CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Three Clemson players taken on second day of NFL Draft

Three Clemson players taken on second day of NFL Draft


by -

Clemson, SC— Andre Branch Andre Branch
Defensive End
#40 6-5, 260
Richmond, VA

View Full Profile
, Dwayne Allen Dwayne Allen
RS Jr. Tight End
#83 6-3, 255
Fayetteville, NC

View Full Profile
and Brandon Thompson Brandon Thompson
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#98 6-2, 310
Thomasville, GA

View Full Profile
were all drafted by the National Football League on Friday night. Branch was taken in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Allen by the Indianapolis Colts and Thompson by the Cincinnati Bengals.

All three were taken within the first 100 selections of the NFL draft, the second straight year Clemson has had three top 100 picks, but just the second time since 1993. Being a top 100 selection is a good sign for these three Tigers, as 53 of the last 56 Clemson players taken within the first 100 picks of the draft have gone on to play in the NFL. One of the players who has not, is Jarvis JenkinsJarvis Jenkins
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-4, 315
Clemson, SC

View Full Profile
, a rookie last year with Washington who was injured in the preseason and has not had an opportunity to play yet.

Branch was the sixth selection of the second round and the 38th overall selection of the draft by Jacksonville. He is the first former Tiger drafted by the Jaguars, who have been in the NFL since 1995. Branch, who led the ACC in sacks last year with 10.5, is the first Clemson player taken with the 38th pick of the draft since Levon KirklandLevon Kirkland
Linebacker
# 0, 0
,

View Full Profile
was the 38th pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 26, 1992. He is the highest drafted Tiger since C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL

View Full Profile
went ninth overall to Buffalo in 2010.

Allen was the first pick of the third round by the Indianapolis Colts, the 64th overall pick of the draft. Allen, who was the winner of the John Mackey Award as the top tight end in the nation this past year, will join number-one draft pick Andrew Luck of Stanford, and tight end Coby Fleener of Stanford on the Colts team. Fleener and Allen were both finalists for the Mackey Award this past year.

Allen will join former teammate Kavell ConnerKavell Conner
Running Back
# 6-1, 200
Midlothian, VA

View Full Profile
on the Colts team this coming year. Conner, a seventh round pick in 2010, led the Colts in tackles last year.

Thompson was the 93rd overall pick of the draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-team All-ACC performer at defensive tackle is the first Clemson player taken by the Bengals since 1999 when Donald Broomfield was taken in the seventh round.

With the selection of Branch and Thompson, Clemson’s 2010 defense that ranked in the top 10 in the nation in total defense has had six players drafted.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
No. 4 Clemson hosts 49ers
No. 4 Clemson hosts 49ers
Clemson standout freshman earns ACC pitcher of the week again
Clemson standout freshman earns ACC pitcher of the week again
247Sports projects Clemson defense ranking, postseason destination
247Sports projects Clemson defense ranking, postseason destination
Tigers drop in latest baseball Top 25 rankings
Tigers drop in latest baseball Top 25 rankings
Post your comments!