Charleston, S.C. – One day after the National Football League ended its 135-day lockout, The Citadel Football's defensive end Erik Clanton became one of 15 free agents picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clanton, the Bulldogs' only 2010 All-Conference first team selection, will join teammate cornerback Cortez Allen who was drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers in April.
"It's been a long time coming, from early obstacles in my college career to a great senior year," Clanton said on Tuesday morning. "But I always knew I wanted to go to the NFL and always said that I would at some point and that time is now.
"It's an awesome feeling to be going to the NFL but an even greater feeling to be going to my favorite team. And the fact that a former teammate of mine, Cortez Allen- a guy that I bled, sweated and shed tears with the last five years, will be there just makes a blessing that much more wonderful."
Clanton, who signed with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Allouettes earlier in the year, finished the regular season ranked tied for 12th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in pass sacks with 9.0, an average of .87 per game. He also placed third in the SoCon in tackles for loss with 14.0 for a loss of 61 yards. Clanton's sacks ranked him tied for third all-time at The Citadel in total sacks in a season.
A Southern Pigskin Mid-Season All-Southern Conference team selection, Clanton emerged as the Bulldogs' defensive threat in 2010, totaling the third highest amount of total tackles among The Citadel defenders with 62. He also recorded one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery for 40 yards and three forced fumbles.
Clanton's best performance of the season came against Georgia Southern when he totaled 16 tackles. He also recorded seven tackles, four for a loss of 22 yards, including three sacks for a loss of 18 yards, against Chowan in the season-opener.
Clanton ended his career with 12.0 sacks, 114 total tackles, 22.0 tackles for a loss of 113 yards, three pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Furman's wide receiver Adam Mims was also picked up by the Steelers on Tuesday along with Clanton.
For more information on Bulldog Football, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics, the new www.CitadelSports.com.
