2015 NFL Draft: Clemson LB Stephone Anthony Impressing

Oct 26, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony (42) tackles Maryland Terrapins running back Albert Reid (5) following his run at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

As we continue to highlight this week’s Clemson vs. Florida State battle, I want to take a look at one of the best returning inside linebackers in the country in Clemson’s Stephone Anthony.

Possessing a 6’3″ 245 pound frame, Anthony is an impressive physical specimen who would be an ideal fit at inside linebacker in the NFL. His instincts, toughness, strength, and overall strong tackling ability led to one of the best seasons for any non pass rushing linebacker in college football last season, racking up 86 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two fumbles forced, and an interception.

Watching Anthony play, you can tell he has great instincts and the ability to diagnose where play is heading. He seems comfortable making the defensive calls and is very good at working upfield against the inside running game.

In fact, when teams try to run the ball at Anthony, they should just as well take a two-yard gain or worse. It’s not usually getting past him. Where I really noticed a weakness in Anthony’s game was working sideline to sideline, which isn’t all that surprising considering his size.

Stiffness in the hips can cause Anthony to be a liability in coverage, but in terms of working his way upfield, adding value perhaps as a pass rusher, and playing a true middle linebacker role, Anthony is very good, and improving. So far through two games, Anthony has racked up 12 tackles with 3.5 for loss. He’s already on pace to break last year’s mark of 15 in that category, and has a chance to help shut down one of the most prolific rushing attacks in college football on Saturday in Karlos Williams and the Florida State Seminoles.

Anthony’s ability as a middle linebacker has generated middle round hype at this point, but there’s plenty of room to grow. If he can show better in his coverage ability and versatility overall, as well as an ability to play sideline-to-sideline, there’s a good chance he could sneak into day two of the draft.

So far this season, he’s been impressive and is doing his best to piggy back off of last year’s stellar performance. He has a chance on a big stage to put together his best yet.