By Will Vandervort.
For the first time in his career, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will be a part of the NFL Draft Experience as the coach of a defensive player. His first two experiences have come with offensive superstars in running back C.J. Spiller and wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
On Thursday, Swinney, and his wife Kathleen, will walk the red carpet in Chicago with defensive end Vic Beasley, who is expected to be a top 10 selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.
“When we went to this (fast-tempo) offense, we were not supposed to be very good on defense,” Swinney said sarcastically. “I don’t get that question anymore and Vic is a big reason for that.”
Beasley was the leader of a Clemson defense that led the nation in total yards allowed and 10 other defensive categories last season, including tackles for loss. The defensive end, who could be drafted as a 3-4 linebacker as well, broke Clemson’s all-time sack record, finishing with 33 for his career. He also had 52.5 tackles for loss despite playing three years at the position, and only two as a starter.
“It is definitely surreal to me right now,” Beasley said as he approaches the draft. “Being here and being in this position, I never saw this coming. Being on this stage and in this position, I’m just thankful. I’m thankful to all my coaches at Clemson for helping me become the person that I am today.”
Beasley’s journey to be a top 10 pick did not come as easily as Spiller’s and Watkins’. Beasley came to Clemson as a tight end after playing running back in high school. But the Adairsville, Ga. native never fit in at tight end. He struggled and eventually was moved back to linebacker, where again, he struggled.
Beasley eventually moved to defensive end, but again as a redshirt freshman, he struggled and only saw the field sparingly. Finally, in the spring of 2012, Swinney made a proclamation, he told his defensive staff that if Beasley did not pick things up at defensive end by the end of the spring and showed considerable improvement, he was moving him to running back because “he is too good of an athlete to leave sitting over on the sideline.”
“Spiller and Sammy, it came fast. They were great right out of the gate,” Swinney said. “They got off the bus in Clemson and were great and got better as they went, whereas for Vic, it was a different journey for him. But at the end of the day, the destination is the same.
“It is all about getting there. I’m really, really proud of Vic because I know how far he has come and I know all the conversations we have had over the years. He deserves all the credit because he has put the work in.”
Beasley is being courted by four 3-4 teams and several 4-3 teams. He can go anywhere as high as No. 3 to Jacksonville or as low as No. 14 to Miami. In between, the Giants (No. 9), the Falcons (No. 8), the Bears (No. 7), the Redskins (No. 5) and the Raiders (No. 4) have all expressed interest in Beasley’s services.
“All the teams in the top 10 through the top 15 like me,” the former Tiger said. “I have met with a lot of teams that are highly interested in me so it will be interesting to see where I end up on draft day.”
Whoever picks Beasley, it is sure to happen early, and that will leave Swinney 3-for-3 in top 10 picks at the NFL Draft Experience. He was alongside Spiller when he was selected No. 9 overall by the Bills in 2010 and by Watkins’ side when the Bills chose him No. 4 overall in last year’s draft.
“I told him that I have been to the draft twice and I am two-for-two, ‘Two top ten guys so don’t screw it up.’ So the pressure is on him,” Swinney said jokingly. “No, he will not have to wait too long. I don’t know when he will get called, but his name will be called pretty early. It is going to be a great moment to be a part of it, especially for him.”