CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Jarrett joins Beasley and Goodman in Atlanta


by - Assoc. Editor -

Clemson defensive tackle Grady Jarrett Grady Jarrett
Defensive Tackle (2011 - 2014)
#50 6-0, 290
Conyers, GA

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was drafted with the first pick in the 5th round (#137 overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons traded up to the top of the fifth round with the Vikings (swapped 5th round picks and gave up a 6th rounder) to get the talented defensive lineman.

Jarrett will be reunited with former Clemson DE Vic Beasley who the Falcons drafted in the first round (8th overall pick) and Malliciah Goodman. Grady's father Jessie Tuggle was able to announce his son's selection at the team event. He played 14 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and was a five-time pro-bowler and in the team's ring of honor.

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity," said Jarrett during the team's conference call after the selection. "He was so proud of me. He's always been close to me and my family. I call him my uncle," Jarrett on legendary linebacker Ray Lewis.

"So grateful for all the congratulations and support shown! Everything happens for reason and according to God's will," Jarrett said on his facebook account. "So happy to be a Falcon and play for the home team. Wow."

Jarrett had 207 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 5.5 sacks, 37 quarterback pressures, one pass break up, two caused fumbles and four recovered fumbles in his career. Jarrett had a career high three and a half tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the 40-6 rout of Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. He also was voted as one of the football team's permanent captains for 2014. As a senior, he had 73 tackles and 12 quarterback pressures.

His personal achievements in 2014 included being named third-team All-American by Athlon, All-Bowl team AP, All-Bowl team NFL.com, First-team All-ACC by ACC Coaches and First-team All-ACC ESPN.com.

ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill had the following to say about Jarrett earlier in the week. "Clemson led the country last season in yards-per-play allowed (4.03), and a big reason why was Jarrett clogging up the middle and disrupting everything opposing offenses tried to do," Luginbill said. "His coaches at Clemson raved about his energy, toughness and fierce competitiveness. Sure, he's barely 6 foot tall and has short arms for a defensive lineman, which will cause him to drop on some teams' boards. But his quickness and ability to play both the run and pass will more than make up for the fact that he doesn't have ideal size. His coach at Clemson, Dabo Swinney, once said that Jarrett was "completely committed" to being a great football player, and that's what he'll be in the NFL, following in the footsteps of his father, former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle, and surrogate uncle, future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis."

"All Grady Jarrett does is show that he can be a disrupter. Powerful, strong, 6 foot and a half, 305 pound fire plug along the interior. Pretty good athlete and incredible upper body strength. He plays with great hand usage. Frees himself up quickly from the offensive guard and center. Good anticipation of the snap and ball. Really good burst as well," Kiper said after the selection of Jarrett.

"Great pick for the Falcons cause they will teammate him up with a nose tackle and he will play the three technique and be the perpetrator and he does a great job of that," former Colts' general manager Bill Polian says after the selection.

"Last guy with a first or second round grade still available on the board. I love the way he shows up to work every single day. He flies around the field as a defensive tackle. He overcame surgery on his shoulder and that might be the reason he fell to this spot," ESPN analyst Todd McShay after the selection of Jarrett.

“Grady Jarrett has the tools to be an 8-10 sack player in the right scheme & a good player against the run," CBS anaylst Pete Prisco.

Jarrett helped the 2014 Tigers lead the nation in total defense, pass efficiency defense, fewest first downs allowed, tackles for loss, tackles for loss yardage, sack yardage, third down defense, fewest yards for pass attempt, fewest yards for play allowed and fewest plays 10+ yards allowed.

According to multiple reports, Grady Jarrett's house partially burned down on Friday night.

Grady Jarrett

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