Kevin Dodd was Clemson’s best kept secret.
Dodd received a second-round grade from the NFL advisory committee and was headed back to play another year for the Tigers. But then, he broke loose in the national championship against Alabama and instantly turned into a top prospect.
Dodd, along with the more heralded defensive end, Shaq Lawson, went through drills for NFL scouts at Clemson’s Pro Day on Thursday.
Both now project to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, which is set for April 28-30 in Chicago.
Lawson, who led the nation in tackles for loss and has been slotted in most of the recent mock drafts to go the New York Giants, with the 10th overall pick. The Falcons select 17th overall.
Dodd ranked second in the nation in tackles for loss, but is still considered a raw prospect as a late bloomer.
There’s a friendly competition between the two.
“I’m not fighting Shaq,” Dodd said. “We are not the No. 1 defensive end right now. So, we are not fighting each other. We are trying to get to the No. 1 spot.”
Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa is considered the top player in the draft at the position.
“Right now, it’s just a lot of hype about me and him fighting each other, but the goal is to be No. 1, and neither of us is the No. 1 defensive end,” Dodd said.
Falcons defensive ends Vic Beasley and Malliciah Goodman, both former Tigers, were on hand for Pro Day.
“It’s a different,” said Beasley, who was in Dodd and Lawson’s position just last season. “It was good to be able to see Shaq and Kevin work. Those guys made me proud.”
Beasley, who was selected with the eighth pick in the draft, is the resident pass-rush historian.
“You can go all the way back to Michael Dean Perry, and he was great,” Beasley said. “Da’Quan (Bowers). There has been a number of guys to come through here.”
In addition to Beasley and Goodman, the Falcons also have Grady Jarrett, another former Tigers defensive lineman. Beasley believes that Lawson and Dodd will flourish in the NFL.
“Obviously, the sky is the limit for them,” Beasley said. “They are just now getting started. It’s only the beginning.”
Dodd was not a highly recruited prospect. He was a project who Clemson coach Dabo Swinney took a flyer on. He had recommendation from longtime college coach Brad Scott.
“Some people have grown up as stars, this and that,” Swinney said. “But if we went by what the Internet said, Kevin Dodd wouldn’t be here. (Wide receiver) Adam Humphries wouldn’t be here. They weren’t sexy enough recruits. If you’re only taking them, Brian Carter wouldn’t be here.
“He’d played just about a year and a half, and Brad Scott came to me and said don’t even watch the tape. He’s not a very good player. He’s athletic. He can run. He’s a ‘maybe’ guy.”
Dodd went off to prep school before enrolling at Clemson. Then slowly worked his way up the stacked depth chart.
“It’s just been fun to watch it happen,” Swinney said.
Dodd acknowledged being a project because football was just not an important part of his life.
“Just pure opportunity,” Dodd said. “I got my opportunity. I took full advantage of it.”
Dodd credits Clemson defensive line coach Marion Hobby with developing him and the host of other defensive linemen in the NFL from the school.
“It all starts from the coaching,” Dodd said. “We’ve all been coached by the same coach. Coach Hobby has a great philosophy. I believe in it. I trust in it and I brought into it. I just trusted the man that was leading us and it has gotten me this far.”
Some of the NFL teams believe that Dodd can slim down and play outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan and Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, both 3-4 teams, were on hand. Also, Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis was present.
“That was the focus today, coming out of the combine teams wanted to know if I could play outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme,” Dodd said. “I did my best to do what I could, but personally I feel comfortable playing either (defensive end or outside linebacker). I did it and dropped in space here.”
Swinney believes that Dodd can help a NFL team.
“He’s a complete player now,” Swinney said. “He really had no football foundation when he arrived here. He had so much to learn. He had the tools, but he just really had a long way to go.
“Give him the credit for putting the work in. He worked on his weaknesses and things like that. He’s bringing size, athleticism, and he’s a great pass rusher.”
Dodd would be elated to be drafted in the first round.
“It’s all potential, but it’s very special to be in that conversation,” Dodd said.
In several of the early mock drafts, Lawson was being tabbed to be selected by the Falcons.
“I talk to (Falcons defensive line) coach (Bryan) Cox a lot,” Lawson said. “We talked a lot at combine. I’ve been talking to him. I plan on doing a private workout, but I don’t know the date.”
The Falcons need to improve their pass rush.
“It was just great meeting those guys,” Lawson said. “Knowing that potentially that I have a chance to play with Vic again, that would be great. He’s a great player.”
About the Author
