WATCH: Former Clemson LB talks Deshaun Watson, draft on NFL Network

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Apr 02 14:54:44 GMT-04:00 2018

Former Clemson linebacker Dorian O'Daniel appeared on an NFL Network show Monday ahead of this month's NFL draft (April 26-28).

O'Daniel was asked about former teammate Deshaun Watson and what exactly he can accomplish at the next level.

"Deshaun's the GOAT. When it's all said and done, I think Deshaun will be in the conversation with the Tom Bradys and the Peyton Mannings," O'Daniel said. "Everyone that's played with Deshaun and knows him - no one was surprised (at what he did."

Watson earned AFC offensive player of the month for October shortly before suffering a torn ACL. He was tied for the league-lead in passing touchdowns (19) through two months of his first NFL season.

Watch more from his answer in the clip below:

"When it's all said and done, @DeshaunWatson will be in the conversation with the Tom Bradys and the Peyton Mannings."@Dorian explains why his former @ClemsonFB teammate is the ??.

??: @gmfb pic.twitter.com/k29FMBOaZL
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 2, 2018

O'Daniel turned some heads at the NFL combine in February with the fastest 3-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle of his position group.

He talked more about his draft prep in the interview.

O'Daniel said teams have talked about using his versatility to play other positions, but he is telling teams that linebacker is where he will succeed in the pros. He said that Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith is an NFL player he models his game after, as well as Atlanta's Deion Jones and Tampa Bay's Kwon Alexander.

"They give me hope because so often 'smaller' linebackers get lost in translation," O'Daniel said. "The way the league is going with spread offenses - you need guys to cover the Gronkowskis and Travis Kelces - those fast tight ends. Me being an 'undersized' linebacker - I think I bring that to the table."

A recent USA TODAY mock draft had O'Daniel going in the third round to the Indianapolis Colts.

"I think a GM should add Dorian O'Daniel to their roster because I am bar-none one of the most versatile linebackers in this draft class coming out," O'Daniel said. "I'm a special-teams war-daddy. I am relentless. I'm physical. I'm competitive. And I'm a good guy to have in the locker room."

O'Daniel was a Butkus Award finalist and a first-team All-American last season after totaling 104 tackles (11.5 for loss) with five sacks and two pick-sixes.