Watkins, Bryant and Breeland Declare for NFL Draft

Clemson released official information on the 3 today. We have not heard of other official announcements.

My opinion on Bryant and Watkins was a topic last week, and I believe both Breeland and Bryant are making mistakes, but Bryant moreso. Breeland has the talent to be a 2-3rd rounder but I think he needed another year of seasoning and further work on his M2M technique. His 2012 season will generate question marks for the NFL scouts. Still, I do not see him working into the 1st round no matter how good a season he would've had in 2014 because he doesn't have the elite speed they'll covet. I think he morphs into an NFL safety and he could have a very good career at the spot.

His departure diminishes our chances of being an even better pass defense in 2014, and he was a pretty good tackler on the boundary that we may miss more. This was a loss we were not expecting until rumors that he had signed with an agent came out.

Clemson Receiver Martavis Bryant and defensive back Bashaud Breeland both intend to enter the NFL draft. They are the second and third Clemson underclassmen, respectively, to turn professional with a year of eligibility remaining. Earlier on Monday All-America receiver Sammy Watkins announced his intention to enter the NFL draft.

Both players were big reasons Clemson finished the 2013 season with an 11-2 record, including a Discover Orange Bowl victory over Ohio State.

Bryant, a junior from Calhoun Falls, SC, finished this year with 42 receptions for 846 yards and seven touchdowns. His 19.7 yards per catch ranks ninth in the nation among players with at least 20 receptions. He had his best game of the year in the Thursday night win over Georgia Tech when he had five catches for 176 yards. He finished his career with three catches for 28 yards and two scores in the win over sixth-ranked Ohio State in the Discover Orange Bowl last Friday.

For his career, Bryant had 61 catches for 1,372 yards and 13 scores. His career 22.5 yards per catch figure is the best in Clemson history, breaking Joe Blalock's record of 20.3 that had stood since 1941.
Breeland was a second-team All-ACC selection this year, who helped the Clemson defense rank 16th in the nation in fewest passing yards allowed for the course of the season. He finished this season with four interceptions and 13 pass deflections to lead the team in both categories.

The native of Allendale, SC has been at Clemson for four years, but he red-shirted the 2010 season. He had eight tackles in Clemson's win over Ohio State, including a sack on the Buckeye's next to last drive, a hit that led to a fumble recovery by Spencer Shuey to stop an Ohio State drive. Breeland finished with 74 tackles for the season.

And for Sammy Watkins

Clemson junior Sammy Watkins announced Monday that he will make himself available for the 2014 NFL draft. Watkins leaves Clemson as a three-time first-team All-American and the school's record holder in terms of receptions and reception yards on a game, season and career basis. Even though he played just three years, he set 23 Clemson records.

"I am very thankful for the past three years at Clemson University that have enabled me to grow academically, athletically, and spiritually," said Watkins. "After much prayerful consideration, I have decided to take the next step in pursuing my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL.
"I would not have this opportunity without the support and encouragement of my family, coaches, teammates, and the best fans in college football. No matter where my next steps may lead, I will always take pride in the PAW and will forever be a part of the Clemson family."

Watkins finished his Clemson career in grand style as he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Discover Orange Bowl. He had 16 receptions for 227 yards and two scores in Clemson's 40-35 win over sixth-ranked Ohio State.

The 16 receptions and 227 receiving yards established a Clemson single game record and an Orange Bowl record. The 16 receptions also tied an ACC standard for any game and established a record for a BCS Bowl game. The 227 yards were the second most receiving yards in any BCS Bowl game.
Watkins finished the 2013 season with 101 receptions for 1464 yards and 12 touchdowns. He broke Aaron Kelly's record for receptions in a season (88 in 2007) and receiving yards (DeAndre Hopkins 1405 in 2012).
The native of Fort Myers, FL was a first-team All-American this year by the American Football Coaches Association and was a finalist for the 2013 Biletnikoff Award.

Watkins finished his career with 240 receptions for 3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns. The reception total and yardage total are Clemson records and the touchdown total tied former teammate DeAndre Hopkins, who is now with the Houston Texans of the NFL.

He finishes his career ranked second in ACC history in career receptions and third in reception yardage. He is tied for eighth in touchdown receptions and tied for second in 100-yard receiving games with 15. He finished his career with 5,129 all-purpose yards, second in Clemson history to C.J. Spiller's 7588 and ninth in ACC history.

In terms of national rankings this year, Watkins was seventh in reception yards per game with 112.6, 10th in touchdown receptions with 12, and 11th in receptions/game with 7.8. He led the nation in receptions vs. teams with a winning record with 67 and was second in yardage with 1009. He was the only player in the nation with two receptions of at least 90 yards.

Clemson Records Held by Sammy Watkins (23)
Single Game (4)
Receptions: ^@16 vs. Ohio State, 2013
Reception Yards: 227 vs. Ohio State, 2013
Reception Yards in Half: 177 vs. Wake Forest, 2012
All-Purpose Yards: 345 vs. Maryland, 2011

Season (9)
Receptions: 101 in 2013
Receptions/Game: 7.8 in 2013
Reception Yards: 1,464 in 2013
Reception Yards/Game: 112.6 in 2013
100-yard Receiving Games: 8 in 2013
Consecutive 100-Yard Games: #3 in 2013 (twice)
Kickoff Returns: 33 in 2011
Kickoff Return Yards: 826 in 2011
Receptions 90 Yards or More: 2 in 2013

Career (10)
Receptions: 240 from 2011-13
Receptions/Game: 6.67 from 2011-13
Reception Yards: 3391 from 2011-13
Reception Yards/Game: 92.2 from 2011-13
Touchdown Receptions: #27 from 2011-13
100-Yard Receiving Games: 15 from 2011-13
150-Yard Receiving Games: 7 from 2011-13
1000-Yard Receiving Seasons: #2 in 2011 and 2013
Years First-Team All-American: 3, 2011-12-13
ACC Receiver of the Week Selections: 7, from 2011-13
#Tied Record
^Tied ACC Record
@BCS Bowl Record