Former Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd was a relative unknown in his first three seasons with the Tigers, compiling 21 tackles in 24 games as a reserve.
Then last season happened.
The 6-foot-5, 277-pounder from Taylors, S.C., became visible to everyone, racking up 62 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks for a team that won its first 14 games before losing a 45-40 thriller to Alabama in the national championship game.
Late last month, Dodd benefited from his meteoric rise when he was selected as an outside linebacker by the Tennessee Titans with the second pick in the second round of the NFL draft. He was a guest this week on "Press Row" on Chattanooga's ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: When did it first hit you that you're in the NFL?
A: "The first day I got to Tennessee, which was last week. We all came here as a group to minicamp, and it was like, 'I'm really a rookie.'"
Q: How frustrating was it being in Chicago but not being picked until the second round?
A: "It was a long night that first night sitting in the green room. I was disappointed having to wait until the second day, because I expected to go in the first round, but I'm blessed to have ended up going somewhere that's close to home. It worked out for the best."
Q: Will learning from legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau be exciting or intimidating for you?
A: "It's exciting watching the way he breaks things down and helps you out with the different defenses. It's cool to know that he started things like the fire zone (blitz), so it's going to be cool."
Q: How complex is that 3-4 defense, and will it be tough dropping into coverages?
A: "It's kind of like Clemson, but it is a little bit more complex with the different coverages that they have put in. At Clemson, it was more of a spy drop or a drop into a zone, but here with the Titans I am learning a lot of new drops."
Q: How often do you think about the title game against Alabama and how close you guys came?
A: "Of course I'm having to live with Derrick Henry - I think about it a lot and how we had the opportunity to play for it all and how we came up just short. It was very disappointing, but that's what you want to play for. You want to play for the national championship and in the Super Bowl.
"Hopefully, I'll be here for a Super Bowl run."
Q: You leave a program that was 14-1 and join one that went 3-13. Will that be a tough adjustment?
A: "Clemson was kind of rebuilding before I got there. You've just got to buy into the head coach and go to work. I know this program is rebuilding, but it's on the rise, and we will get there eventually. I'm ready to contribute."
Q: Is there a Titans player who has taken you under his wing?
A: "A guy I will look up to is (outside linebacker Brian) Orakpo, of course. All the linebackers here have been helpful."
Q: Clemson had a lot of guys drafted but is picked really high. Can the Tigers be just as strong this year?
A: "Clemson is still going to be Clemson, and they're going to come ready to play. We faced a lot of questions a couple of years ago, but we are really deep with the recruiting classes we've had. We will have a lot of new faces who will be really good and ready to contribute."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6524.