USF's McClain selected in 3d round of NFL Draft

University of South Florida DT Terrell McClain was selected 65th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
He becomes the Bulls ninth NFL Draft pick over the last three years and 17^th overall in the program's 14-year history. In addition, McClain is the seventh Bull to be selected in the first three rounds.
"I'm really excited to go to Carolina," said McClain. "I've got family in Charlotte, Virginia and obviously here in Florida, so the location is perfect. I had a great time there when we played in the bowl game at the end of last season. This is a dream come true and I can't wait to get my career started."
With the selection, McClain becomes the third Bulls' defensive lineman to be selected in the last two NFL Drafts, which is the most of any FBS program in Florida, and the fourth defensive lineman overall.
Last season, Jason Pierre-Paul was taken in the first round with the 15^th pick overall by the New York Giants and George Selvie was a seventh-round selection by the St. Louis Rams. In addition, Shurron Pierson was drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 2003.

"Terrell is an athletic player, who uses a combination of quickness and strength," said USF head coach Skip Holtz. "He's got so many positive attributes. He's a great young man with solid character. I think he is the complete package."

McClain played in 50 games over his four-year career at USF, starting 33. He finished with 89 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 17 TFL, 10 pressures, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. In 2010, he anchored a USF defense that finished the season ranked 17th nationally in total defense (317.9 ypg), 22nd in scoring defense (20.0 ppg) and 22nd in rushing defense (125.6 ypg). He posted 24 tackles, three sacks, 4.5 TFL and five pressures en route to first-team All-BIG EAST honors.

"Terrell is a great player, but even better person and it makes him very easy to coach," defensive tackles coach Kevin Patrick said. "He has the nickname 'Dancing Bear' for a reason. He's a 300-pound guy that has the feet of a linebacker or almost a defensive back. He's very explosive and has developed a great understanding of the game. He'll be a great asset for the Panthers."