There was a packed house for Clemson’s Pro Day on Thursday.
Most NFL executives, coaches and scouts wanted to get an up-close look at the talented four defensive linemen, who helped the Tigers win the college national championship.
Here are 10 things we learned:
1. Ferrell out: Defensive ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant did not participate because of a toe injuries. Ferrell aggravated a turf toe injury on Monday. Bryant is recovering for pectoral muscle surgery. He played most of last season with the injury by getting pain killer injections.
2. Position drills: The rest of the heralded defensive linemen – Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins – took part in the position drills and stood on their combine times mostly. Wilkins did participate in the three-cone drill.
3. Falcons presence: Area Scout Tokunbo Abanikanda was on hand for the Falcons.
4. Bench-press star: Clemson center Justin Falcinelli lifted 225 pounds 27 times.
5. Coach sighting: Bengals coach Zac Taylor was on hand.
6. GMs in the house: Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles also were on hand. Bowles chatted up Tigers coach Dabo Swinney to get some more insight on the prospects.
7. Attendance: All 32 teams were represented, including Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
8. Corner watch: Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen is drawing first-round interest from several teams, including the Falcons. He's moved ahead of Georgia's Deandre Baker and LSU's Greedy Williams on some draft boards.
9. Defensive tackles: This draft will be deep at the defensive tackle position. There are 16 defensive tackles with first-round draft grades. Some of them will slip into the second and maybe the third round.
10. New Tombstone: Clemson has a new tombstone commemorating its 44-16 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff Championship game.
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