Monday, Apr. 27, 2009

Tigers have four players drafted

CLEMSON — Even after his name had appeared on the screen, former Clemson running back James Davis stayed glue to the television, holding out hope that teammate Aaron Kelly’s name also would pop up.

It didn’t happen.

The second day of the NFL draft involved a lot more waiting than each member of the Tigers’ four-man class expected.

“I was getting a little nervous there for a while,” said Davis, a sixth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns.

“I’m sure everyone’s probably a little disappointed. But I know those guys will also go to work to prove themselves.”

Defensive tackle Dorell Scott (Ridge View High) was the first of four Tigers chosen Sunday, going to St. Louis in the fourth round at No. 104 overall — the latest the first Clemson player has come off the board since 2003.

He, Davis and safeties Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin all were lumped together as third- or fourth-rounders by draft analysts.

But Clemons and Hamlin lasted until late in the fifth round, going back-to-back at Nos. 165 and 166 overall to Miami and Dallas, respectively. Davis went late in the sixth to the Browns, while Kelly — pegged as a probable late-rounder — and quarterback Cullen Harper both wound up undrafted.

Kelly, a Marietta, Ga., native and the ACC’s career receptions leader, later agreed to terms on a free-agent deal with his hometown Atlanta Falcons, the lone team that showed some interest in recent weeks.

Defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson also agreed to terms with San Diego, while receiver Tyler Grisham said he plans to sign with Pittsburgh.

On the other hand, Scott — interviewed almost exclusively by teams which use a 3-4 defense and need a run-stuffing nose tackle — kicked off their day by being chosen by the Rams, who plan to utilize a 4-3 scheme and more conventional tackles under new coach Steve Spagnuolo.

But the Rams have only two tackles who figure to be on the roster by opening day, according to reports, and the 312-pound Scott fulfilled the coaching staff’s desire to get bigger up front while finding someone athletic enough to handle either spot.

“(We like his) size, first of all, and for a guy that big, his initial quickness and ability to anchor down,” Rams personnel director Billy Devaney said. “For someone 320 pounds, he does have some pass-rushing ability. He’s going to put himself in the mix.”

Meanwhile, both Clemons and Hamlin went to teams that incorporate the “quarters” secondary coverage used by former Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning.

Clemons, a native of Arcadia, Fla., grew up a Dolphins fan. Dallas was one of four teams that brought Hamlin in for a visit.

Then there was Davis, who bought a Cleveland jacket three years ago because of his association with Browns’ starting running back Jamal Lewis.

Davis has known Lewis since the former Tennessee standout starred at Atlanta’s Douglass High, where Davis later followed in his footsteps. During his first few summers at Clemson, Davis would eschew working out on campus during the summer and instead train with Lewis back home.

Now Davis considers it appropriate that he plans to lean on Lewis as his mentor as he competes for a roster spot with backups Jerome Harrison, Conway’s Allen Patrick and Noah Herron.

“The draft doesn’t always work out for guys,” Davis said. “But after seeing so many big names slide, I’m just happy I got taken.”

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