Former Tiger works his way into NFL Draft
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Sports
As the seconds ticked away and teams picked player after player in the 2009 NFL Draft, it looked as if former University of Memphis defensive tackle Clinton McDonald would have to find a different route into professional football.
Then, just a few minutes before the end of the day, McDonald's name was called.
Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 40th pick in the seventh and final round, the Jacksonville, Ark., native lettered four seasons for the Tigers and played in 48 career games.
His draft stock seemed to improve with an impressive U of M Pro Day, in which he posted a 38-inch vertical jump and pumped out 36 repetitions on the bench press. He continued to improve scouts by averaging a 4.83 in the forty-yard dash and a shuttle time of 4.46.
Many experts said McDonald may have moved into the middle rounds, but he didn't hear his name called until the draft was almost over.
McDonald started 33 games and ended his career with 141 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-2, 283-pounder also tallied 11.5 sacks for minus 81 yards.
He had four sacks alone against Arkansas State in 2008, in an effort that both tied a school record and tied for the national lead in sacks for a single game that season. His performance against the Red Wolves earned him Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
As a senior, McDonald was named to the All-C-USA First Team and was invited to play in the 84th annual East-West Shrine Game. That season, he started 10 of 11 games, notching 39 tackles and seven sacks.
Not only did McDonald lead the Tigers on the field, but off the field as well.
He was chosen by teammates to serve as a team captain
for his last two years in the blue and gray. He became the first junior to be selected a captain during coach Tommy West's time at The U of M.
McDonald is the fourth Tiger to be drafted in the last five years, and the 10th since West joined the Tigers staff in 2000.
Another former Tiger made a step into the NFL late Sunday, but it wasn't by the draft. Six-foot-six offensive lineman Brandon Pearce signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
Then, just a few minutes before the end of the day, McDonald's name was called.
Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 40th pick in the seventh and final round, the Jacksonville, Ark., native lettered four seasons for the Tigers and played in 48 career games.
His draft stock seemed to improve with an impressive U of M Pro Day, in which he posted a 38-inch vertical jump and pumped out 36 repetitions on the bench press. He continued to improve scouts by averaging a 4.83 in the forty-yard dash and a shuttle time of 4.46.
Many experts said McDonald may have moved into the middle rounds, but he didn't hear his name called until the draft was almost over.
McDonald started 33 games and ended his career with 141 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 6-foot-2, 283-pounder also tallied 11.5 sacks for minus 81 yards.
He had four sacks alone against Arkansas State in 2008, in an effort that both tied a school record and tied for the national lead in sacks for a single game that season. His performance against the Red Wolves earned him Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
As a senior, McDonald was named to the All-C-USA First Team and was invited to play in the 84th annual East-West Shrine Game. That season, he started 10 of 11 games, notching 39 tackles and seven sacks.
Not only did McDonald lead the Tigers on the field, but off the field as well.
He was chosen by teammates to serve as a team captain
for his last two years in the blue and gray. He became the first junior to be selected a captain during coach Tommy West's time at The U of M.
McDonald is the fourth Tiger to be drafted in the last five years, and the 10th since West joined the Tigers staff in 2000.
Another former Tiger made a step into the NFL late Sunday, but it wasn't by the draft. Six-foot-six offensive lineman Brandon Pearce signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.