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Will Shipley, Xavier Thomas' blazing 40-yard dash times headline Clemson's Pro Day
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- Will Shipley, Xavier Thomas' blazing 40-yard dash times headline Clemson's Pro Day
CLEMSON — Clemson football hosted its Pro Day on Thursday morning that featured 10 players, including running back Will Shipley and cornerback Nate Wiggins .
Shipley participated in all drills with four other players -- defensive backs Sheridan Jones and Jalyn Phillips, defensive end Justin Mascoll and offensive lineman Will Putnam . Wiggins took part only in position drills, and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. did not participate because of a minor hamstring strain. He will conduct separate workouts with teams next month.
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With all 32 NFL teams present, including Steelers general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin, Clemson players aimed to improve their draft resume ahead of the NFL Draft on April 25 in Detroit.
Here are three players who boosted their stock after Clemson's Pro Day:
RB Will Shipley
Shipley was the biggest winner of Pro Day after he didn't take part in any drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. After suffering a knee injury that didn't require surgery in the Gator Bowl, he declared for the NFL Draft on Jan. 3.
The running back showcased his blazing speed, running 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and his leaping ability, posting a 38.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump. Only two running backs at the NFL Combine had a faster time than Shipley had Thursday. He ended his workout showcasing his burst, agility and explosiveness during position drills.
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Outside of a few dropped passes, it was an ideal day for Shipley to remind scouts of his versatile talent. He is projected to be selected in Rounds 2-5 of the NFL Draft. In 36 career games (27 starts) at Clemson, he recorded 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns on 526 rushing attempts and 602 yards and two touchdowns on 85 career receptions.
DE Xavier Thomas
Thomas ran 4.62 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last month and entered Clemson's Pro Day determined to improve his time. He ran 4.56, which would have ranked third among defensive ends in the combine, but he wanted his time to be in the 4.4-second range like it was during his training. Still, the sixth-year player was content with his showing Thursday.
"I feel like I can go to any organization and be a key piece regardless of whatever they want me to do, especially things like rotational pass rusher, those type of things, and really being a help to any organization, because of my versatility as a player and in regards of what I bring to the table," said Thomas, who projects as a second- to fifth-round selection in the draft.
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After achieving early success in his Clemson career, Thomas battled adversity and depression in 2020, which he shared with NFL teams. He said he needed the extra time with the Tigers to become an adult. Through 61 career games (30 starts), Thomas recorded 121 tackles (34 for loss), 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and seven pass deflections.
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OL Will Putnam
Thursday was a chance for scouts to see Clemson's four-year starter, who played two seasons each at center and guard. After not getting invited to any of the collegiate all-star games or the NFL Combine, he used the Pro Day as motivation, displaying his speed, strength and athleticism.
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Putnam logged 5.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 28 reps in bench press, 4.70 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.88 seconds in the three-cone shuttle.
"I can say, for certain, that I've proven enough to at least get an opportunity somewhere to go to a camp and get a legit shot," said Putnam, who projects as a Round 4 through 7 selection. "At the end of the day, whether a guy that's undrafted or if you get drafted, like in the fifth round, you still got to make the team."
During his five-year career with the Tigers, Putnam earned two All-ACC selections and played 3,564 snaps from scrimmage, the second most in Clemson history.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football Pro Day: Will Shipley, Xavier Thomas boost draft stock
