2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Clemson

These are the school’s prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft by status * – denotes 2014 prospect ** – denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

DeAndre Hopkins*, WR, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 214. Arm: 33.38. Hand: 10.08.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
4/24/13: A strong Combine and pro day have Hopkins as a potential top-25 pick. Scouts have told WalterFootball.com that he could be the third receiver off the board and there are a few playoff teams at the back of the first round that are high on him.

Hopkins started the 2012 season on fire. He became the No. 1 receiver for Clemson as Sammy Watkins started the year suspended and was slow to return to his freshman form. Hopkins picked up the slack and became the top weapon for Tajh Boyd. Hopkins had consistent production all season and torched LSU to end the year with 13 receptions for 191 yards and two scores. He made huge plays to help lead Clemson to a comeback victory.

Hopkins totaled 1,405 yards on 82 catches and 18 touchdowns in 2012. He burned defenses with his deep speed while showing reliable hands and good route running.

8/27/12: Hopkins is not as talented as Sammy Watkins, but Hopkins is a dangerous receiver in his own right. He was secondary receiver in 2011, but still caught 72 passes for 978 yards and five touchdowns. As a freshman in 2010 he hauled in 52 passes for 637 yards with four scores.

Hopkins should produce well over the next two years with Watkins drawing constant double teams. Overall, Hopkins has a nice skill set with speed, hands and route-running.

Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
Height: 5-9. Weight: 199. Arm: 30 5/8. Hand: 9 1/4.
40 Time: 4.61.
Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
4/24/13: Ellington had a solid senior year. His added weight allowed him to be a more effective runner between the tackles and pick up more yards after contact. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry with 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. Ellington also caught 14 passes for 232 yards and a score. The senior improved his draft stock. He did well at the Senior Bowl and the Combine.

8/16/12: Ellington is the lead back of a high-powered offense. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry as a junior in 2011, totaling 1,178 yards with 11 touchdowns. Ellington also caught 22 passes for 109 yards. He ran for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

Ellington is a smaller speed-back who is a big-play threat. He is quick to the hole and can turn the corner on perimeter runs. When Ellington gets in the open field, he is tough to to keep out of the end zone.

There are concerns about if Ellington can hold up under a large number of carries in the NFL. He also needs to show more strength to get yards after contact. Ellington has some big-play ability and could be considered as a change-of-pace backup.

Malliciah Goodman, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 276. Arm: 35 7/8. Hand: 10 1/8.
40 Time: 4.87.
Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
4/24/13: Goodman produced 20 tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles this season. He flashed some nice pass-rushing ability at times, but was a weak run-defender. The senior also wasn’t consistent enough. He had three sacks as a backup as a junior and sophomore. Goodman had a mixed week at the Senior Bowl, but he could at least be a situational pass-rusher in the NFL.

Scouts told WalterFootball.com that they expect Goodman to be drafted on the second day.

Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 285. Arm: 31. Hand: 9 7/8.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
4/24/13: Freeman blocked really well for quarterback Tajh Boyd and running back Andre Ellington in 2012. Freeman had a superb game against Auburn in the season opener and did well against Florida State. He had some struggles against LSU and tackle Bennie Logan.

Freeman would be a lot higher in these rankings if he wasn’t so undersized. Freeman had a mixed performance at the Senior Bowl and did not work out at the Combine. He has to go to a zone-blocking team in the NFL, but many feel that he is an ascending prospect.

8/22/12: Dalton Freeman has started the past three seasons at center for Clemson. He did a good job of blocking for C.J. Spiller as a freshman in 2009 and for Andre Ellington the past two years. The senior Freeman is a mobile center who will need to add some power to his game for the NFL. He has the frame to get bigger.

Freeman is athletic and would probably be a best fit in a zone-blocking scheme at the next level. He did a good job in pass protection for quarterback Tajh Boyd in 2011.

Rashard Hall, FS, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 6-FA.
4/24/13: Hall played well in the first game of the season against Auburn with an interception to help Clemson to get the win. He didn’t do as well against Florida State. Hall totaled 80 tackles with four interceptions, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and three pass defensed in 2012.

9/2/12: Hall was inconsistent at times in 2011. He would flash on occasion and then fall quiet for stretches. The junior had 78 tackles with, one sack, one interception, one pass broken up and one forced fumble.

Hall had a significant drop in his production in 2010 after an impressive redshirt-freshman season. He had 62 tackles with two interceptions and two passes broken up as sophomore. However, Hall had six interceptions with 55 tackles and two passes broken up in 2009. The senior needs to improve his production if he wants to be more than a late-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Brandon Ford, TE, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
4/24/13: Ford used to back up Dwayne Allen, but Ford showed his potential with a good game against Auburn to open 2012. He caught five passes for 51 yards and could’ve had an even bigger night if he hadn’t dropped a few passes. Ford consistently showed the ability to get open this year. He totaled 40 receptions for 480 yards and eight touchdowns. Ford caught 10 passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns behind Allen in 2011. He didn’t go to the Combine.