3-4 Defensive End

South Carolina

6-7 299

40 time: 4.97

Draft board overall prospect rank: #191

Draft board 3-4 defensive end rank: #13

Overall rating: 54*

            4/7/10: Clifton Geathers made the surprise decision to come out a year early this year, despite only recording 5.5 career sacks in 3 seasons at South Carolina, one as a sparingly used backup, one as a situational guy, and one as a starter. His physical upside certainly has scouts buzzing, but I have to question his decision to come out early. He’s not going to be drafted on the first 2 days and will probably have to wait until the 5^th or 6^th round to hear his name called, so the decision to come out, rather than polish his game in school, is questionable. That being said, he is a large pass rusher with excellent bulk and extremely long arms. He has football in his blood. His brother Robert is the starting left end for the Cincinnati Bengals and Clifton may be even more athletic than his freakishly athletic brother. He looks as physically opposing as guys like Calais Campbell, who have bright futures in the NFL, but, even compared to Campbell, Geathers did not show himself to be someone who’s play matches his upside. He had good moments last year, but those were few and far between. He’s extremely raw as a pass rusher. He doesn’t play with good control and leverage. His motor runs hot and cold, most often cold, and he doesn’t do well in pursuit. He’s not a great tackler. He lacks elite motivation. I would draft him late on upside alone, but I am not counting on him to be much at the NFL level.

NFL Comparison: Tony McDaniel

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here