By Staff Report.
Clemson, SC—According to rosters on the NFL website, 32 former Clemson football players are currently in training camps with NFL teams. The list includes 11 defensive linemen.
NFL training camps opened last week and the first exhibition game is this coming Sunday. At least one former Tiger is represented on the rosters of 22 of the 32 teams. Ten different teams have two former Tigers.
As stated above, there are more defensive linemen on the list than any other position with 11. There are six defensive backs, four offensive linemen, three linebackers, two tight ends, two wide receivers, two running backs, one quarterback and one punter. Twenty of the 32 players are defensive players, 11 are offensive players and there is one special teams player.
The veteran of the group is Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Nick Eason, who is in his 10th year in the NFL. Five of the players are rookies and were starters on Clemson’s 2011 ACC Championship team. Those players are Dwayne Allen, Andre Branch, Kourtnei Brown, Antoine McClain and Rennie Moore. Eighteen members of Clemson’s 2009 team that won the Atlantic Division of the ACC, are on NFL rosters at the moment.
For the first time since 1996, Brian Dawkins is not on this list. Dawkins returned in the off season after 17 years in the NFL. He made the pro bowl
Former Clemson Players in NFL Training Camps
Name Pos Team NFL Yrs CU Years
Dwayne Allen TE Indianapolis Colts R 2008-11
Thomas Austin OG Houston Texans 3rd 2006-09
DaQuan Bowers DE Tampa Bay Bucs 2nd 2008-10
Andre Branch DE Jacksonville Jaguars R 2008-11
Kourtnei Brown LB San Francisco 49ers R 2008-11
Crezdon Butler CB Arizona Cardinals 3rd 2006-09
Chris Clemons S Miami Dolphins 4th 2005-08
Kavell Conner LB Indianapolis Colts 3rd 2006-09
Jamie Cumbie DT Oakland Raiders 2nd 2006-08
Nick Eason DT Arizona Cardinals 10th 1999-02
Jacoby Ford WR Oakland Raiders 3rd 2006-09
Maurice Fountain DE Philadelphia Eagles R 2001-04
Marcus Gilchrist SS San Diego Chargers 2nd 2007-10
Tyler Grisham WR Denver Broncos 4th 2005-08
Chris Hairston OT Buffalo Bills 2nd 2007-10
Jamie Harper RB Tennessee Titans 2nd 2008-10
Leroy Hill LB Seattle Seahawks 8th 2001-04
Jarvis Jenkins DE Washington Redskins 2nd 2007-10
Byron Maxwell CB Seattle Seahawks 2nd 2007-10
Antoine McClain OG Baltimore Ravens R 2008-11
Phillip Merling DE Green Bay Packers 5th 2005-07
Justin Miller DB Detroit Lions 5th 2002-04
Rennie Moore DE Houston Texans R 2008-11
Michael Palmer TE Atlanta Falcons 3rd 2006-09
Barry Richardson OT St. Louis Rams 5th 2004-07
Ricky Sapp DE New York Jets 3rd 2006-09
Dorell Scott DT St. Louis Rams 4th 2005-08
Coty Sensabaugh CB Tennessee Titans R 2008-11
C.J. Spiller RB Buffalo Bills 3rd 2006-09
Brandon Thompson DT Cincinnati Bengals R 2008-11
Charlie Whitehurst QB San Diego Chargers 7th 2002-05
Dawson Zimmerman P Atlanta Falcons R 2008-11
Note: Chansi Stuckey, a five year NFL veteran is currently a free agent and has night signed with an NFL team yet.