| Height: | 6'3 |
| Weight: | 243 |
| Position: | LB |
| College: | Syracuse |
| Professional Teams: | Chicago Rush, Philadelphia Soul, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins |
Current: Clifton is currently signed with the Chicago Rush for the 2010 season.
Professional Bio:
As a professional football player, Clifton has been able to play professionally in various leagues during his career. Clifton’s first break came with the Washington Redskins in 2003. There he complimented a linebacker corps that included Jessie Armstead, LaVar Arrington, and Jeremiah Trotter. Clifton spent two seasons with the Redskins and then joined the Cleveland Browns roster in 2005. Clifton stayed another two years with the Browns and then was allocated to NFL Europe by the Browns to play with the Cologne Centurions in 2007. With the Centurions, he recorded a league high three interceptions to go along with thirty eight (38) tackles for the 2007 NFL Europe season. In 2008, Clifton joined the Arena Football League with the Philadelphia Soul. He recorded forty five (45) total tackles (33 solo), one interception and one sack. He also starred as the Soul’s fullback scoring ten rushing touchdowns for the 2008 season.
College Bio:
Upon entering Syracuse University, Clifton already possessed many accolades for his defensive play at linebacker. In high school, he was named as the eleventh rated linebacker in Prep Star’s Top 100 Dream Team. Clifton was also rated the eleventh best linebacker prospect in the nation by Super Prep and was also named Gridiron Greats top nine linebackers in the nation. Clifton also was named a Reebok All-American and was named Player of the Year in New York by USA Today, Gatorade, and New York State Sportswriters. At Syracuse, the accolades continued for Clifton. He played in all eleven of the games at Syracuse and starting eight of those as a true freshman, as a result of his play, he was named first team Freshman All-American by the Sporting News. As a sophomore, Clifton earned All Big East and All ECAC first team honors. Clifton’s junior year brought more of the same for Clifton as he again earned All Big East and All ECAC first team honors in addition to being named the Insight.com Bowl’s Defensive Most Valuable Player. In his final season at Syracuse, Clifton recorded eighty nine (89) solo tackles with 48 assists for a total of one hundred thirty seven (137). He finished his college career at Syracuse ranking fifth in school history with four hundred five total tackles, third for tackles for loss with thirty six, and sixth all time at Syracuse for total tackles with two hundred forty four (244).
