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Terrell’s gamble pays off with first-round pick

In the days following the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, some wondered if A.J. Terrell was going to come back to Clemson for his senior year.

The junior had a bad day against LSU that night in New Orleans, giving up two pass plays of 52 and 56 yards to Ja’Marr Chase, who set a national championship game record 221 yards on nine catches.

However, scouts still liked Terrell’s length, his physical toughness as a cornerback and feel he can be a quality press-man corner in the NFL. So, Terrell took a chance on himself, and it paid off Thursday when the Atlanta Falcons selected him No.