Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley was selected No. 97 by Miami in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft on Friday.
Tankersley was the third former Tiger taken in the 2017 draft, joining wide receiver Mike Williams and quarterback Deshaun Watson. Williams was taken No. 7 overall by the L.A. Chargers on Thursday, while Watson was selected at No. 12 by the Houston Texans.
“If you are drawing up a corner, then this is the guy,” analyst Mike Mayock said on the NFL Network. “He can run fast. He is a press corner. He has a two-year ball production.”
Tankersley was part of a Clemson defense that led the ACC and was eighth nationally in total defense and scoring defense.
In the last two years, Tankersley became one of the best corners in the ACC as he earned All-American honors this past season. Tankersley amassed 149 tackles, nine interceptions and 22 pass breakups in his 55 career games. The Beach Island, S.C. native appeared in more career games than any member of the 2016 senior class, while starting 30 of those games. His 55 career games rank second in Clemson history behind only Chad Diehl, who had 57.
Tankersley had 65 tackles, four interceptions, six tackles for loss and 11 pass breakups in 2016. He posted six tackles and a pass breakup in the Tigers National Championship win over Alabama. He also had two interceptions in the ACC Championship Game and had a third in the red zone to preserve the 31-0 win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
“Now, he is the most disinterested defensive back in this entire draft when it comes to supporting the run,” Mayock said. “Dalvin Cook had two touchdown runs against (Clemson) over 50 yards. He was directly responsible for support. He did not get involved at all, so why I recognize the length and the speed and the talent, the fact he will not support the run means something to me so I struggled with him a little bit, but I certainly do understand and appreciate the skill set that he brings.”