Pinion first specialist selected in 2015 NFL draft

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Sat May 02 15:12:25 GMT-04:00 2015

Clemson junior punter Bradley Pinion Bradley Pinion
Punter (2012 - 2014)
#92 6-6, 230
Concord, NC
View Full Profile was drafted in the 5th round (#165 overall) by the San Franciso 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.

Pinion was the first specialist drafted in the entire draft after declaring early from Clemson. Many analysts ridiculed the decision but Pinion did his homework with regards to the Punters that were available for the draft.

GOD IS GOOD!!! NINER NATION BABY!!! LETS GO," Pinion said on his Instagram acccount. "A BIG shout out to @danornerkicking for the countless hours spent on the field and watching film! Wouldn't be where I am today without him!!"

He is the first punter drafted by Clemson since Chris Gardocki was drafted in the third round in 1991. He can also be used a long-field goal specialist as he has range from from around midfield.

Pinion averaged 42.6 yards per punt, fifth-best in the ACC, in 2014. He had 28 punts inside the 20 to lead the ACC and break his own school record for a season. He also had 17 punts of 50+ yards, tied for third-most in the ACC, and just two touchbacks. He finished the 2014 season with a net punting average of 40.3, sixth-best in Tiger history and the second-best mark by a Tiger since 1984. He had five punts for a 43.4-yard average in his final game, the Tigers' 40-6 victory over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

He also handled kickoffs and had 36 touchbacks on his 74 kickoffs in 2014. He had 102 touchbacks in 178 career kickoffs.

Junior who was the starter at punter and as the kickoff man in 2013 and 2014 ... had a 41.1-yard average and 39.2-yard net average on 140 punts in 34 games (25 starts) in his career ... had 55 punts inside the 20 with only two touchbacks; punted 102 times without a touchback (with 42 inside the 20) before his first touchback in 2014 ... seventh in school history in punting average.

Congrats to @pinion92 on being the 1st specialist selected in draft. The @49ers are getting a good one! #ClemsonNFL pic.twitter.com/wvqrUqCYXV
— Coach Jeff Scott (@coach_jeffscott) May 2, 2015