Tag: Andrew Booth Jr.

Watch: Andrew Booth gets his draft call from Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings traded up to get Andrew Booth Jr. for a reason. That’s what Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told the former Clemson star cornerback over the phone after they moved up the board to take him in the second round of the 2022 NFL …

The Minnesota Vikings traded up to get Andrew Booth Jr. for a reason.

That’s what Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told the former Clemson star cornerback over the phone after they moved up the board to take him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 42nd overall pick.

You can watch the moment Booth got the phone call from the Vikings that would change his life forever, letting him know he’d been drafted into the NFL:

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

ESPN’s Kiper gives his take on Vikings’ pick of a ‘remarkable talent’ in Booth

Almost everyone believed Andrew Booth Jr. would be long gone by the time the 10th pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft rolled around. But instead, the former Clemson star cornerback was still on the board, and the Minnesota Vikings seized …

Almost everyone believed Andrew Booth Jr. would be long gone by the time the 10th pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft rolled around.

But instead, the former Clemson star cornerback was still on the board, and the Minnesota Vikings seized the chance to grab him with the 42nd overall pick.

According to ESPN’s draft predictor, there was only a 24-percent chance that Booth would be available at that point in the draft. But he was — the sports hernia surgery that he underwent recently hurt his stock and caused him to slip in the draft after he was unable to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine and Clemson’s Pro Day — and the Vikings ended up getting great value with their selection.

After the Vikings grabbed Booth, ESPN Senior NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. broke down the pick and gave his take on what the 2021 first-team All-ACC selection is bringing to Minnesota.

“I think the ball skills and the talent certainly are evident with Andrew Booth Jr.,” Kiper said during ESPN’s coverage of the draft. “Now, he had the sports hernia injury. He should be fine coming off that.”

When he watched Booth on tape, Kiper saw him display shutdown-cornerback ability at times, similar to that of two corners who went much higher in this year’s NFL Draft than Booth — LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. (No. 3 overall pick to the Houston Texans) and Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner (No. 4 overall pick to the New York Jets).

“You would expect Andrew Booth Jr. this year to be the lockdown corner that Sauce Gardner was, that Derek Stingley was in 2019, and he certainly had games where he showcased that type of ability,” Kiper said. “He turns easy, runs with the fastest of the receivers, and he will come up and he will smack you, he will hit you. Very aggressive corner.”

Kiper called Booth a “remarkable talent” but said he noticed “some lapses” from Booth in coverage concentration wise, though he added that he believes the former Tiger could be a good NFL cornerback if he can become more consistent at the next level.

“I think when you look at Andrew Booth Jr., some lapses, there was some concentration in coverage,” Kiper said. “You see the striking ability. He will throw that body around. You think about the ball skills, pretty solid as well. He processes things quickly. I think when you look at Andrew Booth Jr., had he been more consistent, he’d have been a first-round draft choice with the talent he brings to the position…

“He is a remarkable talent, but if he can really solidify a little bit more of a level of consistency at the pro level, he could be a good corner in this league.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Pre-draft process was ‘frustrating’ for Booth, but he’s ‘super excited’ to be a Viking

On Friday night, Andrew Booth Jr. realized a lifelong dream when he heard his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings selected the former Clemson star cornerback with the 10th pick of the second round (No. 42 overall), and Booth …

On Friday night, Andrew Booth Jr. realized a lifelong dream when he heard his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Minnesota Vikings selected the former Clemson star cornerback with the 10th pick of the second round (No. 42 overall), and Booth spoke with the media after being picked about joining the Vikings.

“I’m super excited, man,” Booth said. “This is a lifetime dream coming true. It’s kind of out-of-body because it’s a lifetime dream, so it’s finally here. I really don’t have words. I don’t have too many words. I’m just ready to play the game that I love again and play at the highest level with great health. I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time, so I’m just ready to put the pads on and get to it.”

Booth was widely projected by pundits to be a first-round pick, but he recently underwent hernia surgery, which kept him from participating in the NFL Scouting Combine and Clemson’s Pro Day last month and undoubtedly hurt his draft stock.

The pre-draft process, Booth said, was “frustrating” because he felt not being able to go through testing and workouts made it difficult for teams to really love him. But he says he’s more healthy – and “10 times better” — than the player NFL teams saw on film, and he’s ready to get to work with the Vikings.

“It’s been crazy, but I went into it understanding everything’s about perspective, and from the teams’ perspective, I understood,” Booth said when asked about teams wondering if there are health concerns or injury issues with him. “I didn’t do the combine and Pro Day, so I made it kind of hard for everybody to really love me. I know everybody really, really liked me.

“It was tough because I know one, I’m more healthy than the guy that’s on tape that goes out on these meetings everybody’s putting up. I’m 10 times better than the cat on tape, and it’s kind of like a bad feeling because I know what it is now, I know my health, I know where it’s going to be. So, it’s kind of frustrating. But like I always say, I end up wherever I’m supposed to be and I’m super excited to be a Viking. … But let’s do it. That’s all I got. Let’s do it.”

A first-team All-ACC selection in 2021, Booth recorded 39 tackles (3.0 for loss), five pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions in 11 games (all starts) last season and finished his three-year career with the Tigers (2019-21) with 75 tackles (5.5 for loss), 10 pass breakups, five interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery (which he returned 21 yards for a touchdown) over 35 career games (15 starts).

The Vikings might have an opening for a starting cornerback, and Booth was asked if he’s the type of guy who could potentially start as a rookie for the Vikings.

“Absolutely. I just feel like I’m that guy,” he said. “A lot of people have their own perspective on it or whatever. But I’m going to come in, I’m going to work hard and that’s just what it is. I’m going to come in, I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do and then whatever happens after that happens. But I’m going to come in, I’m going to do my thing, I’m going to work hard and I’m going to be the standard.

“Going kind of high, like second round, kind of high, my future teammates, they’re like, ‘Well, this guy was drafted high, let me see something.’ I know I’m going to have to be the standard, I’m going to have to show those cats and gain their respect off the rip. So, I plan on coming in and working hard and earning that starting spot.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

What They Are Saying: Booth hears his name called in 2022 NFL Draft

Andrew Booth got the call he’d been waiting for on Friday night, when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 42 overall pick. After the former Clemson cornerback came off the board, Twitter was …

Andrew Booth got the call he’d been waiting for on Friday night, when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 42 overall pick.

After the former Clemson cornerback came off the board, Twitter was abuzz with reactions.

Check out what they are saying about Booth going to the Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft:

 

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

‘A darn good football player’: NFL Network analyst ‘excited’ for Booth, Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings got a great value pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, taking former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. with the No. 42 overall selection (10th pick of the second round) on Friday night. Booth underwent hernia …

The Minnesota Vikings got a great value pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, taking former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. with the No. 42 overall selection (10th pick of the second round) on Friday night.

Booth underwent hernia surgery recently, which kept him from participating in the NFL Scouting Combine and Clemson’s Pro Day last month — hurting his draft stock and ultimately causing him to slide out of the first round — but NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah is high on Booth and said during the network’s coverage of the draft that he is “excited” for both Booth and the Vikings.

“I spent a lot of time studying Andrew Booth… He’s a good football player,” Jeremiah said. “I’m excited for him, I’m excited for the Minnesota Vikings. They got a good one. This would’ve been a first-round pick if he had been healthy through the process. Had that hernia surgery, wasn’t able to participate at the combine or the pro day. This is a darn good football player.”

A highlight-reel athletic corner, Booth departed for the NFL Draft after his junior season with the Tigers after recording 75 tackles (5.5 for loss), 10 pass breakups, five interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery (which he returned 21 yards for a touchdown) over 35 career games (15 starts) from 2019-21.

In addition to earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2021, Booth also earned first-team all-conference honors from the AP, PFF and Phil Steele last season after recording 39 tackles (3.0 for loss), five pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions in 11 games (all starts).

“This is an excellent man-to-man cover guy who’s also a more-than-willing tackler out on the edge,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said.

Joel Klatt pointed out that Booth played clean football at Clemson and drew few penalty flags in coverage.

“He only had one PI (pass inteference) call in the last couple of years, so he knows how to play on the outside,” the analyst said.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Former Tiger gets on his ‘soapbox’ talking about Booth ahead of draft

A former Clemson standout got on his soapbox this week when talking about Andrew Booth Jr. Former Tiger and All-ACC offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain is a big fan of Booth, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft that gets …

A former Clemson standout got on his soapbox this week when talking about Andrew Booth Jr.

Former Tiger and All-ACC offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain is a big fan of Booth, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft that gets underway Thursday in Las Vegas.

“I’m going to get on a little soapbox here,” Mac Lain said on Packer and Durham on ACC Network this week. “I think if you look at the film, if you watch him play football, he’s the first- or second-best corner in the draft.”

Mac Lain believes Booth — a first-team All-ACC selection as a junior in 2021, when he had 39 tackles (3.0 for loss), five pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions in 11 games — has everything NFL teams are looking for in a defensive back.

“He does everything,” Mac Lain said. “He’s a ballhawk. He has ball skills. He’s making one-handed catches over 6-8 wide receivers. He comes up in run suppport and is not afraid to put his face in the fire. He has the picks.”

Booth recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia and was unable to participate in Clemson’s Pro Day and the NFL Combine while recovering from the surgery, though he is currently expected to be ready for training camp.

Mac Lain says there’s a “weird cloud” hanging over Booth because of his lack of testing during the pre-draft process. But Booth’s tape and performance on the field over the past three seasons at Clemson shows Mac Lain all he needs to see from the star corner, who recorded 75 tackles (5.5 for loss), 10 pass breakups, five interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery (which he returned 21 yards for a touchdown) over 35 career games from 2019-21.

“I think when you look at the postseason — and he wasn’t able to do the combine because of injury, he wasn’t able to do the Pro Day because of injury — the ‘Underwear Olympics’ have put this weird cloud over Andrew Booth for whatever reason,” Mac Lain said. “I don’t have to sit here and make him jump and touch a stick. I’ve seen him fly through the air and intercept the ball from (former Pittsburgh quarterback) Kenny Pickett. I’ve seen him jump over a receiver. I don’t need to see he’s fast. I’ve seen him hawk down guys all the time.”

ESPN’s latest seven-round mock draft (subscription required) projects Booth to be selected by the New England Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the first round.

But regardless of where Booth lands or whichever team grabs him in the draft, Mac Lain believes that team will not regret the pick and will be getting a great return on investment.

“For me, man, he’s a guy that whoever drafts him — maybe the Bills, maybe the Patriots around the 20 area — they’re getting a ton of value out of that pick,” he said.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Where are former Tigers in ESPN’s latest 7-round mock draft, final draft rankings?

With the 2022 NFL Draft set to get underway with the first round on Thursday in Las Vegas, ESPN NFL Draft analysts have released their latest mock draft and final draft rankings. ESPN’s Matt Miller published a seven-round mock draft (subscription …

With the 2022 NFL Draft set to get underway with the first round on Thursday in Las Vegas, ESPN NFL Draft analysts have released their latest mock draft and final draft rankings.

ESPN’s Matt Miller published a seven-round mock draft (subscription required) on Tuesday and has Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. going to the New England Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the first round.

“Booth could be the replacement for J.C. Jackson, and he could be the steal of the cornerback class here,” Miller wrote. “Booth’s Clemson tape shows a tough technician who is quick, fluid and agile. He has also shown versatility in a diverse defensive scheme.

“The Patriots have needs at wide receiver and linebacker, but Booth’s value and the importance of the position make him an easy pick.”

Miller’s mock draft sees Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross teaming up with fellow former Tiger wideout Mike Williams with the Los Angeles Chargers, as he projects Ross to go to the Chargers in Round 5 (No. 160 overall pick).

Miller, meanwhile, projects Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich to come off the board in the sixth round to the Houston Texans with the 205th overall selection.

ESPN NFL Draft analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper released their final Big Boards for the 2022 draft class this week.

McShay has Booth ranked as the No. 27 overall prospect, while Kiper has him ranked lower at No. 39.

McShay’s final draft rankings (subscription required) slot Ross as the 150th-best prospect, while he has Goodrich ranked No. 225 and linebackers James Skalski and Baylon Spector at No. 318 and No. 355, respectively.

As for Kiper’s final draft rankings (subscription required), he has Ross ranked at No. 136 overall and Goodrich at No. 155 overall, while he pegs Skalski as the No. 25 inside linebacker, Spector as the No. 19 outside linebacker and Nolan Turner as the 28th-best safety.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

The Bills are Super Bowl contenders, but taking a cornerback in the NFL Draft could be their smartest move

Buffalo would be virtualy flawless by adding one corner.

The Bills might have the NFL’s unquestioned best team for the first time in years. Led by Josh Allen, Buffalo has a roster loaded with game-breakers, including Stefon Diggs, Von Miller, and Jordan Poyer.

Indeed, Buffalo might not have a fundamental fatal flaw. They’re a squad that, on paper, could make them a Super Bowl contender. But for as good as the Bills are, if they want to virtually guarantee a shot at the Lombardi Trophy, they should be sanding over any potential problems in the 2022 Draft. Like, say, their second cornerback — or lack thereof.

Even with the return of former All-Pro Tre’Davious White, the departure of Levi Wallace to Pittsburgh leaves the Bills in an awkward spot in their secondary. If you’re an opposing offense, why even attempt to throw at White, especially when you’re worried about his All-Pro safety teammates in Poyer and Micah Hyde, when there’s a gaping, inexperienced hole on one boundary?

Currently armed with the No. 25 overall pick, here are some potential names for Buffalo to consider who could be there late in the first:

  • Kair Elam, CB — Florida
  • Kyler Gordon, CB — Washington 
  • Roger McCreary, CB — Auburn
  • Andrew Booth Jr., CB — Clemson

Among that group,  two-year Clemson starter Andrew Booth Jr. could be Buffalo’s top man if he’s available.

One of this draft class’s top corners, Booth Jr. was a core piece for the Tigers throughout his college career. A lengthy and physical corner with excellent ball skills (five picks in the last two years), Booth Jr. is an ideal fit for Sean McDermott’s attacking zone defense.

In what I assure you isn’t a complete coincidence: Our Christian D’Andrea agreed and sent Booth Jr. to Buffalo at No. 25 overall in his final mock draft of the off-season. Great minds do think alike!

The Bills have lost potential shots at the Super Bowl over the last two years because they couldn’t stop the Chiefs and Pat Mahomes when it mattered. Even without Tyreek Hill, Kansas City isn’t going anywhere. If the Bills want to Chiefs-proof themselves — which would probably also work on the AFC’s other top quarterbacks — they’re going to need to add help at cornerback.

[mm-video type=video id=01g19xegs08eqv2pjpwa playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g19xegs08eqv2pjpwa/01g19xegs08eqv2pjpwa-165a44551e4b1891e7a9abe70a05db76.jpg]

[listicle id=1875149]

Former ACC, NFL WR says Booth’s tape tells you all you need to know

ACC Network analyst and former Virginia Tech and NFL wide receiver Eddie Royal broke down what he saw on tape from Clemson star cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. Here’s what he had to say: “Clemson DB Andrew Booth, a versatile defender. Someone who can …

ACC Network analyst and former Virginia Tech and NFL wide receiver Eddie Royal broke down what he saw on tape from Clemson star cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.

Here’s what he had to say:

“Clemson DB Andrew Booth, a versatile defender. Someone who can high point the ball, but also come up and make plays in the run game.

“Andrew Booth Jr. has everything you are looking for in a defensive back.”

Check out Royal’s breakdown of Booth below:

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Four Tigers ranked on this final NFL Draft Top 300 Big Board

CBS Sports on Tuesday published a finalized Big Board for the 2022 NFL Draft, which is set to kick off Thursday in Las Vegas and will run through Saturday. Four former Clemson standouts appear on CBS Sports’ top 300 prospect rankings for the 2022 …

CBS Sports on Tuesday published a finalized Big Board for the 2022 NFL Draft, which is set to kick off Thursday in Las Vegas and will run through Saturday.

Four former Clemson standouts appear on CBS Sports’ top 300 prospect rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft, as ranked by Chris Trapasso.

Projected first-round pick Andrew Booth Jr., a first-team All-ACC cornerback in 2021, of course comes in first on the list as the No. 11 overall player in the rankings.

“Booth has nickel cornerback twitch and explosion at quality perimeter cornerback size, and his pass-disruption radius is the size of a World Cup-caliber goaltender,” Trapasso wrote.

Both former Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross and former Tiger cornerback Mario Goodrich are ranked as Round 6 players, with Ross ranked No. 198 overall and Goodrich checking in as the No. 225 overall player on CBS Sports’ final top 300 big board.

Former Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector also cracked the list, coming in at No. 291 under the category of “Priority UFAs” — unrestricted free agents.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks