Jackson Carman – Noteworthy
Jackson Carman’s personality and hobbies off the football field are as unique as his size. Listed at 6-foot-5, 345 pounds, the sophomore Clemson left tackle from Fairfield, Ohio, plays the guitar and performs musically. He can get up on a wakeboard and do tricks on the water, much to the surprise of his teammates. Carman bakes Oreo Devil’s Food cakes for Kathleen Swinney, head coach Dabo Swinney’s wife. He also made one for star quarterback Trevor Lawrence for his birthday. Because of his diverse interests, Carman nearly went to Southern Cal to take advantage of cultural opportunities. “I feel like one of the benefits for me coming here, when making my decision, is that there were so many things to do in L.A., I felt like I might get distracted,” Carman said. “(Clemson) is a good place for me to lock in.”
It’s clear, though, he doesn’t mind standing out, which is something he’ll be doing this fall as the replacement for one of the most storied offensive linemen in Clemson history. Former left tackle Mitch Hyatt holds school records for snaps played and games started. He was a four-time All-ACC selection and one of five Tigers to ever be named unanimous All-America on the offensive line. He also was a key member of two national championship squads. Carman isn’t fazed by the pressure, and he’s off to a good start this spring. Swinney said last week that Carman’s doing his job “loudly,” which actually means the head coach isn’t noticing him at all. “The only time an offensive linemen gets called out is because he’s doing something wrong,” Carman said. “If he’s not hearing his name, it’s a good thing.” – The State
Christian Wilkins – Noteworthy
Half of Clemson’s talented defensive front four participated in the Tigers pro day Thursday before evaluators from all 32 NFL teams. While defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant did not take part in drills due to injuries, tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence showcased the abilities that have them on track to be first-round NFL draft picks next month. The linemen, nicknamed the Power Rangers after the popular children’s heroes, met NFL officials, including three head AFC coaches: Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Tennessee’s Mike Vrabel and Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor. The four linemen, all part of Clemson’s two national titles the past three seasons, wore different color headbands during the session that synched up their favorite Mighty Morphin heroes. – AP College Football
*Clelin Ferrell – Noteworthy
The reigning national champion Clemson Tigers held their Pro Day Thursday, drawing representatives of all 32 NFL teams, including head coaches Mike Tomlin, Mike Vrabel and Zac Taylor. Edge rushers Ferrell (toe) and Bryant (pec), on the other hand, were limited due to injuries. Ferrell had run some of the timed drills at the Combine but he did not perform particularly well in the short shuttle (4.40, tied for 7th among 15 edge rushers tested in this event) and 3-cone drill (7.26 seconds, 11th of 16 tested) and has yet to run a 40-yard dash for scouts. Bryant has not performed any of the drills yet. Should either or both not be able to perform these drills prior to the draft, their stock could take a tumble. – Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Hunter Renfrow – Noteworthy
Hunter Renfrow The Underdog, Part 2, was showing all week at the NFL Combine. The former Clemson wide receiver who went from no-star walk-on to national championship-winning receiver to stalwart on one of the nation’s elite college football teams is back at square one as he tries to begin his professional football career. “That’s part of my charm, I guess,” Renfrow said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “I like the measurables charts. I’m like 0 percentile in everything.”
He’s not exaggerating by much. Renfrow was the only wide receiver whose hands measured less than eight inches (7 7/8). He was one of only two whose arms measured less than 30 inches (29 1/4). He was not the lightest receiver at 184 pounds, but he was in the conversation, and only six receivers ran slower than his 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His seven repetitions on the 225-pound bench press were the second-fewest of any player at any position. – The State
Tre Lamar – Noteworthy
The reigning national champion Clemson Tigers held their Pro Day Thursday, drawing representatives of all 32 NFL teams, including head coaches Mike Tomlin, Mike Vrabel and Zac Taylor. The roughly 100 NFL scouts, coaches and executives were treated not only to a workout featuring multiple first round picks but some Hollywood entertainment on the side, as Clemson’s fearsome fivesome of defensive linemen opted to sport Power Ranger head bands throughout much of the workout, celebrating a final opportunity to compete together. Clemson linebacker Tre Lamar ran the 40-yard dash for scouts Thursday and the results were not pretty. Lamar was timed at 4.95 and 4.97, which would have placed him 22nd among the 23 linebackers tested at the Combine this year. The sluggish time – even for a monster-sized linebacker (6-4, 253) – could push Lamar deep into Day Three or out of the draft entirely as teams will be forced to question where he fits in today’s pass-happy NFL. – Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
