Hidden Gem of the Week: T.J. Clemmings, RT, Pittsburgh, Sr.
This Week: Dominant effort on right side of offensive line in 21-16 win
Opponent: Virginia Tech
There was no shortage of praise on the Twitterverse for T.J. Clemmings during Pittsburgh’s win against Virginia Tech on Thursday.
Upon watching his play closely from that game, it was easy to see why.
A converted defensive tackle, the 6’6”, 315-poundClemmings possesses a highly intriguing combination of size and athleticism. He exhibits an explosive burst off the line of scrimmage and the power to drive block defenders off the ball.
Clemmings made a number of devastating run blocks against the Hokies while he was never driven backward by a defender. Though he lost leverage at times in pass protection by leaning too far forward, he nonetheless had a strong showing in that area too.
From a technique standpoint, his acclimation to playing offensive line is still a work in progress, but he shows clear upside to be an NFL right tackle with his physical tools and powerful punch.
ESPN’s Todd McShay said Thursday that Clemmings is the “most improved player in 1-yr I’ve ever seen,” while
National Football Post’s Greg Gabriel, a former NFL director of college scouting, said scouts have told him Clemmings “has become a hell of a prospect.”
Very much under the radar even heading into game against Virginia Tech, Clemmings could be shooting up draft boards and is emerging as a potential early-round pick based on his high potential.
Current Draft Projection: Round 2-3