By Will Vandervort.
The Rex Ryan connection works again. This time it will give former Clemson linebacker Tony Steward an opportunity to make an NFL squad.
Ryan, now the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, played a role in Steward being selected in the sixth round with the 188th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. There were questions about Steward’s knee, in which he tore his ACL during his freshman year, after suffering a knee injury in high school as well.
“We feel good about it,” Bills Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos said. “Coach Ryan has known him for a long time, too, obviously, the Clemson connection with his son.”
Ryan’s son, Seth, is a walk-on wide receiver at Clemson. Last year, Ryan drafted former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd with his sixth-round pick when he was the head coach for the New York Jets. He also signed former Clemson center Dalton Freeman to a free agent contract following the 2013 Draft.
But Buffalo has had a relationship with Clemson before Ryan got there this past winter. Steward’s selection by the Bills marks the third straight year, and the fifth time in the last six years, Buffalo picked a Clemson player.
Last year, it was wide receiver Sammy Watkins. In 2013, the Bills picked safety Jonathan Meeks and in 2011, they chose offensive tackle Chris Hairston. In 2010, the Bills picked running back C.J. Spiller, now with New Orleans, with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft.
Now it is Steward’s turn, but don’t be fooled. The Bills say Steward earned his draft selection with his performance at Clemson’s Pro Day. Ryan, along with Monos and two other Bills’ executives, were at Clemson’s Pro Day on March 3.
“He was awesome at the Pro Day,” Monos said. “He is 240 pounds and runs a 4.64 all day. He loves football. He is tough and is productive. We are excited about him.”
Monos says Steward fits a need for them as a backup linebacker and as a special teams player.
“He will be on special teams right away and will challenge to start (at linebacker),” he said.
In 2014, Steward recorded 73 tackles, which tied defensive tackle Grady Jarrett for third on the team. Jarrett was selected in the fifth round by the Falcons at 137. As for Steward, he also totaled 3.5 sacks and had 10 tackles for loss. He also had 13 quarterback pressures.
Steward was the fifth Clemson player chosen in the draft this year.