Auburn DT Zach Clayton–The Best NFL Draft Prospect You’ve Yet to Hear About

Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley had a breakout season in 2010 on his way to winning the National Championship, winning defensive player of the year, and being a consensus All American. But who was the guy next to Fairley creating all of the double teams and allowing him to dominate opposing offenses?

Fairley’s right hand man Zach Clayton, a 6’2″ 299 pound senior, has not gotten near enough credit, credit he certainly deserves. Per reports, Clayton has visits scheduled with the Chargers and Colts, and really opened some eyes with his Auburn pro day performance.

Clayton ran between 4.79 and 4.85 in the 40 yard dash, had a 10’8″ broad jump, 27 bench press reps, and a 33.5″ vertical leap. Clayton clearly is quick, strong, and explosive, and his pro day workout will force scouts to go back to the Auburn game film and transfer their attention from #90 to #98. Clayton’s workout was good enough to garner some serious attention. Per reports, Clayton was congratulated by Denver Broncos coach John Fox during his workout.

For a guy who was an after-thought in the draft process before, it’s clear that NFL teams have taken notice. Says one of his teammates:

“You know one of those guys that just makes it look easy? Like, ‘I could do that,’ then you go out there and it’s not that easy? Zach makes the whole thing look easy,” freshman DT Jeffrey Whittaker said. “He is one of the people that really earned his right of starting. He’s a beast. He’s unblockable. Unblockable.”

How about Head Coach Gene Chizik?

“Zach Clayton is running down the field chasing guys down ‘X’ amount of yards past the line of scrimmage — it’s phenomenal,” Chizik said. “It’s just great effort. He’s been a real force for us, I think, down there inside.”

Clayton will undoubtedly be on the rise between now and draft day, and based on what we have read and heard, and now seen, he is a guy you will undoubtedly want on your team.