Proday Recap: Clemson Tigers

This is a compilation of information around the web about Clemson’s Proday. The Proday reporting isn’t great but with diligence and free time I’ve scrounged up the very best of information about Clemson’s Proday from around the web. Interestingly Rex Ryan was running some of the drills (most notably of potential first round pick OLB Andre Branch).

Dwayne Allen might have resurrected his stock a bit at Clemson’s proday. Interestingly Allen chose not to run the 40 yard dash despite his disappointing performance at the combine

Allen, who clocked an unimpressive 4.89 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month, didn’t even run the 40 this time.

“I’m not a track guy — I’m a football player,” Allen said. “Just watch me on film. If you watch me on film, I play way faster, and that’s all that matters.” Many of the 44 NFL personnel on hand for Allen’s workout might agree, including New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, who met with Allen at the combine and was present again at Clemson. Allen, the reigning Mackey Award winner who is forgoing his senior season to enter the draft, still projects as one of if not the top tight end available. He had 50 catches, including eight for touchdowns, last season, and although he may not be the fastest straight-line runner, some consider him to be the best combination of size, speed, hands and blocking ability.

I still like Allen and he remains as he has always been a fringe first round prospect because of his size/strength combo and most importantly is body control. Allen does a terrific job positioning his body away from the defender and catching the ball in space. He should also be a plus blocker at the N.F.L.level.

More from Allen from SportingNews

given his excellent workout Thursday while going through full positional drills. Most impressive, for a 260-pound tight end, was Allen’s display of excellent foot quickness and body control getting in and out of his cuts while running good routes. Reinforcing what we saw on film, Allen’s soft, yet strong handsshowed up as he plucked pass after pass away from his body throughout the workout.

Another player who had a terrific Proday was DT Brandon Thompson

Scouts had mixed feelings on the performance of defensive tackle Brandon Thompson. The big lineman ran a 40 time near 5.10 seconds, but showed little balance and was slipping throughout his workout. Teams like his underlying athleticism and feel Thompson will contribute at the next level, but this was not the workout he needed to push himself into the late part of round one.

Another quick take on Thompson

Thompson, a 316 pounds, ran a 4.9-second time in the 40, a performance that brought cheers and calls of congratulations. “I think I helped myself,” Thompson said.

Here’s a link Mike Mayock’s recap of Clemson’s Proday

The other big name prospect for the Clemson Tigers is DE Andre Branch

Andre Branch also looked solid in position drills. The college defensive end was put through a battery of linebacker drills by the New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, and for the most part looked solid. Though Branch was overthinking at times, the scouts on hand were impressed with his athleticism and movement skills. He’s locked himself up as someone who will go in the top half of the second

Sporting News Russ Lande says Branch is a second round pick:

Branch, based upon his workout Thursday as both a defensive end and outside linebacker, has proven that he should be a second round pick. Throughout his workout Branch’s outstanding lower body flexibility, agility and long speed showed up. For a player who played primarily defensive end at Clemson, Branch did a good job in his pass drops and displayed good ball skills catching the ball.

The big three were not the only players out to impress at Clemson’s Proday.

Our number one full back Chad Dahl had a big day at Clemon’s Proday

took a hard blow to the head during Senior Bowl practice and missed that all-star game, then got a double dose of disappointment when he didn’t receive an invitation to the combine. So Clemson’s pro day was a chance for him to shine, and the burly back came through with a 31-inch vertical jump, a 4.9 40 and 28 reps of 225 pounds, numbers good enough to reaffirm his status as one of the top five fullbacks available in the draft. He may be hurt by the fact that few NFL teams use traditional fullbacks, particularly those with limited pass-catching skills, but his ability to overpower defenders at the point of attack is unquestioned. Diehl may be a late-round pick or may have to go the free-agent route, but is bound to end up sticking on a roster somewhere after proving his worth as a special teams player.

Back to Tony Pauline’s article for a minute.

A few late round UDFA prospects to keep an eye out for are Cornerback Cory Sensabaugh, OL Landon Walker, and OL Antoine McClain

Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh also drew positive reviews for his positional work. The senior stood on his combine 40 time of 4.42 seconds but looked smooth and crisp in defensive back drills.

Two offensive linemen also looked solid. Landon Walker, who was not invited to the combine, ran 5.30 seconds in the 40 after completing 32 reps on the bench. He and teammate Antoine McClain showed terrific power in drills and the ability to quickly move their feet.

That’s about all the information I can find on Clemson’s Proday.

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