Tiger safety looks to impress pro scouts in 2007

By Bob Wilson  |   Tuesday, February 06, 2007  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
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Clemson Tiger safety Michael Hamlin will be called upon to anchor the secondary next season. The hard-hitting defensive back racked up 44 solo tackles and another 19 assists last season to go along with two interceptions. The year before, Hamlin was the seventh-leading tackler on the team and was named to a couple of freshman All-American teams.

Hamlin is the most experienced DB, as well as the most talented, so he seems an easy choice for the leader of the secondary. Duane Coleman was the vocal leader of the group last year, but Hamlin has also shown that he can guide by example.

The Tigers were forced into playing a lot of zone coverage because of injuries and inexperience on the defensive side of the ball. Hamlin brought a certain level of aggression to the Clemson zone. He separated more than a few receivers from the ball with bone-crushing hits. The Timmonsville, S.C., native also showed off his elusive moves by returning his two picks for a combined 90 yards.

The main concern with Hamlin in 2007 will be whether he continues to play within defensive coordinator Vic Koening's system. The talented safety flirted with leaving school to pursue an NFL career before deciding to return for his junior year. Tiger fans should not expect him to stay for more than another season.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing a sturdy 200 pounds, Hamlin has the size to play at the next level. However, he may add a few pounds of muscle this off-season to become even more physically imposing. As hard as he hits at 200 pounds, ACC receivers better hope Hamlin doesn't bulk up too much.

Koening and the defensive staff will need to keep Hamlin playing within the team's scheme and try to dissuade him from freelancing too much. It might be tempting for the junior-to-be to go for the highlight plays as he attempts to improve his resume for pro scouts. However, the Tiger safety has been a team player all along, so the coaches should be able to keep him focused on Clemson football's overall goals.

If Hamlin plays up to his potential next year, the secondary should be a high-echelon group, and he should be playing on Sundays in 2008.

Daily Clemson Tigers insights, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 3  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Marc H.		02:47 PM
02/06/2007
I agree regarding Hamlin going pro after next year. Outside of an injury or something extreme, he's NFL. He'd be a good...
No.2
Kendre Williamson		12:53 PM
02/13/2007
I would love to see Michael play in the NFL, but I want him to focus on a successful year at Clemson first. If he remains a...
No.3
De'Von Forman		10:16 PM
11/24/2007
I am Michael Hamlin cuzin De'Von Maurice Forman A.K.a Busta and i think he going to make the NFL and take a couple of them player...
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