Phillip Merling
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Career Summary
Phillip Merling was a Clemson defensive end who played six NFL seasons.
Merling played defensive end at Clemson before Miami selected him in the 2008 NFL Draft. NFL statistics list 53 regular-season games with Miami, Green Bay and Washington.
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Early Life
Merling returned to South Carolina to attend Clemson after a well-traveled prep career.
NFL draft coverage described Merling as a well-traveled prep player who returned home before enrolling at Clemson. He attended Calhoun County High School and later Fork Union Military Academy to improve his academic standing.
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High School
Merling played at Calhoun County High School before attending Fork Union Military Academy.
Merling played at Calhoun County High School, where Clemson defensive-line coach Chris Rumpf also coached him. At Fork Union Military Academy, he earned team MVP honors after producing as a receiver and defender.
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College Career
Merling starred at Clemson, posting 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior.
Merling played three seasons at Clemson and started every game as a junior. In 2007, he led Clemson with 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks while finishing first among defensive linemen with 78 tackles.
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Path to the NFL
The Dolphins selected Merling with the first pick of the second round in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Miami selected Merling 32nd overall, the first pick of the second round, in the 2008 NFL Draft.
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NFL Career
Merling played 53 NFL games and recorded 70 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight passes defended and an interception touchdown.
NFL statistics credit Merling with 70 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight passes defended and one interception returned for a touchdown. He played for Miami from 2008 through 2011, then appeared for Green Bay in 2012 and Washington in 2013.
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Career Accomplishments
Merling was an honorable mention All-American and three-time ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2007.
Pro Football Weekly named Merling an honorable mention All-American in 2007. Clemson reported that he earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week three times, more than any other ACC player that season.
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Playing Style
Merling was a disruptive defensive end who paired line-of-scrimmage production with pressure on quarterbacks.
At Clemson, Merling produced tackles for loss, sacks, quarterback pressures and forced fumbles. NFL draft coverage also recorded his freshman output of two sacks, four tackles for loss and four quarterback pressures.
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Legacy
Merling remained involved with Clemson through the Tigers for Life program.
Clemson listed Merling among former players involved in its Tigers for Life program, which promotes former players' involvement in day-to-day program operations.
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Sources for this section
21957, 00-0026172, 1985-04-19, Phillip Merling, Phillip, Merling
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