5 Best Clemson NFL Draft gems of all-time
No. 4: Ed McDaniel | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|
Linebacker | 1992 - 5th Round |
A third-team All-American in 1991, Ed McDaniel was just a fifth-round selection in 1992 by the Minnesota Vikings. However, he parlayed that into a long NFL career.
It was a slow start for McDaniel though. In his first two seasons, he racked up only 30 total tackles, including just nine as a rookie.
However, in 1994 he took off with 119 tackles. That began a run of five 100-tackle seasons in seven years.
The only two times he didn't have 100 tackles between 1994-2000 were in 1996 when he missed the entire season with a knee injury and the year after that when he racked up 90 tackles upon his return from his injury.
In 1998, just two years after injuring his knee, he amassed an amazing 128 tackles. That earned him a Pro Bowl selection, the only one of his career.