2015 NFL Draft Interview: TE Clive Walford

Clive Walford – TE (Miami)

Measurables:  Hgt:  6’4”

Wgt:  251lbs.

Hand:  10 1/4”

Arm:  34”

PROFILE:  Was a standout basketball player at Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida. Didn’t play football until his senior year of high school. During his senior year at Miami he had 676 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 44 receptions. In 2014, he was named third-team AP All-American, second-team All-ACC and was a Mackey Award finalist. Suffered a knee injury in the Hurricanes final regular season game against Pitt and underwent surgery. Was selected to play in the 2015 Senior Bowl, and to the surprise of many, he fully participated.

On what it means to him to have been invited to play in the Senior Bowl

Means a lot. Reminds me of AAU basketball, being around a lot of great players. Feel very fortunate to be around these players and to have my name called as well. 

On whether there was any question about accepting the invite to play in the Senior Bowl

No question at all. When Phil Savage (Executive Director of the Senior Bowl) gave the invite, I knew right away that I was coming. The only question was if I was healthy enough, and I am. I’m 100% healthy.

On what two things he really wanted to showcase to the scouts at the Senior Bowl

Well, the main thing is to show them that I’m healthy. A lot of people thought that I tore my MCL, which I didn’t. I had a minor meniscus and they just cleaned it out with a scope. And the second thing would be that I am an all-around tight end. I can run, catch the ball, pass block, whatever.

On coming from a big-time program with a rich history of turning out NFL players and the advice he has received from any former Hurricanes about the whole draft process

Just to go hard, man. No matter what the play is, just lay it on the line. When you’re out there, just give it your all. 

On the fact that tight ends in the NFL now are asked to be versatile – playing H-Back, pass catching, run blocking, pass protecting – and how he can go about showcasing that he has that versatility

That’s a very good question. You know, the way the Senior Bowl is set up – like today in practice we actually did a lot of blocking and pass blocking. A lot of scouts were out here today and I’m pretty sure they was watching.  And tomorrow is set up for a lot of passing.  So I can showcase myself that way. And the film that I laid during the season – pretty much shows a lot of my blocking and pass catching. The Virginia Tech game for instance, I blocked the whole game.

On the fact that Miami has a good history of producing NFL tight ends and what it is like being the next one up

It’s very filling.  That’s part of the reason why I went to the University of Miami anyways. To be a part of that great legacy. 

On what it is like working with an NFL coaching staff at the Senior Bowl and what it the best advice he’s gotten from them

The best piece of advice I got is to go 100 miles per hour. IF you’re doing something right or if you are doing it wrong, as long as you are doing it 100 miles an hour, you can be coachable. And that’s something that I took and that stuck with me.

On the best competition that he went against in college, either on his own team in practice or on another team

The University of Florida’s defense, their front seven, was tremendous. They had a lot of high class and high rated players on that defense. It was a hard-fought game to the very end. I commend their defense.

On what it is like chasing that dream knowing that every day it is a battle for draft position

It’s fun. You get the chance and the ability to be with so many great guys, man. Just to be amongst those guys motivates you to go even harder. Just to show those guys what you are capable of doing.