Tiger Pros News & Notes

Check out our latest Monday morning feature updating Clemson fans on former Tigers in the NFL!

WHITEHURST'S NFL CAREER UNDERWAY

Former Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst made his debut in the NFL's preseason last week.

A third round pick of the Chargers in this past April's draft, Whitehurst completed 6-of-12 passes for 50 yards in a 17-3 win over Green Bay on Aug. 12.

Whitehurst also saw significant action in the Chargers' 24-3 loss to the Bears. After starting quarterback Philip Rivers left the game midway through the second quarter, Whitehurst completed 11-of-19 passes for 97 yards. He also threw an interception.

The former Clemson signal caller continues to battle NFL veteran A.J. Feely for the back up spot behind Rivers.

YOUNGBLOOD TRYING TO CATCH ON

Former Clemson wide out Kevin Youngblood continues to try and "catch on" with the Atlanta Falcons.

Youngblood caught a pass for 11 yards in a 38-10 loss to Green Bay Saturday night. He also led the Falcons with three catches for 23 yards in a 26-23 win over the Patriots the week before.

While Youngblood has yet to play in a regular season game in the National Football League, he has spent time with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Falcons since his last game at Clemson in 2003. In fact, he spent the final four games of the 2005 season on the Falcons practice squad.

FUDGE STARTS WITH A BANG

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all Clemson's undrafted free agents in the first week of the preseason was the performance of Jamaal Fudge.

Fudge recorded eight tackles, three assists and a sack in the Jaguars preseason opener against the Dolphins.

The Jaguars believe Fudge may be too short to play strong safety, but he could have a chance to play free safety if he continues to play well.

“He has developed extremely quick,” Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith said of Fudge. “He can be a safety and a special teams player. He definitely got the attention of a lot of people. He was knocking people back when he was tackling the backs and tight ends.”

For more on Fudge's chances of making the 53-man regular season roster in Jacksonville, checkout Jaguars.com.

In his second game against the Panthers Saturday night, Fudge recorded one tackle.

GARDOCKI STILL KICKING

It's hard to believe but former Clemson kicker/punter Chris Gardocki is still playing professional football, but he is.

Gardocki is entering his 17th year in the league and continues to do well this preseason, drilling two punts for 42 and 46 yards respectively in a 17-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Interestingly enough, Gardocki, who has never had a punt blocked in 1,112 attemps, could find himself in a real battle this year to make the team as he carries a cap value of $1.3 million.

His competition, Mike Barr punted three times for a 38.7 yard average in the loss to Minnesota.