Tag: Clayton White

College coach explains excitement for underrated Patriots rookie CB

Don’t count this rookie out

The New England Patriots only made one defensive pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and it was an intriguing one with former South Carolina cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr.

Dial had 36 tackles and a forced fumble last season. Those numbers were down from his 2022 campaign, when he totaled 45 tackles, 12 pass deflections and three interceptions. All in all, he was a key contributor for the South Carolina defense.

The Patriots defense is coming into the 2023 season ranked as one of the best in football. Dial will undoubtedly have to fight for his spot on defense, particularly in a secondary headlined by 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez.

South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White isn’t betting against him.

“He has the size, strength and speed to play at that level,” said White, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “But more importantly, I think he brings the intangibles and the will. He’s a great locker room guy, great team player and great special teams player, too.”

Versatility is something the Patriots have always valued in their players. For that reason, it will be interesting to see where Dial fits on the roster.

His intangibles, most notably his special teams contributions, could help him stand out in a crowded defensive room at training camp.

Ex-Giant Clayton White hired as South Carolina’s defensive coordinator

South Carolina has hired former New York Giants linebacker Clayton White as their new defensive coordinator.

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Former New York Giants linebacker Clayton White has been named to Shane Beamer’s staff at South Carolina as the defensive coordinator. White comes to Columbia after holding the same position for four seasons at Western Kentucky.

White, 43, played two seasons for the Giants from 2001-2002. In 2001 White, an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, played all 16 games for Big Blue mainly as a special teamer making nine tackles (eight solo). In 2002, he injured his knee in the spring workouts and missed the season. He signed with Tampa in 2003 but was cut in training camp, ending his NFL career.

From 2003 on, White has been working steadily as an assistant coach in the college ranks with stops at Western Michigan, Stanford, UConn and North Carolina State. At Stanford, White coached future NFL star Richard Sherman.

“I’ve had my eye on Clayton for a long time,” Beamer said in a statement, via The State. “He was a great player in college and had some time in the NFL. He’s been part of good programs and has a high level of success, most recently at Western Kentucky. He’s from North Carolina and has a lot of ties to the region. He had some opportunities to go elsewhere, but he wants to be at South Carolina and we’re happy to have him.”

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