Tigers In The NFL

Sept. 24, 2001

Terry Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens

In the NFL: Only running back in NFL history to overcome a torn ACL in both knees and return to the game… signed with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2001 preseason, he has also played with Minnesota (1990-94), Washington (1995-98), New England (1999) and New Orleans (2000)… will go over 8,000 career rushing yards this season, he needs just 44 yards to reach the plateau… veteran of 119 games, 106 as a starter in the nine years he has played… missed the 1990 and 1993 seasons in Minnesota… had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including a high of 1,353 yards in 1996… led the NFL in touchdowns that year with 21 and was named to the Pro Bowl… has 21 100-yard rushing games in his career and one 100-yard receiving game… has 70 career rushing touchdowns and six receiving for 76 total touchdowns… left Clemson one year early for the NFL, he was a ninth-round pick by the Minnesota VikingsAt Clemson: Clemson’s top rusher in 1987 and 1988, he had 1,192 yards rushing in 1988… still stands third in Clemson history in rushing with 2,778 yards in three years… first-team All-ACC in 1987 and 1988, he missed a lot of the 1989 season due to knee injury… still sixth in Clemson history in career all-purpose rushing… Clemson’s offensive MVP in Citrus Bowl win over Oklahoma at end of 1988 season.

Lorenzo Bromell, DE, Miami Dolphins

In the NFL: Now in his fourth year in the NFL, he is a veteran of 37 games entering the 2001 season with one start… has 15 career sacks in his first three years, including eight as a rookie in 1998… his eight sacks as a rookie tied a Miami Dolphins rookie sack record and he tied for the most sacks in the NFL by a rookie in 1998… named to the NFL All-Rookie team by College & Pro Football Weekly and the Football News in 1998… had career best 34 tackles in 1998… chosen by the Dolphins in the fourth round of the NFL draft at the conclusion of the 1997 college season… played in eight games last year and had 14 tackles, including two sacks and six quarterback pressures.At Clemson: Played two years for the Tigers on pair of bowl teams (1996 and 1997)… had eight sacks in two years for the Tigers… had 59 tackles, including six sacks as a senior… played two years of junior college football at Georgia Military before coming to Clemson.

Brentson Buckner, DE, Carolina Panthers

In the NFL: In his first year with the Carolina Panthers after three years with Pittsburgh, one year with Cincinnati and three years with San Francisco… veteran of 103 NFL games, 61 as a starter… had his best season in the NFL in 2000, he started all 16 games for the 49ers and had 61 tackles, including seven sacks… the seven sacks were a career high and he enters the 2001 season with 16.5 career sacks… the 2000 season marked second time in his career he started all 16 games, he did it in 1995 with the Steelers… played in the Super Bowl that year with the Steelers… had a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 1995 against New England, his only NFL touchdown… the 50th player chosen in the 1994 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.At Clemson: Clemson defensive MVP in the win over Kentucky in the Peach Bowl… first-team All-ACC according to the ACC Sportswriters Association… three-year starter… honorable mention All-American by Football News as a senior… left Clemson with 46 tackles for loss, fourth in Clemson history… has 22 career sacks, still in the top 10 in Clemson history… finished with 253 career tackles at Clemson, he played 44 games, 34 as a starter… had 85 tackles in 1992 and 84 in 1993… had eight sacks in 1992 to lead the team.

Robert Carswell, DB, San Diego Chargers

In the NFL: Rookie safety with the San Diego Chargers… should see action as reserve and special teams player… got the attention of the Charger coaches in first preseason game when he led the team in tackles… seventh round draft pick after the 2000 season.At Clemson: Third-team AP All-American as a senior by Sporting News and Associated Press… one of 12 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award in 2000, the only ACC player chosen… first-team All-ACC in 1999 and 2000… invited to play in Senior Bowl… set Clemson record for career tackles by a defensive back with 374, he broke the record of 294 held by Terry Kinard… named to AFCA Goodworks team for community service in 1999, the first Clemson player chosen… had eight career interceptions, three were on passes thrown by Michael Vick.

Darrel Crutchfield, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

In the NFL: One of just two free agents to make the Philadelphia Eagles roster… had strong game against New York Jets in the final preseason game, a 13-12 Eagles win and that was a key to him making the club… will be reserve cornerback this year… in the same secondary with former Clemson All-American Brian Dawkins… one of three former Tigers to make an NFL roster as a free agent in 2001, Corey Hulsey and Lamont Hall are the others.At Clemson: Finished his Clemson career with 94 tackles and 14 passes broken up, including 10 passes broken up last year to lead the team… had best game of his career in win at Virginia with seven tackles and four passes broken up, career highs in both areas… overcame a torn ACL injury suffered against Florida State in 1999 to become a starter on Clemson’s top 15 team in 2000… had four tackles in bowl game against Virginia Tech… came to Clemson from Raines High in Jacksonville, FL, same school that sent first round pick Rod Gardner to Clemson… now Crutchfield could be covering Gardner in the NFL, as the Eagles and Redskins are in the same division.

Brian Dawkins, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

In the NFL: One of the top safeties in the NFL, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1999… helped Eagles to the playoffs last year, he was second on the team in interceptions (four) and fifth in tackles (94)… missed three games with an appendectomy last season… Eagles were 8-2 after Dawkins returned to the lineup… had three tackles for loss from the secondary against Cincinnati in the last regular season game of 2000… had career high 103 tackles in 1999, he also had six caused fumbles and 19 passes defensed… has played 72 games in his career, 71 as a starter… second-round draft pick after the 1995 season, he was the 61st player taken… made NFL All-Rookie team in 1996 according to Football News.At Clemson: A three-year starter at Clemson, he made second-team All-American as a senior… had team best six interceptions to tie for the conference lead in 1995… had three interceptions in one quarter against Duke in 1995, only Tiger in history to do that… second-team All-ACC as a sophomore and first team as a senior… finished career with 11 interceptions and 234 tackles… earned degree from Clemson in education.

Adrian Dingle, DE, San Diego Chargers

In the NFL: In his third season with the San Diego Chargers… has had injury plagued career so far… has played 14 of a possible 32 games over the last two years… had 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2000… played 14 games, including one start… suffered a torn ACL in the 14th game of the season and missed the last two contests… in 1999 spent the first nine games on physically unable to perform list due to knee injury originally suffered in mini camp… dressed for last two games, but did not play… fifth-round draft pick, the 139th player chosen in the 1999 draft.At Clemson: Set Clemson single season record for sacks with 10.5 in 1998, it was broken the next year by Keith Adams… his 23 career sacks rank fourth in school history, he is also in the top 10 in tackles for loss… had 180 tackles for his four-year career, he also had four fumble recoveries.

Antwan Edwards, DB, Green Bay Packers

In the NFL: Versatile defensive back who has played safety and cornerback for the Green Bay Packers the last two season… now in his third year with the Packers, he played in 12 games, three as a starter in 2000… finished the season with 22 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed last year… had at least one PBU in each of the last eight games… had his best game in the win over Minnesota last year, he had two PBUs and three tackles… has six career interceptions, four as a rookie in 1999 and two last years… also had 10 punt returns for 90 yards in 1999… had one interception return for a score in 1999… veteran of 28 games played in the NFL, four as a starter… first-round draft pick of the Packers, he was the #25 selection overall.At Clemson: First-team All-American according to Football Digest, third team according to Football News and the Associated Press in 1998… ranked 10th in the nation in kickoff returns in 1998 with a 27-yard average… semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 1998… only player in Clemson history with two plays of at least 80 yards in the same game, he had a 93-yard fumble return and 85-yard kickoff return at Virginia in 1998… Clemson’s career leader in takeaway return yardage with 299… first-team All-ACC in 1998.

Rod Gardner, WR, Washington Redskins

In the NFL: In rookie season with the Washington Redskins… the #15 selection in the first round by the Redskins… signed contract for more than $7 million during the summer… named starter for the season opener for the Redskins.At Clemson: First-team All-American for the Tigers in 2000… set Clemson career record for receptions with 166… only receiver in Clemson history to reach 1,000 yards in a season, he did it twice, 1999 and 2000… set 11 Clemson records overall, including tying mark for touchdown catches in a game with three against North Carolina in 2000… had 50-yard catch against South Carolina in final home game that set up game-winning field goal… first Clemson football player in 22 years to be named first-team All-American, first-round draft choice and earn a degree in same year.

Chris Gardocki, P, Cleveland Browns

In the NFL: The dean of all former Tigers in the NFL, he is in his 11th year in the league… holds NFL record with 726 consecutive punts without a block, he has never had a punt blocked in his 10-year career… has ranked among the top five punters in the NFL each of the last five years… ranked second in the NFL in gross punting in 1996, he was third in 1997 and third in 2000… named first-team All-Pro in 1996 by Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly and Sports Illustrated… named to the Pro Bowl in 1996… had 108 punts in 2000 to lead the NFL and set a Cleveland Browns franchise record… has played in every game over the last nine years, 144 in a row… has played in 148 career games overall… longest punt of his pro career is 72 yards at San Diego in 1997… has a 43.1 gross average for his career, including five straight years of at least 43 yards and four of the last five years at least 45 yards a punt… has had at least 20 punts inside the 20 each of the last three years… played first four years of his career with Chicago Bears, four years with Indianapolis and now in third year with Cleveland.At Clemson: Handled both the punting and placekicking for the Tigers from 1988-90… the finest all-around kicker in Clemson history, he was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame on Sept. 15… first-team All-ACC kicker as a sophomore and junior, second-team as a freshman… his last punt in Death Valley was a 78-yarder against South Carolina in 1990… once booted a 57-yard field goal against Appalachian State in 1990 to tie school record… made 72 consecutive extra points as a Clemson Tiger and tied Obed Ariri’s career field goal record with 63… second-team All-American as a junior and third-team as a sophomore placekicker… honorable mention All-America punter all three years at Clemson by UPI… ranked fourth in the nation in punting and fourth in field goals per game as a junior, just the second player in NCAA history to rank in the top 10 in both in the same year.

Lamont Hall, TE, New Orleans

In the NFL: Fourth year in the NFL, he made it to the league as a free agent… signed by Tampa Bay in 1998, but he did not play in any games… played in 14 games as a reserve in 1999 with Green Bay… played 16 games, five as a starter for New Orleans in 2000… had five catches for 33 yards and his first career touchdown in 2000… had his first career touchdown against Arizona in 2000… played with Rein Fire in the World League n 1999.At Clemson: Four-year letterman for the Tigers between 1994-97… had 25 career catches for 260 yards… also a great special teams player with 23 career tackles… second-team All-ACC in 1997 when he had 17 catches… team leadership award winner for 1997… played in the East/West game… first-team Strength All-American in 1997… earned his degree from Clemson in history.

Corey Hulsey, OG, Buffalo Bills

In the NFL: In is first full season on the Bills fulltime roster… spent the 2000 season on the team’s practice squad… originally signed by the Bills in April 1999 as an undrafted free agent… spent the 1999 training camp with Bills and saw action in preseason against Seattle before being released on the last cut… worked his way onto roster this year during preseason games… played in NFL Europe in Amsterdam in spring of 2001… one of two free agents from Clemson to make the NFL as a rookie in 2001, Darrel Crutchfield is the other.At Clemson: Second-team All-ACC for the Tigers in 1998… left Clemson after three years, he played 1996-98… started 22 of his final 23 career games… played in five games as a true freshman in 1996.

Levon Kirkland, LB, Seattle Seahawks

In the NFL: In his first year with the Seattle Seahawks after playing nine years with the Pittsburgh Steelers… captain of the Steelers his last six years with the franchise… two-time Pro Bowl selection, he was named in 1996 and 1997… All-Pro in 1997 according to the Sporting News… highest paid linebacker in the NFL in 1999… played in the Super Bowl at the end of the 1995 season against Dallas… also played in three AFC Championship games… veteran of 144 games, 124 as a starter… has 904 career tackles, including 109 last season… has 12 career forced fumbles and nine recovered fumbles… also has 11 career interceptions, giving him 20 career takeaways… has had at least 100 tackles in five straight years and seven of his nine years in the league… had two separate sprained ankles last year that slowed his play a bit, but will be starting linebacker with the Seahawks alongside former Clemson All-American Anthony Simmons this year… second-round pick after the 1991 college season, he was the 38th overall drafted.At Clemson: Two-time All-American at Clemson… first-team in 1991 according to the AFCA, Sporting News and Walter Camp… second-team All-American as a junior in 1990… semifinalist for the Lombardi Award in 1991… finalist for the Butkus Award in 1990… MVP of the 1989 Gator Bowl win over West Virginia as a sophomore… inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 1991… starter on 1990 Clemson defense that led the nation in total defense and on 1991 defense that led the nation in rushing defense.

Dexter McCleon, DB, St. Rams

In the NFL: One of the rising stars among cornerbacks in the NFL, he had eight interceptions last year to tie for the AFC lead and rank tied for second in the NFL… has 15 career interceptions in four years… has doubled his interception total every year he has been in the NFL, he had one in 1997 as reserve, two in 1998, four in 1999 and eight last year… has been a starter each of the last two years, including the 1999 season when he started 15 of 16 games for the World Championship Rams… had 54 tackles for the Rams during the Super Bowl Championship season… had seven tackles in the Super Bowl win over Tennessee… veteran of 62 games, 38 as a starter… second-round draft pick of the Rams in the 1997 draft, the 40th pick overall… made his first career interception in 1997 against Warren Moon.At Clemson: First-team All-ACC defensive back in 1996… four-year starter in football, two-year starter in baseball for the Tigers… played on two ACC Championship Clemson baseball teams… ranked in the top 15 in the nation in punt returns in 1993… started at four different positions in his Clemson career… led the Tigers to victory as a quarterback over a top 20 Virginia team in 1993… started the Peach Bowl win over Kentucky in 1993… drafted in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball Draft in 1993.

Ed McDaniel, LB, Minnesota Vikings

In the NFL: In his ninth year in the NFL, all with the Minnesota Vikings… missed the 1996 season with a torn ACL suffered in a July practice… has led the Minnesota Vikings in tackles four of the last six years and five years overall in his career… led the Vikings in tackles for loss in 1997-98-99, the only Viking in history to lead the club in that category three straight years… selected to the Pro Bowl in 1998, but he did not play in the game due to a knee injury… set Vikings record for sacks by a linebacker in 1998 with seven, he ranks second in club history in that category with 19.5… also second to all-time great Carl Eller in tackles for loss in a career with 77.5… Eller had 87… has 924 career tackles, sixth in Vikings history, he obviously should reach the 1000 mark this year… had 134 tackles last year to rank second on the team… had career high 171 tackles in 1994, he also had 166 in 1999… had 155 tackles in 1998, his Pro Bowl season… also chosen to the All-Madden team that year.At Clemson: Four year starter for the Tigers from 1988-91, he started on teams that won 39 games in four years… first-team All-ACC in 1991, he was also a third-team All-American that year… led the Tigers in tackles in 1988, 1990 and 1991… honorable mention All-American as a freshman… had 14 tackles in 13-6 win over Oklahoma in the 1989 Citrus Bowl… had 12 tackles in Hall of Fame bowl shutout of Illinois… top tackler on 1991 team that led the nation in rushing defense, top tackler on 1990 team that led the nation in total defense… had 389 career tackles, fourth in school history… one of four semifinalists for the Butkus Award in 1991… earned his degree from Clemson in Human Resources Management.

Chester McGlockton, DT, Denver Broncos

In the NFL: Four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, he earned selection to the game in 1994-95-96-97… only Michael Dean Perry has been to more Pro Bowls among former Clemson players… played his first six years in the NFL with the Raiders, then three years with the Kansas City Chiefs… now in his first year with the Denver Broncos… will play alongside former Clemson player Trevor Pryce, who has played in the last two Pro Bowls… has 46.5 career sacks in 131 games in the NFL… has 120 career starts… had career high 9.5 sacks in 1994, his first Pro Bowl season… in his nine previous years in the NFL has accumulated 529 tackles, including 385 solo… has two interceptions and seven fumble recoveries… has forced 13 fumbles… started 15 games last year in Kansas City and has started 40 of his last 41… had 70 tackles and 4.5 sacks for the season… named to the NFL All-Pro team in 1994 by the Sporting News… a first-round draft pick after the 1991 season, he was the 16th selection of the entire draft by the Raiders.At Clemson: First-team All-ACC in 1991… led Clemson in sacks as a freshman in 1989, the only freshman in Clemson history to lead the Tigers in that category… mainstay of the Clemson defense in 1990 and 1991… Clemson led the nation in total defense in 1990 and in rushing defense in 1991… Clemson defensive MVP of the 1992 Florida Citrus Bowl, he had three tackles for loss in that game… left Clemson after his junior year.

Trevor Pryce, DT, Denver Broncos

In the NFL: Has finished four years with the Denver Broncos and already has two Super Bowl Championship Rings and two Pro Bowl appearances… has 35.5 career sacks in four years including 25 sacks over the last two seasons… had 13 sacks in 15 games in 1999, his first Pro Bowl season, then had 12 in 16 games last year… veteran of 55 NFL games, including 49 as a starter… first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos after the 1996 college season, he was the 28th overall pick of the draft… had a 28-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 2000… highest paid defensive tackle in NFL history, he recently signed a $6 million contract.At Clemson: Played one year at Clemson after transferring from Michigan… first-team All-ACC at Clemson in 1996… Clemson MVP of the Peach Bowl against LSU… two-time defensive lineman of the week during the season… played in 10 games in 1996 and had 20 tackles for loss, including 7.5 sacks… played in 20 games at Michigan in 1993 and 1994, seven as a starter.

Anthony Simmons, LB, Seattle Seahawks

In the NFL: Had a breakout 2000 season with the Seahawks, he had 147 tackles to lead the team, including 119 solo… that was the third highest single season figure in Seattle history and the fourth highest tackle total in the NFL… led the team in tackles in eight games, he had seven double-digit tackle games… chosen to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1998 by Pro Football Weekly… started 16 games at middle linebacker in 1999 and had 90 tackles, third on the team… had career high 15 tackles against San Diego… played in 11 games, four as a starter in 1998… season was limited due to knee injury suffered in the preseason… drafted in the first round of the NFL draft after the 1997 season by Seattle, he was the #15 selection… has played 43 career games in the NFL, 36 as a starter.At Clemson: Three-time All-American at Clemson joining William Perry as the only three-time selections in Clemson history… a first-team AP All-American in 1997… third-team as a freshman and sophomore… second in Clemson history in career tackles with 486… one of 10 semifinalists for the Butkus Award in 1997… first-team All-ACC in 1995-96-97, joining Levon Kirkland and William Perry as the school’s only three-time selections… two-time recipient of the Banks McFadden Award as the top college in South Carolina.

James Trapp, DB, Baltimore Ravens

In the NFL: Special teams captain of the Ravens 2000 season Super Bowl Champions… has 249 career tackles and four interceptions… now in his ninth year in the NFL, his third year with the Ravens… had career high 104 tackles in 1997 with the Raiders, including 83 solo tackles… had 25 tackles on scrimmage plays, plus another 15 on special teams in 2000 with the Ravens… fourth on the Ravens team in special teams tackles… veteran of 120 NFL games since 1993, including 27 as a starter… has played in every game the last four years, all 16 for the Raiders as a starter in 1997 and 48 straight with the Ravens… selected by the Raiders in the third round of the NFL draft after the 1992 college season, he was the 72nd overall pick.At Clemson: Will always be remembered for his 39-yard interception return for a touchdown against Charlie Ward and Florida State in 1992… played four years of football and four years of track at Clemson… had more celebrated career in track, perhaps the greatest ever… only 12-time track All-American in Clemson history… won the NCAA Championship indoors in the 200 meters in 1992 with a time of 20.66… member of the 1992 United States Olympic team… inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in fall of 2000.

Terry Witherspoon, FB, San Diego Chargers

In the NFL: Named to the Practice Squad for the San Diego Chargers as a rookie… played in three preseason games and did an outstanding job on special teams and as a blocking fullback… hopes to be moved up to the regular roster some time this year… one of just two former Tiger running backs on NFL rosters.At Clemson: Starting fullback for four years… outstanding blocker, a prime reason Clemson ranked 10th in the nation in rushing in 2000… scored a touchdown for the Tigers against Auburn in the 1998 Peach Bowl… veteran of 46 games for the Tigers and nearly 500 yards rushing… had career high 76 yards rushing against Wake Forest in 1997… earned undergraduate degree from Clemson in industrial education in August of 2000.