CLEMSON in the NFL

DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional

DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional


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CLEMSON, SC - Clemson All-America receiver DeAndre "Nuk" Hopkins, who caught at least one touchdown pass against all 12 FBS opponents the Tigers played in 2012, has decided to forego his senior year and will enter the 2013 NFL draft. Hopkins told his teammates at a team meeting late Thursday afternoon.

"It is tough to leave because this is my home, this is the place I wanted to play since I came out of the womb," said Hopkins. "But, I feel it is best for me and my family to take my talents to NFL at this time.

"I have to thank the Clemson alumni, the fans, the coaches and my teammates for all the support they have given me through the good times and the bad. No matter what I will always be a Clemson Tiger."

Hopkins had one of the best seasons in Clemson history from a receiving standpoint. The native of Central, SC and nearby Daniel High School had 82 receptions for 1405 yards and 18 touchdowns in 13 games. He established ACC records for touchdown receptions in a season, consecutive games with at least one touchdown reception (10) and most games with a reception touchdown (12).

He finished the season with 13 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns in Clemson's win over seventh ranked LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, a 25-24 Clemson victory. His yardage total was a record for the 45-year old bowl game. He was named to a national All-Bowl team as selected by Sports Illustrated this week.

"Nuk was a big reason we won 11 games and reached a final number-10 national ranking," said Head Coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile
. "We have had many talks and he feels it is the best thing for him and his family. I fully support him in his decision.

"He will make an outstanding professional. He has the best hands and ability to catch the ball in traffic I have seen in a long time. He has done a lot for this program and we wish him much success at the next level. We all look forward to following his progress."

Hopkins established Clemson career records for touchdown receptions (27), 100-yard receiving games (12), and total reception yards (3020). He is second in total receptions with 206 for his 39 career games. The 191-yard game in the Chick-fil-A Bowl was his sixth 100-yard game of the year, tying the Clemson single season mark. He caught at least one pass in each of his last 36 games to tie Jerry ButlerJerry Butler
Wide Receiver
# 6-0, 180
Ware Shoals, SC

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's (1975-78) record.

Hopkins also tied the Clemson mark for touchdown receptions in a game with three on two occasions this year, once against Ball State and once at Duke. Twice he scored three touchdowns in under nine minutes.

Hopkins was named first-team All-ACC and was a second-team All-America selection by Athlon, CBS Sports, Lindy's, Phil Steele and Scout.com. He was a third-team selection by Associated Press. He was also a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

Nationally, Hopkins ranked second in the nation in touchdown receptions and was fourth in receiving yardage.

Records Set by DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins
Jr. Wide Receiver
#6 6-2, 205
Central, SC

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(14)

Game (3)

Total Receptions: 13 vs. Auburn, LSU

Touchdown Receptions: ^3 vs. Ball State, Duke

Shortest Time 3 Touchdowns: 7:47 vs. Duke

Season (7)

Touchdown Receptions: #18

Consecutive 100-yard Games: ^3

100-Yard Receiving Games: ^6

Receiving Yards/Game: 108.1

Total Receiving Yards: 1405

Consecutive Games Receiving Touchdown: #10

Most Games with TD Catch: #12

Career: (4)

Touchdown Receptions: 27

100-Yard Receiving Games: 12

Receiving Yards: 3,020

Consecutive Games Catching a Pass: ^36

^ - Denotes tied record

# - ACC Record

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Subject (Replies: 40) Author
spacer Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
Crump®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
form252ss
spacer 2013 BST SHOT FOR TITLE. LAST CHANCE BEFORE REBUILDING YR***
SpillerROH28
spacer Im taking Nuk in my Fantasy Football league next year...***
TigerLight
spacer North and James
CleverTiger
spacer Thoughts on Marquez North and Charone Peake
Prime T. Tiger
spacer Re: North and James
clemtiger820
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
orngeblood
spacer Nice first post my man, point for you.***
TigerLight
spacer Creates great opportunity for Bryant, Peake,
josephg®
spacer Charone Peake
Prime T. Tiger
spacer he glides. amazing stride***
ChapinTiger1
spacer Go get 'em young man. We appreciate all you've done
tigerrh
spacer Will miss hearing NUUUUUUUUUUUK! on Saturdays...
Dr Claw
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
tmac9wr
spacer God bless him. That man has really grown this year.***
DK
spacer I remember when Derrick Hamilton left early and some booed
Johnstone4Life
spacer NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK
CM Shack®
spacer Re: Great young man...
coalman
spacer What a void to fill ...
icebucket®
spacer Like that famous song...
CaseyKasey®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
Dugatiger®
spacer well, dang it.
camdentiger09
spacer You'll be missed, Nuk
grover173
spacer Am I correct? He will qualify for HOF but not ROH.
CUTIGR69
spacer Frank Howard***
CUsouix®
spacer If he comes back to finish his degree, he'd become eligible***
grover173
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
Splode
spacer Thank you Nuuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkk
DspSmd
spacer Re: Thank you Nuuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkk
blackrivertiger
spacer I look forward to seeing NUK...
cmfreeman
spacer I remember seeing Nuk in his frosh year opener against UNT.
Razzmatazz
spacer The biggest issue with not playing Nuke more was...
ClemsonTiger1988®
spacer Or like he's just a complete #####.***
David78®
spacer Basketball is irrelevant to Nuk's freshman year playing time
Razzmatazz
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
jsebe10®
spacer One of our Best players gone. Good for him. Just terrible
tigerfanjack
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
9194 tiger
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
SWIMMER
spacer Re: Front Page Story: DeAndre Hopkins to Turn Professional
David78®
spacer Wish Nuk all the best, would LOVE to see him in Miami.
SpillerTimeTiger