CLEMSON in the NFL

Photo: Shanna Lockwood / USAT
Photo: Shanna Lockwood / USAT

42 former Clemson players on NFL rosters


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Clemson, S.C.—Forty-two former Clemson football players are on NFL rosters as of June 1, as teams go through offseason practices. The list includes six players who were on Clemson’s 2017 team and are considered rookies this coming fall.

Below are some notes about Clemson current players in the NFL:

•Of the 42 former Tigers on rosters, six played for Clemson last year. Those players are Deon Cain, Ryan Carter, Marcus Edmond, Taylor Hearn, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Dorian O’Daniel.

•Twenty-two of the former Clemson players on the list are defensive players (7 cornerbacks, 5 defensive tackle, five linebackers, three defensive ends and two safeties).

•Eighteen of the former Clemson players on the list are offensive players (10 wide receivers, three offensive guards, two tight ends, one quarterback, one offensive tackle and one running back.

•Two of the players on the list are kickers, punter Bradley Pinion of the San Francisco 49ers and kicker Chandler Catanzaro of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

•Thirty former Clemson players were on NFL rosters last year and 34 players appeared in at least one game. According to Sports Reference.com, those 34 players combined to earn $43,408,942 last year.

•As stated above, 10 former Clemson wide receivers are on NFL rosters, the most players from one position in school history in the NFL at the same time. The list includes Jaron Brown, Martavis Bryant, Deon Cain, DeAndre Hopkins, Adam Humphries, Ray-Ray McCloud, Charone Peake, Artavis Scott, Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams. Scott, Watkins, Hopkins and Williams are four of the top five receivers in Clemson history in terms of receptions.

•The Houston Texans have the most former Tigers on their roster with four. The list includes Deshaun Watson, D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. The Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs all have three former Tigers.

•Clemson is represented on the rosters of 21 of the 32 NFL teams. Fourteen of the NFL teams have at least two former Clemson players.

•Twenty-one of the 42 former Tigers on NFL rosters played on the 2015 Clemson team that finished 14-1 and second in the nation. Of course the seniors on the 2018 Clemson team also will count towards that total. So far 13 of the 2016 National Championship Clemson team members are on NFL rosters.

•Thirty-one of the 42 Clemson players on NFL rosters have three years of experience or less, an indication of Clemson’s success in recent years.

•The list does not include Bashaud Breeland, C.J. Spiller and Andre Ellington who all played in the NFL last year but are currently free agents.

Former Clemson Players in the NFL

No Name Team Pos Exp Clemson

20 Mackenzie Alexander Vikings CB 2 2014-15

83 Dwayne Allen Patriots TE 6 2009-11

44 Stephone Anthony Dolphins LB 3 2011-14

63 Tavaris Barnes Redskins DL 3 2011-14

79 Isaiah Battle Seahawks OT 3 2012-14

44 Vic Beasley Falcons OLB 3 2011-14

50 Andre Branch Dolphins DE 6 2008-11

18 Jaron Brown Seahawks WR 5 2009-12

12 Martavis Bryant Raiders WR 3 2011-13

8 Deon Cain Colts WR R 2015-17

46 Ryan Carter Bills CB R 2014-17

7 Chandler Catanzaro Bucs PK 4 2010-13

93 Kevin Dodd Titans OLB 2 2013-15

41 Marcus Edmond Chargers CB R 2014-17

30 Wayne Gallman Giants RB 1 2014-16

31 Marcus Gilchrist Raiders CB 7 2007-10

93 B.J. Goodson Giants LB 2 2012-15

32 T.J. Green Colts S 2 2013-15

62 Taylor Hearn Panthers OG R 2015-17

10 DeAndre Hopkins Texans WR 5 2010-12

10 Adam Humphries Bucs WR 3 2011-14

97 Grady Jarrett Falcons DT 3 2011-14

94 Jarvis Jenkins Chiefs DT 7 2007-10

27 Jayron Kearse Vikings S 2 2013-15

90 Shaq Lawson Bills DE 2 2013-15

86 Jordan Leggett Jets TE 1 2013-16

41 Byron Maxwell Seahawks CB 7 2007-10

3 Ray-Ray McCloud Bills WR R 2015-17

44 Dorian O’Daniel Chiefs LB R 2014-17

17 Charone Peake Jets WR 2 2011-15

5 Bradley Pinion 49ers P 3 2012-14

98 D.J. Reader Texans DT 2 2012-15

10 Artavis Scott Chargers WR 1 2014-16

24 Coty Sensabaugh Steelers CB 6 2008-11

69 Tyler Shatley Jaguars OG 4 2010-13

30 Cordrea Tankersley Dolphins DB 1 2013-16

70 Brandon Thomas Jaguars OG 1 2010-13

91 Carlos Watkins Texans DT 1 2012-16

14 Sammy Watkins Chiefs WR 4 2011-13

4 Deshaun Watson Texans QB 1 2014-16

93 DeShawn Williams Broncos DT 3 2011-14

81 Mike Williams Chargers WR 1 2013-16

Free Agents

26 Bashaud Breeland CB 4 2011-13

38 Andre Ellington RB 4 2009-12

28 C.J. Spiller RB 8 2010-17

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