CLEMSON TIGERS AT NFL COMBINE WRAP UP

Since Wednesday's article covering Clemson Tigers football safeties Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin's workouts at the NFL Combine, one additional statistic has been released: The bench press results. This drill is where the player attempts to bench 225 lbs. for as many reps. as possible. Clemons finished with 19 while Hamlin completed 17. The average number of reps. for the 22 participating players at the safety position was 18.27, so Clemons was just above the average and Hamlin just below it.

Clemons was the only one of the six participating Tigers who was listed as a top performer in any of the drills. His 40 yard dash time of 4.41 ranked #1 across every position group at the Combine except for WR's, who only had five players run it faster. It's interesting to note that we didn't hear much about Clemons' speed during his playing days at Clemson. When you think of speed, Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller come to mind but both of those guys are also track stars. Clemons definitely made a positive impression with his run and surely helped his draft status.

One of the websites that specializes in NFL mock drafts, Walter Football, has moved Clemons up to an early 3rd round selection. They have Clemons going as the 71st overall player selected by the Oakland Raiders and even said "Oakland may as well begin printing Clemons jerseys". The Raiders evidently have a big need at safety due to the release of veteran Gibril Wilson and the fact that Michael Huff will be a salary cap casualty. I don't give much credibility to these mock drafts but it's still interesting to look at them.

There is a news article in the Boston Herald regarding the Patriots potential interest in Clemson WR Aaron Kelly. New England has Randy Moss and Wes Welker but the Patriots will likely want to add some depth because 3rd stringer Jabar Gaffney is a free agent this year. The article mentions that Kelly indicated at the Combine that he actually had talks with the Pats but it's still a couple of months before the NFL Draft. NFL teams are still ascertaining position needs as the rosters will continue to get shuffled in the off season as a result of free agency.

CBS Sports.com lists the Top Draft 2009 prospects and updated players rankings this morning based on their performance at the NFL Combine. The player's "stock" could have stayed equal, risen or fallen. Here is how the six Clemson Tigers football players are listed:

Dorell Scott
Overall rank: 94
Position rank: 7
Projected round selected: 3
Stock: Up

Michael Hamlin
Overall rank: 96
Position rank: 4
Projected round selected: 3
Stock: Equal

James Davis
Overall rank: 134
Position rank: 11
Projected round selected: 4-5
Stock: Equal

Chris Clemons
Overall rank: 175
Position rank: 8
Projected round selected: 5-6
Stock: Up

Aaron Kelly
Overall rank: 176
Position rank: 22
Projected round selected: 5-6
Stock: Equal

Cullen Harper
Overall rank: 274
Position rank: 15
Projected round selected: 7 or free agent
Stock: Equal