Clinton McDonald

Clinton Myles McDonald (born January 6, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL).

2005

McDonald was one of just six true freshmen to see action in 2005, playing in all 12 games for the Tigers, primarily with the special teams unit.

His first collegiate action was against Ole Miss in the season opener.

McDonald logged one tackle in six contests, including wins over Chattanooga, UTEP, Marshall and Akron, and had solo stops versus Chattanooga, Tulsa and Marshall.

2006

McDonald saw action in all 12 games as a sophomore and made 10 starts on the defensive front.

He opened the season as a starter with four tackles, three of which were solo stops, against Ole Miss.

He recorded back-to-back games of five tackles versus Chattanooga and East Carolina, tallied two stops against Tennessee and one versus UAB, registering a season-high six tackles in the Tulsa contest.

He totaled four tackles against Southern Miss and five versus Houston, recovering his first fumble against the Cougars while also being credited with a pass breakup.

McDonald scooped up the fumble forced by Corey Mills on Houston's first possession of the third quarter.

Against UTEP, he equaled his season high with six tackles, which included one and a half tackles for a loss of eight yards, and blocked a Reagan Schneider 26-yard field goal attempt that would have closed UTEP's deficit to one point heading into the locker room at the half.

2007

McDonald was selected as a permanent captain by his teammates prior to the New Orleans Bowl, becoming the only Tiger under coach Tommy West to be selected as a captain as a junior.

He was named the 2007 Memphis Defensive Co-Player of the Year at the team's postseason banquet, and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA pick in 2007.

He started all 13 games on the defensive front, extending a streak of 37 straight games played.

He led the team in tackles for loss with 9.5 for minus 31 yards, registered a team-high four sacks for minus 22 yards, and also ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 55.

McDonald opened the season with five tackles, including one for a loss against Ole Miss, sacking QB Seth Adams for a loss of four yards in the second quarter.

He logged his second career fumble recovery and had five tackles against Jacksonville State, falling on a fumble forced by Steven Turner in the fourth quarter at the Memphis 27-yard line.

He tallied four tackles in each of the next three games versus UCF, Arkansas State and Marshall.

McDonald forced his first career fumble against Middle Tennessee and had two tackles with a tackle for loss of two yards, causing MTSU's Dwight Dasher to fumble at the Memphis 41-yard line in the fourth quarter.

He was credited with a career-high 10 tackles against East Carolina and assisted on a tackle for loss.

He was named 2007 Co-Defensive Player of the Year at the team banquet, and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA pick.

2008

McDonald played in 11 of 13 games with 10 starts at defensive tackle.

He did not play against ECU and SMU because of an ankle injury suffered early in the Louisville game, ending his consecutive game playing streak at 44.

He ranked 37th nationally in sacks/game, and his four sacks against ASU tied for the highest single-game total in the NCAA FBS (Division 1) in 2008, and tied a school record, becoming the first UM player to have four sacks in a game since 1994.

He played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

McDonald also played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals.

The son of Larry and Bonnie McDonald of Jacksonville, Arkansas, McDonald grew up in a military household as both his parents served.

Clinton McDonald was a three-year letterman at Jacksonville High School, playing for Coach Johnny Watson, and was selected to the all-conference team twice while in high school.

As a senior, he was selected to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's 5-A top prospect list, was named as 5-A Outstanding Lineman, and selected to the 5-A All-State team.

McDonald also lettered in basketball and threw the shot put in track.

McDonald logged four tackles against Southern Miss with two resulting in lost yardage, including a sack for minus four yards on QB Jeremy Young, halting a potential USM touchdown early in the fourth quarter, forcing a 4th-and-12 from the Memphis 17.

He totaled two tackles with one for a loss of two yards and forced a fumble against UAB.

McDonald served as one of the team captains against SMU, garnering two tackles with a sack for a loss of six yards on QB Justin Willis in the third quarter.

McDonald led the Tigers in tackles in the New Orleans Bowl with eight, including two tackles for loss, one of which was a sack for minus eight yards.

For the season, he totaled four games of five or more tackles and logged a sack in three of the final four games.

He also was assisted by Rubio Phillips in dropping UTEP QB Jordan Palmer for a loss of seven yards on 3rd down and 14, forcing UTEP to punt.

McDonald ended the year ranked ninth on the team in tackles with 41 and was one of just two Tigers to block a kick for the season.