles get sloppy in space, carries hands low, feints are thrown too early to be convincing, wide hand placement allows access to chest, allowing defenders into frame makes him vulnerable to speed to power, requires more independent hand usage and counters, hand fighting is in its developmental stage, pulled forward and off balance in pass pro, vulnerable to club-swim move, lots of reps in pass pro at RG vs. NC State where he didn’t put a body on anyone (2023), concentration and execution on run plays, slides off blocks in the run game, momentum leads to missing or sliding off run blocks, doesn’t sustain run blocks when climbing or pulling, GPS in the run game

Overview: Leigh has only played left tackle at Clemson, with the exception of one start at right guard against North Carolina State in 2023. He is a one-year starter with lots of meat left on the bone in terms of technical development. His arm length appears to meet NFL thresholds. Leigh’s arm length and play strength cover for a lot of the issues he has with his footwork. He has a thick upper body, which makes his frame difficult for edge rushers to play through. The redshirt junior deals with some jerky and awkward steps with his inside foot during vertical pass sets that limit his agility and explosiveness. When his technique is right, he has explosive reps that showcase his ability to step out to defenders or gain depth in vertical pass sets to intercept wide-alignment rushers. Leigh limits the size of the B-gap and rarely loses to inside counters. His footwork and angles get sloppy in pass protection when he has too much open space to operate in. There are plays when he clearly doesn’t trust his foot speed and agility to carry rushers up the arc, so he opens his hips too soon and chases defenders. Leigh has shown examples of firm punches that guide defenders up and around the pocket. His hands are quick, and he replaces them soon after they lose their positioning or are swiped away. The Virginia native throws feints, but he lets them loose too early, so they aren’t convincing. Leigh carries his hands low, and his wide hand placement allows defenders into his frame. This makes him vulnerable to speed to power rushes. He needs to develop more independent hand usage and counters against power rushes. His hand fighting and footwork are in their developmental stages. Leigh generally showcases good awareness to identify and pick up stunts. He re-anchors against power rushers and has the size to eat long-arm moves. Push-pulls and club-swims are the moves that give him the most trouble. Leigh is not an asset in the run game yet. His concentration and execution are subpar as he often slides off blocks or struggles to take proper angles into blocks. The former five-star recruit’s momentum gets out of control and makes it difficult for him to sustain blocks when pulling or climbing. On the bright side, he has the leg drive to displace defenders when he stays square to them. His long strides help him cover ground quickly when pulling or climbing. Leigh’s execution on gap scheme runs was up and down in 2023.

Overall, it’s clear Leigh has the physical traits and play strength to make an NFL-caliber impact, but his technique and consistency reflect his inexperience. He is still a full season or two away from reaching his peak as a prospect. Projecting for steady growth and barring a tremendous breakout season, it would make sense for Leigh to return to school in 2025 and shoot for a top 100 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft instead of declaring after the 2024 season.

Role & Scheme Fit: Left tackle in an inside zone or gap scheme

Round Projection: Late Fourth to Mid Fifth Round

Size: 6'6", 315 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 02-23-24