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          Ravens pick Nate Wiggins in NFL draft after Dabo Swinney text

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          Ravens CB Nate Wiggins' prospect profile (0:47)

          Check out some of the top college highlights from new Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins. (0:47)

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterApr 26, 2024, 02:16 AM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          Before the Baltimore Ravens selected Nate Wiggins in the NFL draft's first round Thursday night, team officials were getting constant reminders from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney that the Tigers cornerback was still on the board.

          "We were getting texts from the head coach," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. "Dabo was texting us during the first round [saying], 'Please take this guy.'"

          Swinney, who attended Wiggins' draft party, gave him a hug after he was drafted by the Ravens.

          "Nate is as talented as we've ever had come through here at his position from a skill set standpoint," Swinney said in a press release Thursday night.

          One of the top cornerbacks in the draft, Wiggins unexpectedly fell to No. 30. He said he was unaware that Swinney had contacted Baltimore, but he was certain that the Ravens were targeting him.

          "They always told me if I was there, and I was available, they were going to take me," Wiggins said. "So, it was just, 'Will I be available?'"