CLEMSON in the NFL

NFL draft: Austin Bryant selected in fourth round

NFL draft: Austin Bryant selected in fourth round


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Former Clemson defensive end Austin Bryant was selected with the 15th pick in the fourth round (117 overall) by the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

Bryant was ranked the No. 13 edge rusher by CBS Sports and No. 120 overall going in with projections in the fourth round and after - rated No. 10 on NFL.com's best available on Saturday. Bryant was held out of the NFL combine and team workouts leading up to the draft after surgery for a pectoral injury he played through down the stretch last season.

"He can really set the edge," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. "All power and when you have that big three - he's kind of the forgotten man in the discussion. He's a really good player. If he doesn't have the pec (injury), I think he probably goes in the second round of this draft. Really good value (for Detroit)."

"(Lions coach) Matt Patricia likes to rotate his defensive front frequently and that unit needed depth," NFL.com's Matt Dulgerian said. "Bryant offers some pass rush energy for a defense that had the 5th-lowest pressure percentage in the league last season."

He was named a first-team All-American in 2017 with 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Bryant picked up all-bowl selections this past season after a Playoff run that included four tackles for loss and two sacks.

The Pavo, Georgia product finished with 153 stops, 35 for loss, with 20 sacks and 32 QB pressures over 51 games (29 starts).

He is the fourth starter from the two-time national champion D-line to be drafted, joining Clelin Ferrell (No. 4; Oakland Raiders), Christian Wilkins (No. 13; Miami Dolphins) and Dexter Lawrence (No. 17; New York Giants) in the pros.

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