Rubbing the Rock
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Clemson Football: 10 Best Defensive Players – Of the 80’s

By Ben Greeson

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked on the 2 yard line against Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the first quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked on the 2 yard line against Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the first quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers fans celebrate during the fourth quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers fans celebrate during the fourth quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Donnell Wooford

Donnell Wooford was a force in the secondary and  a huge reason the Tiger teams that he played on won 10 games every year.

Woolford, who played for the Tigers from 1985-88, was a two-time All-American who earned second-team honors in 1987 and consensus All-America honors in 1988.

He helped lead Clemson, coached by Danny Ford, to a 28-6-2 record in his final three seasons, including national top-10 rankings in 1987 and 1988.

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A two-time First-Team All-ACC selection, he helped Clemson to ACC Championships in each of his final three seasons, recording 10 interceptions in his career. An excellent punt returner, he led the ACC and finished third nationally with two touchdown returns and a 15.5-yard average in 1987.

Wooford, who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1st round (11th overall) of the 89′ draft played in 10 NFL seasons for the Bears from 1989 to 1997, the Steelers from 1997 to 1998 and the Carolina Panthers from 1998-1999.

He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1993. Woolford was surpassed by Charles Tillman for the most interceptions by a Bears cornerback, although Donnell achieved the goal 18 games faster than Tillman. Wooford had 36 interceptions in the NFL. Wooford is a graduate of Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, N.C.

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