Topper Clemons

Orman Wendell Clemons (born September 16, 1963) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Wake Forest University.

Topper Clemons
No. 27
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1963-09-16) September 16, 1963
Riverside Township, NJ
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Cinnaminson (NJ)
College:Wake Forest
NFL Draft:1986 / Round: 8 / Pick: 212
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:3
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Clemons attended Cinnaminson High School, where he practiced football, wrestling and track. As a senior, he was an All-South Jersey football selection at running back. He finished second in the state meet in both the 100 and 200 metres. He did not lose a regular season wrestling match.

He enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy for a year, where he averaged 100 yards rushing per game.

College career

Clemons accepted a football scholarship from Wake Forest University. As a freshman, he was a backup at running back behind Michael Ramseur. He collected 73 carries for 269 yards, 3 touchdowns, 7 receptions for 46 yards and 23 kickoff returns for 460 yards (20-yard avg.). As a sophomore, he tallied 132 carries for 562 yards, a 4-3-yard average, 6 touchdowns and 6 receptions for 64 yards.

As a junior, he became a starter at fullback, forming with Ramseur one of the best backfield duos in the ACC.[1] He posted 137 carries for 732 yards, a 5.3-yard average (fourth in school history), 2 rushing touchdowns, 15 receptions for 61 yards and one receiving touchdown. He had 182 rushing yards against the University of Richmond.

As a senior, he led the team with 164 carries for 916 yards, a 5.6-yard average (third in school history), 2 rushing touchdowns, 21 receptions for 113 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. He had 111 rushing yards against the University of Tennessee and 126 rushing yards against the University of Virginia.[2][3]

He finished his college career with 506 carries for 2,479 yards (third in school history), a 4.9-yard average, 13 rushing touchdowns, six career 100-yard games (tied for seventh in school history), 49 receptions for 284 yards, 6 receiving touchdowns and 3,123 all-purpose yards (fifth in school history).

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Clemons was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (212th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft.[4] He was waived on August 18.[5]

Philadelphia Eagles

After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16-game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Clemons was signed in October to be a part of the Philadelphia Eagles replacement team. He was a backup at running back behind Reggie Brown. In 3 games, he posted no rushing yards and one reception for a 13-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.[6] He was cut on October 20, at the end of the strike.[7]

On January 12, 1988, he was re-signed to participate in training camp.[8] He was released on August 22.[9]

References
  1. "Nothing's Lost in the Transition". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  2. "South Roundup : Tennessee Struggles Past Wake Forest, 31-29". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. "Demon Deacons' Rally Intercepted by Cavaliers". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. "HOW TO MAKE THE CUT : Don't drop the ball with coaches around (see above) : Explode at the ballcarrier, or at least hit really hard : Show speed, strength --'something, anything'". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  5. "Transactions". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  6. "PRO FOOTBALL : NFL Roundup : 40,622 See Cowboys Romp; White and Dorsett Draw Boos". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  7. "NFL Roster Moves". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  8. "Tuesday's Sports Transactions". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  9. "Tight end John Spagnola left the Philadelphia Eagles with..." Retrieved January 12, 2019.
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