The Bengals got some help for the offensive line on Friday when selecting former Clemson left tackle Jackson Carman in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Here are five things to know about the newest Bengals blocker.
Welcome Home
Carman is a local player from nearby Fairfield, Ohio. Carman was a finalist for both the Anthony Munoz National Offensive Lineman of the Year award and the USA Today Offensive Player of the Year award as a senior at Fairfield Senior High School.
Recruiting Frenzy
Carman signed with Clemson in December 2017 finishing one of the most publicized recruiting journeys sifting through more than 40 scholarship offers. He was ranked the nation's No. 1 offensive lineman by the 247 Sports Composite rankings and the No. 1-ranked player in Ohio regardless of position.
Better And Better
At Clemson Carman enrolled early and played in 13 games as a backup left tackle for the national champions in 2018. He was elevated to the starting lineup as a sophomore and started all 15 games, earning third-team All-ACC honors for his play. Carman then improved to second-team All-ACC after starting all 12 games at left tackle.
Presented by Tide, the Bengals select OL Jackson Carman in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. See some of the top pictures of the Bengals second round selection from Clemson.
Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) celebrates with teammate Travis Etienne (9) after Etienne's touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson's Jackson Carman (79) congratulates Adam Choice after Choice scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson won 38-7. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney greets Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) back to the sideline during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Clemson defeated South Carolina 38-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Clemson Tigers offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) stands on the field before the pro day event, Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Clemson, S.C. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman (79) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri).
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass with blocking help from Jackson Carman (79) and Matt Bockhorst during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wofford Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Remaking The History Books
Carman is the highest Clemson offensive lineman drafted in quite some time. Joe Bostic of the Tigers was overall pick No. 64, a third-rounder, to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979. Only two other Clemson offensive linemen went higher than that. Dave Thompson was No. 30, first pick of the second round, to the Detroit Lions in 1971. Harold Olson was pick No. 13, also first pick in the second round, in 1960 by the Cardinals, a decade before the NFL/AFL merger, when there were only a dozen teams.
Tee Time
On day one of the draft, the Bengals reunited LSU teammates quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. In round two, the Bengals played the reunion game again with Carman and his former Clemson teammate, Tee Higgins. Higgins and Carman in 2019 as full time starters led Clemson to the national championship where they fell to Burrow, Chase and the LSU Tigers.
