Hamlin eager to play in NFL

Growing up, Michael Hamlin dreamed of playing in the NBA and strived to be like Michael Jordan.

Those dreams, though, took a backseat to football once he arrived at Clemson after a productive high school career in Lamar.

Now Hamlin is just days from being taken in the NFL draft, which begins Saturday.

“I’ve watched the draft since I was in college and watched my teammates get taken, but I never put myself in the situation that I would be taken,” Hamlin said. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

While Hamlin might have had doubts of playing in the NFL, his high school coach, J.R. Boyd, saw the potential early on.

Boyd remembers a play in the Class A state championship game against Lake View during Hamlin’s freshman year in which Hamlin shielded defenders so the Silver Foxes could recover an onside kick.

“People thought I told him how to do that,” Boyd said. “But that right there was when I knew he was going to be special.

“Michael always has been an instinctive player and picks up on things quickly.”

Hamlin’s instincts, leadership and ability to make plays are what NFL scouts and analysts like most.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound safety has a knack for being around the ball. He had 14 interceptions at Clemson, including three this season against The Citadel.

Hamlin also recorded 347 tackles, most by a Tiger defensive back since Robert Carswell from 1997-2000, and was a first team All-ACC selection this season.

“He’s got good ball skills,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said during a conference call last week. “He and (teammate Chris Clemmons) will have to make a living early on special teams with an opportunity to develop as starters.”

Most NFL mock drafts have Hamlin going between the third and fifth rounds. His speed might keep him from being picked until the second day.

Hamlin ran a 4.57 40-yard dash, which he said “wasn’t his best,” at the NFL combine while other defensive backs turned in times in the 4.3s. At Hamlin’s pro day last month, he didn’t run the 40 because of a tweaked hamstring.

Despite that, Hamlin says he’s received good feedback from teams.

“They always say I play faster than what I run,” Hamlin said. “Teams know what I could do on the field.”

Hamlin, who has visited New England, Dallas, Atlanta and Oakland, doesn’t have a preference where he lands.

“I just want to hear my name as soon as possible,” said Hamlin, who plans on watching the draft with his family in Lamar. “It’s been a pretty stressful process, but I’m ready to go and find out where I’m going to play.”