NFL Draft Profile: Jordan McFadden, Offensive Lineman, Clemson Tigers
#71
Pos: iOL
Ht: 6020
Wt: 303
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3400
Wing: 8100
40: 4.99
DOB: 11/16/1999
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
High School: Dorman
Eligibility: 2023
Jordan McFadden
Clemson Tigers
One-Liners
The film was really impressive with McFadden, he just has measurables that will make it an uphill battle to stick at the next level.
Evaluation:
Even at his size, Clemson has had McFadden play left and right tackle throughout his career. He has done a really good job at both spots and held his own no matter the opponent. His success starts with his upper body strength. McFadden is a top heavy player, who has the strength to handle bull rushers and when pass rushers convert speed to power. His length and overall grip strength were also great. McFadden is able to get inside of defenders and keep them from penetrating the pocket in pass protection. He mirrors speed rushers with ease. McFadden is explosive out of his stance and has the balance to stick with rushers. His technique stood out in both the pass and run game. McFadden was always in control and the game moved slowly for him. In the run game, McFadden does an excellent job of moving to the second level and latching onto defenders. He climbs up and uses his grip strength to drive linebackers backward and create holes for the ball carriers to run through. McFadden is a much smaller player but he plays upright. It doesn’t impact him at tackle and it won’t impact him at guard but he is too high cut to play center. He pops out of his stance and struggles to change direction in the run game. McFadden is very good linearly but doesn’t have the quickness and change of direction to redirect defenders coming downhill to the side of him. The best fit for McFadden will be at guard but he is going to be one of the smallest guards in the NFL. McFadden is just a guy in terms of his athleticism. The technique and overall understanding of the game are evident on McFadden’s film, he just doesn’t have the high-end traits.
Grade:
HPFA
Background:
Born November 16th, 1999 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Jordan McFadden was an athletic standout at Dorman High School. The multi-sport athlete helped his school to a 23-5 basketball record as a junior. On the gridiron, he led Dorman to a 12-3 record and the state title games as a senior. The State named him State Lineman of the Year. After his final season, McFadden received a three-star rating from 247Sports Composite Rankings. The same outlet ranked him 819th in his class, the 66th-best offensive tackle and the 14th-overall recruit from South Carolina in his year. In his first year at Clemson, McFadden played just 17 snaps while exercising his redshirt. In 2019, he saw an increase in playing time. While he did not start, he played 315 snaps in 14 games. In 2020, McFadden took the starting right tackle job and thrived. He started all 12 games and played 767 snaps. Arguably the top player on a line that posted the best sacks per game number (fewer than two) in the ACC, the athletic tackle was named the Pro Football Focus’s Second-Team All-ACC. During 2021 camps, McFadden has consistently received high praise. Dabo Swinney, Clemson’s head coach, publicly proclaimed his belief that McFadden is the best lineman in college football right now. The talented lineman will move from right tackle to left tackle in 2021. Teammates, media members and coaches recognize him for his leadership after the line saw several members move on to the NFL. An academic standout, the sociology major has been named to the ACC Honor Roll twice (2019-2020).
Quotes:
"Honestly, I want to show everybody that we can run the ball. Personally, you know, with the offense we had before prior, we primarily were passing the ball but I just want to show people that I can be physical, I can be dominant on the field when we're running that ball. That's what I'm looking forward to." -- Pittsburgh OL Carter Warren on what he hopes to prove
