Panthers could land another in first round
Donald last year, now Clemmings?
After two years of not having a player selected in the NFL draft, Pitt could be poised to have its second consecutive first-round selection this week.
Offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings is projected as a late firstround pick this week and could join Aaron Donald (the 13th overall selection last year) as Pitt’s most recent first-rounders.
If Clemmings is among the first 32 players to have their name called Thursday night, it would be all the more impressive considering he only moved to offensive tackle from defensive end after the 2012 season.
After the Panthers’ season finale that year against South Florida, then-Pitt coach Paul Chryst noted to Clemmings that his uniform didn’t have a speck of dirt on it — because he didn’t see any game action — and asked if he wanted to do anything about it.
Clemmings moved to offensive tackle during bowl preparation that year and was a starter by the time next year’s season opener against Florida State rolled around.
“It was mentioned to me prior to coach Chryst’s coaching staff,” Clemmings said in January of a potential position switch. “It’s always been in the back of my mind. I tried to run away from it, but I couldn’t get away.”
From there, Clemmings didn’t miss a beat, starting every game at right tackle for Pitt in 2013 and 2014. He was a captain on this year’s team and helped anchor a much-improved offensive line.
While he may not have much experience at the position, his 6foot-6, 315-pound frame makes him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams looking for a right tackle. NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks has Clemmings going at No. 28 overall to the Denver Broncos.
“It’s crazy to think about it,” Clemmings said of being a potential selection.
While Clemmings is still one of the highest-rated offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class, his stock has slipped a bit the past few weeks. NFL
Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this week that Clemmings has a stress fracture in his foot. While his agent said that it did not affect his play, there’s a chance some teams could downgrade Clemmings because of the report.
Regardless, Clemmings won’t be sweating out draft night in Chicago. Like Donald last year, he has elected to stay home Thursday.
“I know that the draft is really a great event and a great thing to go to,” Clemmings told The Associated Press this week. “It also can be pretty stressful. Nobody knows where they're going to go. But the wait, I'd rather have that wait with my friends and family here at home in New Jersey.”
Beyond Clemmings, Pitt’s potential 2015 NFL draft class seems relatively small. The next most-likely candidate to be selected is safety Ray Vinopal, who was seen as an undrafted free agent when the season ended but boosted his stock with a strong showing at Pitt’s pro day in March.
Vinopal was timed between 4.49 and 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash, recorded a 35-inch vertical jump and bench-pressed 225 pounds 26 times.
“According to my agent, I’m already on peoples’ radar and have a good standing in the safety class,” Vinopal said after the workout. “A good workout will help me even more. I hope it boosted my status and showed that I can play and that I’ll work.”