Clemson football program can boast a pretty good NFL lineup
Three former Tigers rate among the best at their position in the NFL.
Clemson football program can boast a pretty good NFL lineup Three former Tigers rate among the best at their position in the NFL. Check out this story on independentmail.com: https://www.independentmail.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2019/02/04/clemson-football-program-can-boast-pretty-good-nfl-lineup/2765508002/
Kelly Gramlich, Special to Orange and White Published 10:42 a.m. ET Feb. 4, 2019 | Updated 10:48 a.m. ET Feb. 4, 2019
These days, the NFL is full of former Clemson football players. During the 2018 season, there were 35 former Tigers on NFL rosters. Nearly 30 percent (10 of 35) of Clemson's current NFL players are wide receivers, including the NFL's second-leading receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Chiefs star Sammy Watkins.
On defense, seven former Tigers are playing in the secondary (safety or cornerback) in the NFL. Clemson also can claim five active defensive linemen in the league as well as four linebackers, including 2018 draft-pick Dorian O'Daniel.
Thirty-five active NFL players is a large number and many former Tigers made their presence known in the league in 2018. However, there are a few that stood out a little more than the rest.
These former Clemson players represented "the paw" in the most impressive fashion in the NFL this past season:
Jan 5, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is chased by Indianapolis Colts strong safety Clayton Geathers (26) in the second quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
In his sixth NFL season with the Houston Texans, Hopkins set career-highs in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,572) while starting all 16 regular-season games. Hopkins was seen by many as perhaps the best wide receiver in the NFL this past season and helped lead the Texans to the AFC South Division Title and a playoff berth. He finished in the Top 5 among NFL wideouts in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and receiving yards per game.
He also was selected to the Pro Bowl and he accomplished all this while being limited in most practices throughout the season due to different injuries.
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Jan 5, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) against the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Deshaun Watson, QB
You can't talk about DeAndre Hopkins' success without mentioning Deshaun Watson and vice versa. Watson, Hopkins' teammate with the Houston Texans, emerged as one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in his second season.
Watson started all 16 games regular-season games, completing 68 percent of his passes for 4,165 yards with 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He also rushed for 551 yards and five scores.
Watson became the first quarterback in NFL history to record 4,000 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 500 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in a season. Watson was also selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl, replacing Tom Brady.
Sep 6, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Eric Hartline, Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Grady Jarrett, DT
Most NFL fans know Grady Jarrett's name because of his performance in Super Bowl 51, when he sacked Tom Brady three times in the Falcons' heartbreaking loss. However, Jarrett is much more than just a one-hit wonder.
In 2018, the fourth-year defensive tackle tallied a career-high six sacks as well as 52 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles. It's obvious why the Falcons have been very clear this offseason that one of their main priorities is to re-sign Jarrett to a big-time deal.
Dec 30, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (10) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Kim Klement, Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Adam Humphries, WR
The undrafted wideout continued to impress in his fourth season with Tampa Bay, playing in all 16 games and starting 10. Humphries recorded career highs in receptions (76), receiving yards (816), touchdowns (5) and receiving yards per game (51.0).
Kelly Gramlich can be heard from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on "Out of Bounds" with William Qualkinbush on WCCP 105.5 The Roar. Find her on Twitter (@kellygramlich).