Former Ohio State Cornerback Signs With The Buffalo Bills – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 30, 2001
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) – Cornerback Nate Clements, the Buffalo Bills’ first-round draft pick, signed a contract Friday after missing the first two days of training camp.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it was expected to be close to the five-year, $6.2 million deal cornerback William Allen received from the New York Giants on Thursday.
Allen was selected 22nd overall in the April draft, one pick after Clements.
Clements was scheduled to arrive at the Bills’ camp outside of Rochester, N.Y., on Friday evening, and begin practicing with the team Saturday morning. He was the last of Buffalo’s 12 draft picks to sign.
Bills president Tom Donahoe was not available for comment.
Clements was considered by some to be the best cover cornerback in the draft after a strong career at Ohio State. A two-year starter with the Buckeyes, Clements was first-team All-Big Ten last season after finishing second on the team with 60 solo tackles and four interceptions.
Also a dangerous punt returner, Clements averaged 13.2 yards per return last year, including an 83-yard touchdown.
In his freshman season, Clements played behind Antoine Winfield, Buffalo’s starting left cornerback.
With the Bills lacking depth at cornerback, Clements is expected to compete with returning veteran Ken Irvin on the right side.
