Hamilton, Washington to Turn Professional

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Clemson, SC-Clemson juniors Derrick Hamilton and Donnell Washington

will pass up their final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

Both were second-team All-ACC players for the 9-4 and 22nd ranked

(both final polls) Tigers this past season. This is the first time

since the 2000 season that Clemson has had a player leave early for

the NFL.

"We appreciate the contributions both Donnell and Derrick

made to our program the last four years and we wish them well in

their pursuit of a professional career," said head coach Tommy

Bowden. "Their departure will give some incoming freshmen an

opportunity to help our team next year."

"I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates and the Clemson

fans for all their support the last four years," said Hamilton, who

met with Bowden Friday morning. "Clemson is a great place, I will

miss it. It has been a rewarding experience to represent Clemson

University."

First-team All-America linebacker Keith Adams was the last to leave

after his junior year in 2000. When Adams left, he was drafted by

Tennessee in the sixth round, but did not make a club in 2001. He

is now in his third year in the NFL, currently with the Philadelphia

Eagles.

This will be the first time since 1998 that Clemson has lost

two players with eligibility to the NFL draft. That year Rahim

Abdullah and Corey Hulsey both left with one season of eligibility

remaining. The only other year Clemson lost two players was in 1990

when Dexter Davis and Chris Gardocki turned professional with a year

remaining. Gardocki is still playing in the NFL with the Cleveland

Browns.

Prior to this year, Clemson had nine players leave for the

NFL with eligibility remaining. Eight of the nine eventually made it

to the NFL. Ronald Williams was the only one who did not, but he

played nine years in the Canadian Football League.

Hamilton concluded the season with 62 receptions for 1026

yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished his career as the school's

all-time leader in receptions, kickoff return yards, and all-purpose

running. He had 167 catches, breaking Rod Gardner's record by one.

He joined Gardner as the only players in Clemson history to gain over

1000 yards receiving on one season. His 10 reception touchdowns

established a Clemson single season record. He averaged 34.5 yards

per kickoff return this year, including a 100-yard return against

North Carolina.

Washington led Clemson's defensive front in tackles with 56

during the 2003 season. He had 10 tackles for loss, including four

sacks and led the team in quarterback pressures with 25. He had a

season high nine tackles at Wake Forest and had eight in the win over

Duke. Washington started all 13 games each of the last two seasons.

Clemson Players Who have Turned Professional Prior to Senior Year

Year	Player, Pos	        Draft Result


1989	Terry Allen, RB	        9th round, Minnesota Vikings


1990	Dexter Davis, CB	4th round, Arizona Cardinals


	Chris Gardocki, P	3rd round, Chicago Bears


1992	Ronald Williams, RB	Not drafted, played in Canada


1996	Trevor Pryce, DT	1st round, Denver Broncos


1997	Anthony Simmons, LB	1st round, Seattle Seahawks


1998	Rahim Abdullah, OLB	2nd round, Cleveland Browns


	Corey Hulsey, OT	Not Drafted, Free Agent, Buffalo


2000	Keith Adams, LB	        7th round, Tennessee Titans


2003    Derrick Hamilton, WR


        Donnell Washington, DT

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