CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Meeks says

Meeks says "the chip is still on my shoulder"


by - Senior Writer -

Jonathan Meeks Jonathan Meeks
Safety
#5 6-1, 210
Rock Hill, SC

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knew that not everyone expected to hear his name in regards to the NFL Draft, just another slight in many that has fueled Meeks’ desire to prove people wrong.

The former Clemson safety wasn't listed as a projected draftee by NFLDraftScout.com going in, but he was selected No. 143 overall – a fifth round selection – by the Buffalo Bills Saturday afternoon.

“I was expecting a call, but not necessarily from the Buffalo Bills,” Meeks told TigerNet shortly after learning the news. “I know a lot of people weren’t expecting it, but in the back of my mind I was hoping it would happen. I was really excited when they called. It is a dream come true for me. Getting my name called was amazing. It was one of my goals.”

He said he got the call from Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

“I got to talk to the owner, and then I talked to Buddy Nix, the general manager,” Meeks said. “They called me and told me they were going to select me, and then I got to talk to the rest of the coaches and personnel.”

Meeks had 62 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions for a team-high 74 yards and a touchdown and five pass breakups in 835 snaps (most among Tiger defenders) over 13 games (13 starts) last season.

Meeks wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but did work out for Buffalo.

“I met with them at the All-Star game and (Buddy) Nix came out there to watch practice,” he said. “I had a pretty solid week out at the All-Star game and they expressed some interest in me. Then I took my visit up there and it was a very good visit. I had the chances to meet the coaches and Nix again and it was a very solid visit. They expressed a lot of interest in me and me in them as well, knowing that they are a great program to be a part of and a great organization. It was mutual respect of each other and they had a lot of interest in me.”

Meeks said the combine snub just added to the chip he still carries on his shoulder.

“A lot of that has turned into motivation,” he said. “They say the Draft is definitely not the end; it is the beginning and I haven’t been able to express that the chip is still on my shoulder. Things happen for a reason so that is just going to make me more hungry as a player and as a person as well. It goes back to high school and how I got treated. But I am not satisfied, and there isn’t anything that is going to stop me.”

Meeks will be joining former Clemson teammates Crezdon ButlerCrezdon Butler
Defensive Back
# 6-0, 180
Asheville, NC

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, Chris HairstonChris Hairston
Offensive Line
#61 6-7, 325
Winston-Salem, NC

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and C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller
Pro Running Back
#28 5-11, 195
Lake Butler, FL

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in Buffalo.

“That was a comfortable selection for me,” he said. “I am really happy to be there. I know there is a big opportunity for me in Buffalo, and I am really excited about it.”

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