Clemson punter Bradley Pinion obviously knew something no one else did. When the junior announced he was turning professional following the Tigers’ win over Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl, everyone wondered what he was thinking.
Punters and kickers just don’t get drafted in today’s NFL. At least that is what everyone has been told. But Pinion went against conventional wisdom and it turned out to be a good move.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Pinion in the fifth round with the 165th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on Saturday. Pinion was the only punter selected in this year’s draft and one of only two specialists.