Playing at a position that often only rewards for flashy sacks, Merling has largely gone unheralded outside of the ACC despite ranking as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country. Blessed with great size, Merling's strength, instincts and hustle helped him achieve ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors three times in 2007 -- more than any other defender. His lack of elite burst off the edge could cause teams to consider Merling as a future defensive tackle, but what is certain is Merling is one of the better all-around defensive linemen in the draft.

Positives: Rare build for a collegiate defensive end. Looks more like a defensive tackle. … Deceptive speed off the snap to generate outside pressure. … Long arms and good strength to battle the offensive tackle and disengage. … Active hands. … Instinctive football player who reads the action quickly and pursues as well as any defensive end in this draft. … Very good size and strength to hold up at the point of attack. … Versatile athlete. … Came to Clemson as a tight end/defensive end. … Has played both the right and left end positions and may ultimately add the size to move to defensive tackle. … Has the strength, anchor, discipline and instincts to translate into a 3-4 defensive end.

Negatives: Generates speed off the edge as a pass rusher, but lacks a great first step and the explosiveness to close. … Only a marginal overall pass rusher. … Creates most of his pressure on the quarterback based on hustle and when operating at left defensive end (against the right tackle). … May be a limited athlete and is such a high-effort player that there are concerns he's maxed out.

Compares To: Anthony Weaver, Texans

Played tight end and defensive end at Fork Union in 2004 … had 38 catches for 647 yards and 5 TDs on offense … had five sacks, 51 tackles (37 solo), three forced fumbles and eight pass deflections in 2004 … named team MVP at Fork Union in 2004 … 18th-best tight end in the nation by SuperPrep and 20th best tight end by Scout.com … 25th-best prep school player in the nation by Rivals.com … 34th-best tight end in the nation by SuperPrep in 2003 … had 20 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at Cordova High School in Memphis, Tenn.

Totaled 34 tackles, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries during his senior year. . played in the Tennessee/Kentucky All-Star game … first-team all-state and All-Region in 2003 … named to All-Dixie team by SuperPrep … All-Atlantic Region selection by PrepStar … attended Calhoun High School in St. Matthews, S.C. for three years before transferring to Cordova … played for former South Carolina player Chris Rumph during his first three years in high school … Rumph played for Clemson assistant coach Brad Scott when Scott was head coach at South Carolina … named best male athlete at Calhoun High School as a junior.

Defensive MVP at Calhoun in 2002 … all-conference, all-region, and all-area in basketball as a sophomore and junior at Calhoun High School … also starred in basketball at Cordova High averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds per game through February 1 … averaged a double-double as a junior at Calhoun High, 15 points and 13 rebounds per outing … prep school teammate of fellow signees Durrell Barry, and Elsmore Gabriel at Fork Union … played for J.C. Harmon at Fork Union Military Academy in 2004 … chose Clemson over offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Memphis, and South Carolina.

Born Phillip Blaine Merling on August 19, 1985.