Dabo proud of Clemson tradition of developing players for NFL

As eight former Clemson football players participated in the NFL Scouting Combine last weekend, Dabo Swinney sat home and smiled like a proud papa.

“I’m really proud of those guys, I really am,” Swinney said. “I’ve kept up with it.”

Woody McCorvey, Clemson’s Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration, helped.

“Woody always goes out to the combine, so I kind of get my version of Periscope,” Swinney said. “I get instant feedback from Woody.”

The feedback was almost all positive for the Clemson products who were poked, prodded, measured, interviewed and put through their paces by coaches, scouts and administrators representing all 32 NFL teams.

Defensive end Shaq Lawson probably enhanced his draft prospects, but the Tigers other two potential first-round selections will have to wait until Clemson’s Pro Day on March 10 to fully impress scouts. Defensive end Kevin Dodd suffered an injury on his second 40-yard dash attempt and was unable to participate in remaining tests while cornerback Mackensie Alexander posted an impressive interview, but postponed his on-field tests due to a lingering hamstring injury.

Lawson, however, shined. He clocked a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash, which was the fourth-fastest time among defensive linemen. Lawson also turned in a 33-inch vertical jump and a 4.21 in the 20-yard shuttle.

Safety T.J. Green sped to a 4.34 time in the 40 – the fourth-best time overall and the second-fastest time by a defensive back, and wide receiver Charone Peake turned in a 4.45 clocking, which ranked fifth-best among receivers.

And linebacker B.J. Goodson likely raised some eyebrows with his combination of speed and strength. He had a 40 time of 4.69 and did 30 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press. That effort was the most among linebackers.

“I’ve touched base with all those guys,” Swinney said. “They’ve competed well and done a good job. Pro Day will be a lot of fun, too.”

Swinney said that 71 players have gotten “a chance” at the NFL, via the draft or free agency, since he became head coach, and 53 have made a roster.

“That’s incredible,” Swinney said. “We take great pride in developing those guys.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Dabo proud of Clemson tradition of developing players for NFL."