Anthony drafted #31 overall in 2015 NFL Draft

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Apr 30 23:26:02 GMT-04:00 2015

Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony Stephone Anthony
Linebacker (2011 - 2014)
#42 6-3, 245
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile was drafted #31 overall by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft on Thursday night. The Saints had a big need at the linebacker position and needed a signal-caller for their defense to replace Curtis Lofton.

Anthony had 206 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his final two years at Clemson as he led the Tigers in tackles those years. As a senior, he had 90 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and was a first-team All-ACC performer.

This is the third time Clemson has had two first rounders in same draft (1979, 1982, 2015) and schools with first round picks the last three years include Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida and Florida State according to Clemson SID Tim Bourret.

It is also the first time in Clemson history that two Clemson defensive players were taken in the first round of a NFL draft.

"I like him," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock after the selection of Anthony. "I thought he was going to be a mid second round pick. He's 6-2 1/2. He's a big inside linebacker, the prototype. I think his best football is ahead of him. He is a little more athletic than you expect. I was at his pro day and was highly impressed with the way he moved in the pass game. That didn't always show up on the tape but what it tells me is he is athletic enough to learn how to do it. So he will be a starting inside linebacker immediately. He blew it up at the Combine. For a linebacker this big - highly athletic."

He first wowed NFL brass and entered their minds after a stellar week at the Senior Bowl event in Mobile, Alabama. He followed that up impressing scouts at the 2015 NFL Combine. He ran an impressive 4.56 forty-yard dash at 243 pounds (best time by a true inside LB), had 23 bench press reps at 225 pounds, shown a 37 inch vertical jump with a 122-inch broad jump and was impressive with on-field drills during the weekend.

The ACC conference tied with the Pac-12 with the most first round draft picks with 9 selections.

Anthony will join former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller who signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Official Clemson Bio - One of the team’s most athletic defensive players ... had 330 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three interceptions for eight yards, 18 quarterback pressures, 13 pass breakups, five caused fumbles and one recovered fumble in 2,264 snaps over 52 games (35 starts) in his career ... changed his jersey from #12, which he wore in 2011 and 2012, to #42 for the 2013 season.

Congrats to Stephone Anthony on being drafted by @Saints #ClemsonFamily #1stRounder #GreatPlayer #BetterPerson pic.twitter.com/OHKVpJMoR6
— Coach Jeff Scott (@coach_jeffscott) May 1, 2015

They have messed around and put two Clemson boys together on same team lets go @stephoneanthony
— Cj Spiller (@CJSPILLER) May 1, 2015

.@TideNFL, I'm ready to be Black & Gold! #Saints fans, tell me what #OurColors represent. #Spon pic.twitter.com/soXklwyMEa
— Stephone Anthony (@stephoneanthony) May 1, 2015

Congrats to my brother @stephoneanthony so happy for you bro I said you was going early but congrats time to eat..
— Sammy Watkins (@sammywatkins) May 1, 2015

Saints got themselves a high motor beast!!! @stephoneanthony #NOpick #Clemson
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) May 1, 2015

With the 31st pick in the NFL Draft the #Saints select Clemson LB Stephone Anthony! #SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/KLC6Kff6au
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 1, 2015

The @Saints select Clemson LB Stephone Anthony with the 31st pick in the #NFLDraft! pic.twitter.com/y8lQaDQoi3
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) May 1, 2015

Now we're @Saints fans, too! Great night for the #ClemsonFamily! Congratulations to Vic and Stephone! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ecKDG9JgAg
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) May 1, 2015

Stephone Anthony