By Will Vandervort.
After he dominated all middle linebackers in the NFL Scouting Combine this past February, Stephone Anthony earned himself a first-round selection in Thursday’s NFL Draft in Chicago.
Anthony, who led Clemson in tackles in each of the last two years, was picked No. 31 overall by the New Orleans Saints. He is the first Clemson linebacker since Anthony Simmons in 1998 to be selected in the first round and just the third overall.
“I thought he would be a mid-second round pick,” NFL Network Draft analysis Mike Mayock said. “He is 6-2 and a half. He is a big inside linebacker prototype. I think his best football is ahead of him.”
Earlier in the night, Atlanta took Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley with the No. 8 overall pick, marking the third time in Clemson history, two players was chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. It also marked the first time in Clemson history two defensive players were taken in the first round of the draft.
The last time two former Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft came in 1982. It also happened in 1979 as well.
In 1979, wide receiver Jerry Butler went No. 5 overall to Buffalo, while quarterback Steve Fuller was selected by Kansas City at No. 23 overall. In 1982, defensive tackle Jeff Bryant went No. 6 overall to Seattle, while wide receiver Perry Tuttle was taken at No. 19 by Buffalo.
Anthony, who earned All-ACC First-Team honors in 2014, led a Clemson defense that ranked No. 1 in total defense with 90 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. That followed a junior season in which he tallied 131 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss, which included four sacks.
“He is a little more athletic than you would expect,” Mayock said. “I was at his pro day and I was highly impressed with the way he moved in the passing game. That did not always show up on tape, but what it tells me is that he is athletic enough to learn how to do it.
“He will be a starting inside linebacker, immediately.”
Anthony, who will join former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller in New Orleans, is just the fourth player from Clemson to be selected by the New Orleans Saints, the first since the 1990 draft when wide receiver Gary Cooper was chosen in the 10th round. Cliff Austin was a third-round selection in 1983 and Tony Stephens was taken in the third round in 1988.
Clemson now has had at least one first round draft pick in each of the last three years. Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State and Florida are the only other schools who can make that claim.
Many other members of Clemson’s No. 1 ranked defense are expected to be chosen on Friday and Saturday as the NFL Draft continues.