Clemson’s Kevin Dodd takes aim at impact role
A standard has been set for defensive ends at Clemson. The NFL draft is evidence of that.
When Tigers turn pro, the ‘next man up’ has handled the job admirably.
Much of the attention has gone Shaq Lawson’s way. He is the only ACC defender back with double-digit campaigns in the category of tackles for loss.
Hampered by injury and buried on a talent-rich line, rising junior and former 4-star prospect Kevin Dodd is confident he will make a name for himself in 2015. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney praised Dodd this week for being consistent.
“I’ve built my pass rush pretty good,” Dodd said this week. “I’m one of the best, I believe. Just not content. I want to be that Vic Beasley. I want to be that go-to-guy that, ‘Hey Kevin, it’s third down. Let’s go.’ I’ll play first and second down, obviously, but I want to be that dominant guy when it comes to third down.”
His expectation for the Tiger ‘D’ as a whole?
“Total domination. That’s what we expect,” he said. “Best is the standard. We’ve always got potential to be No. 1 if we do what it takes. We just have to fill in the gaps and do what it takes to be No. 1.”
Dodd has seen action over the past three seasons but received a medical redshirt in 2013 after a season-ending toe injury.
As an early enrollee in 2012, he saw 87 snaps in eight games, totaling six tackles. Last year, he played 92 snaps and got in the backfield for 2.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback pressures.
He went on to Hargrave Military as a top-15 in-state prospect. His senior year, Dodd had 78 tackles, 22 TFL, nine sacks and three caused fumbles.
Working his way back to that form, he’s mindful of the young depth chart around him – all sophomores and freshmen outside of Lawson, former 3-star prospect Martin Aiken and himself.
“I’m going to take care of myself and lead my segment, as well,” Dodd said. “That’s part of my job. The other guys that left me this job led me well, and they did their job as well. That’s part of the leadership role on this defensive side.”
Dodd said sophomore Ebenezer Ogundeko (6-3 250) has pushed him this spring.
“It’s definitely me knowing I’ve got a responsibility,” Dodd said.
This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Clemson’s Kevin Dodd takes aim at impact role."