Nineteen Tigers in the NFL

by Press Release - Tue Oct 04 14:14:17 GMT-04:00 2005

CLEMSON -- There are currently 19 former Clemson football players on rosters of NFL teams. The list includes four rookies who played on Clemson's 2004 team and three other players who left Clemson after the 2003 season to become practice squad players in 2004. They are also considered rookies in 2005.

At the other end of the spectrum are Chris Gardocki, Brentson Buckner and Brian Dawkins. Gardocki is in his 15th NFL season, the most ever for a former Clemson player in terms of NFL service. He is currently the starting punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buckner is in his 12th NFL season, his fifth with the Carolina Panthers as a starting defensive tackle. He is tied for the longest service among former Clemson defensive linemen with his 12 seasons. Jeff Bryant also played 12 years in the NFL. Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is in his 10th year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Trevor Pryce (Denver) and Dexter McCleon (Kansas City) are both in their ninth seasons.

Among the rookies in the NFL from Clemson are LeRoy Hill and Justin Miller. Hill is a second team linebacker and special teams player for Seattle. Miller is a second team cornerback who has continued his outstanding kickoff return abilities at the next level. Through three weeks, Miller ranks fourth in the NFL in kickoff return average with a 28.6 figure. He had a 30.7 average at Clemson, the fourth highest average in college football history.

No Name Pos Hgt Wgt Yrs Team

57 Keith Adams LB 5-11 223 4 Philadelphia Eagles

99 Brentson Buckner DT 6-2 310 12 Carolina Panthers

64 #Eric Coleman DT 6-5 300 R Minnesota Vikings

17 $Airese Currie WR 5-10 186 R Chicago Bears

20 Brian Dawkins FS 6-0 210 10 Philadelphia Eagles

98 Nick Eason DT 6-3 301 2 Cleveland Browns

87 Rod Gardner WR 6-2 213 5 Carolina Panthers

17 Chris Gardocki P 6-1 192 15 Pittsburgh Steelers

89 Lamont Hall TE 6-4 260 5 New Orleans Saints

88 *Derrick Hamilton WR 6-4 203 2 San Francisco 49ers

56 Leroy Hill LB 6-1 224 R Seattle Seahawks