Stanley McClover

Stanley McClover Draft Profile
STANLEY McCLOVER
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Auburn University Tigers
#75
6:02.5-263
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Dillard High School


OVERVIEW
Not since the days of Aundray Bruce have the Tiger fans seen such an explosive pass rusher as Stanley McClover. The speedy defensive end has drawn comparisons to Bruce and San Diego's Shawne Merriman for his ability to simply explode into the backfield and create havoc pushing the pocket. Though his career was brief, he made an impact as an edge rusher for one of the stingiest defenses in the country that ranked sixth in the NCAA Division 1-A ranks in 2005, allowing only 15.5 points per game.

McClover was named to the Broward All-County first-team and the Florida Sports Writers Class 6A All-State second-team as a senior, helping lead Dillard High School to a berth in the regional semifinals. He earned Prep Star and Super Prep All-American accolades and the Florida Times Union rated him top defensive end in the state, according him Super 75 honors. He was also a member of the Orlando Sentinel Top 100 and Atlanta Journal- Constitution Super Southern 100 squad.

McClover recorded 102 tackles (91 solos) and tied for the Broward County lead with 22 quarterback sacks as a senior. He finished his junior season with 100 tackles and 13 sacks, picking up All-County first-team and All-State second-team recognition.

In 2003, McClover was a partial qualifier who was ineligible to play, but did practice on the scout team for Auburn. He was a Freshman All-American second-team choice by The Sporting News in 2004, adding All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors from the league's coaches. He only started twice, but tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks and led the squad with ten stops behind the line of scrimmage and nine quarterback pressures. He also caused four fumbles and deflected two passes.

Hamstring and ankle problems plagued McClover throughout the 2005 season. He was an All-SEC honorable mention, as he started seven of eleven games at right defensive end. He posted 31 tackles (21 solos) and led the defense with eight sacks and 13.5 stops for losses. McClover caused a fumble, batted away three passes and registered four pressures.

In 24 games with the Tigers, McClover started nine times. He finished his career with 15.5 sacks for minus 99 yards, 23.5 stops for losses of 115 yards and thirteen quarterback pressures. He caused five fumbles and had five pass deflections.

ANALYSIS

Positives...Has outstanding explosiveness and acceleration coming off the snap, regularly surprising blockers with his suddenness coming off the edge...Takes advantage of his burst and long arms to string plays wide and make tackles along the perimeter...Has the quickness to take the wide loop around the edge and still close on the quarterback in a hurry...Shows above average change of direction agility working down the line...Shows the loose hips and backpedal agility to come out of transition and make plays in space... Lacks the weight to stack and control, but is a slippery in-line gap performer who can squeeze through tight quarters...Gives very good effort running down the ball and shows the hip snap to redirect and get back in the play instantly when he over-pursues...Has the quickness to cover tight ends and slot receivers in the short area and demonstrates decent wrap technique...Explodes behind his hits, but also has the long arms to reach and drag down the ball carrier...Has effective rip, pull and swim moves to get an edge on the offensive tackle during his pass rush...Quick to locate the ball when sliding down the line.

Negatives...Plays with good leverage, but will struggle at the point of attack vs. the offensive linemen because of a lack of bulk...Does not have the leg base to hold ground vs. double teams and is quickly neutralized once a blocker gets their hands on him...Will sometimes try to avoid contact too much rather than initiate it, taking wide angles that will take him out of the play...Needs to use his hands better to stave off blockers (leaves chest exposed when getting upright in his stance)...Shows good rip moves, but his hands are not active enough to gain separation...Stays low to avoid blocks when working in-line, but will get bounced out of the rush lane by a strong lead block, especially when he fails to keep his pad level low.

McClover has a thick frame with good shoulder and chest width, solid upper body muscle tone, long arms, lean waist, good bubble and a frame that can carry at least another ten pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness. He needs to add lower body strength, as he does not have the "sand in his pants" to anchor vs. the offensive linemen. It is his speed and athletic ability that allows him to drop into coverage or make plays chasing down the line. He is not built like a classic 4-3 defensive end, but with his quickness, he could be very effective coming off the edge in a 3-4 alignment.

His closing burst is outstanding and he shows the flexibility, knee bend and change of direction agility to pursue from sideline to sideline. He has adequate strength, but plays with good leverage, especially when he extends his long arms, but needs to show better hand placement to keep blockers from attacking his body. McClover is still developing read-and-react skills, but gives a good effort chasing the play once he locates the ball. When given an unimpeded lane, McClover shows explosiveness coming from the backside to pressure the pocket.

Because of a lack of bulk, he gets engulfed by the offensive tackles and guards when trying to shoot the inside gaps. When he gets covered up, the battle is over, as he does not have the hand technique to shed. He lacks weight to hold ground at the point of attack, but has excellent lateral range to slide and avoid in-line blocks. Because of his limited bulk for a down lineman, he has to take a wide loop around the corner to avoid getting caught in trash, but he has the acceleration to close in a hurry.

The thing you see on film is that McClover moves very well to contain the toss sweep. He is very quick to counter and change direction, especially coming through the backside. He will strike ball carriers with force when on the move and does a good job of making adjustments when operating in space. He is fun to watch when he zeroes in on the quarter-back, as he will make every effort to get to the passer.

McClover surprises offensive tackles on a regular basis with his suddenness coming off the edge and has more than enough flexibility to make the turn and redirect going down the line. When he makes contact with the passer, he shows proper wrap technique with his large hands, he is able to reach and yank the quarterback to the ground.

Size issues will limit McClover to working mostly in pass rushing situations, if he is to remain a down lineman in a 4-3 system. Like Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware (Dallas), he might be better suited for an outside linebacker slot in a 3-4 alignment. His nagging ankle injury will need further medical evaluation, but teams looking for an explosive edge rusher might find a great package with this player.

INJURY REPORT

2005: Suffered a hamstring pull in August camp and a high ankle sprain in the season opener vs. Georgia Tech (9/03) that would force him to sit out vs. Ball State and see limited action vs. Mississippi State, Western Kentucky, South Carolina and Arkansas.

CAREER NOTES

Despite playing in only 24 games for the Tigers, he ranks ninth on the school's all-time record list with 15.5 quarterback sacks...His eight sacks in 2005 tied Aundray Bruce (1987), Gerald Williams (1985) and Gerald Robinson (1984) for ninth place on Auburn's season-record chart.

AGILITY TESTS

Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash...345-pound bench press...Bench presses 225 pounds 23 times...33 1/8-inch arm length...9 7/8-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Rodney Gray...Named to the Broward All-County first-team and the Florida Sports Writers Class 6A All-State second-team as a senior, helping lead Dillard to a berth in the regional semi-finals...Earned Prep Star and Super Prep All-American accolades and the Florida Times Union rated him top defensive end in the state...Was also a member of the Orlando Sentinel Top 100 and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 squad.

PERSONAL

Criminology major...Son of Angela Burns and Stan McClover...Born 12/16/84...Resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

 

Practice squad maybe. Hard to crack our lineup at DE.

 

Maybe they'll try him at OLB. :imagestor

 

Dave Te has him ranked as a the 9th DE, a 3rd rounder. NFLDraftCountdown also has him 9th, and as a midrounder:

<<Strengths:
An excellent natural athlete...Has outstanding speed and quickness...Agile with great body control and changes direction well...A tremendous pass rusher off the edge...Explosive and makes a lot of big plays...Does a great job in pursuit...Good tackler and shows some ability in space...Productive...Still has a massive upside.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal height and bulk...Does not have a lot of experience and is very raw...Is not very consistent and disappears for stretches...Needs to bulk up and get stronger...Is too aggressive at times...Struggles to take on blocks...Relies too heavily on his athleticism...Might be a 'tweener who has to change positions.

Notes:
Could be moved to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme...Averaged about 12 tackles for loss and 8 sacks in his two seasons of playing time...Could have gone much higher with another year in college...A situational pass rusher at the very least...Has some physical tools to work with and his potential is very intriguing. >>

 

TFY.

<<Full Name: Stanley McClover School: Auburn Pos: DE

Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 262 40: 4.72 Year: 3Jr

Bio: Two-year starter and All-Conference selection who posted 31/13.5/8 last season. Sophomore totals were 35/10/7.5.

Pos: Explosive pass-rusher with a high upside for the next level. Quick off the snap, can bend off the edge or pursue from the backside with speed. Displays outstanding range on the field and is fast in any direction. Disciplined, and does more than just mindlessly rush up the field.

Neg: Undersized, lacks strength at the point and can be driven off the line by opponents. Hobbled with an ankle injury last season.

Analysis: A surprise entry into this year's draft, McClover is a developing pass rusher who offers a variety of skills. Must physically mature and improve his strength yet offers starting potential. >>

Sounds like he really hurt himself by coming out. Not physically grown, and not enough history not being injured. I've kind of wanted a situational pass rusher.

 

He could beat out Haye.

 

I was going to say that. It's competition, and I'll take that from a 7th.

 

He could, but could either guy make the 53? We seem to be set at DL, and LB. If they see him as a replacement for Kemp, then I guess he could sneak in.

 

We'll have 4 DEs. Peppers, Rucker, Wallace, ???

 

I was thinking of a DT/DE, which would conserve a roster spot. Leverette has the more ideal physical traits, if they wanted to go in that direction, but we did have Kemp, who isn't a huge guy. Lewis or Moorehead could fill in at DE, if it came to that, but Wallace typically plays either side.