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Four More Tigers Taken in NFL Draft on Saturday

Four More Tigers Taken in NFL Draft on Saturday

April 24, 2010

Clemson, SC – Clemson seniors Ricky Sapp, Crezdon Butler and Kavell Conner were all drafted on Saturday between the fourth and seventh rounds of the 75th annual NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

They join C.J. Spiller, the ninth pick of the entire draft by the Buffalo Bills, as members of the 2009 Tigers team who were drafted this year. The five selections rank as the most from the Clemson program since the 2007 when five were selected.

Jacoby Ford was taken in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders on Saturday morning, the 108th pick of the entire draft. Ford was a second team All-ACC receiver who led the Tigers in receptions, reception yards and reception touchdowns. Ford was also a multiple year All-American in track for Clemson over the last four years.

Ford is the first player from Clemson to be drafted by the Oakland Raiders since the 1993 draft when the Raiders took James Trapp in the third round.

Sapp was a fifth round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles, the 134th selection of the draft. Sapp led the Tigers in sacks this past year and was a three year starter who made second team All-ACC last year. Sapp will attempt to continue a tradition of former Tigers on the Eagles team. Brian Dawkins was an All-Pro safety for the Eagles from 1996-2008, while former Clemson All-American Levon Kirkland was with the Eagles in 2002.

Crezdon Butler, who started 40 games at cornerback for the Tigers over the last three years, was a fifth round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. He is the first Clemson player drafted by the Steelers since Brentson Buckner was a second round selection in 1993. Buckner and Kirkland both played in the Super Bowl for the Steelers.

Kavell Conner, Clemson’s top tackler over the last two years as a linebacker, was a seventh round selection of the AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts, the 240th selection overall. He had the third best 40-yard time at the NFL Combine. Conner is the first selection from Clemson by the Colts since 1982 when they drafted center Tony Berryhill, the starting center on Clemson’s national championship team.

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