Post-OSU Update: Nate Clements was selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He left Ohio State after his true junior season. Clements played 12 seasons in the NFL and made a Pro Bowl following the 2004 season. He finished with 180 games (168 starts), 36 interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, and 826 tackles. (updated: Apr. 2022)

Jersey #: 20 (2000), 18 (1998-99)

Major: Undeclared (1998-00)

Weight: 190 (1999-00), 185 (1998)

2000 Media Guide: If former Ohio State All-America cornerback Antoine Winfield started writing the book on playing cornerback at 6-feet and under, Nate Clements is finishing it. A smart player and a punishing, tenacious hitter that, Jon Tenuta, OSU defensive coordinator, said “has the skills to hopefully develop into a great cornerback.” Clements resembles Winfield in more ways than simply stature. Not only is he blessed with the speed (4.3 40-yard dash) and instincts to be a smothering cornerback in pass coverage but Clements also finished second on the team in total tackles last year and led the Buckeyes in solo stops. “Nate is an excellent cover guy. He’ll be our cover corner. He has tremendous speed and athleticism – the things you need to be an outstanding cornerback. He falls in line with all the other great cornerbacks we’ve had here.” He rarely misses open-field tackles and has the strength to bring down bigger receivers and running backs behind the line (eight TFLs, tops among OSU DBs). With 12 career starts to his credit and a team-high 109 career tackles, he will be a leader in Ohio State’s young secondary. Clements underwent minor surgery on his left foot to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal Jan. 21, 2000 but was back 100 percent by spring practice.

1999: Started all 12 games at cornerback opposite All-American Ahmed Plummer … an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches … finished the season second on the team with 90 stops (trailing only All-America linebacker Na’il Diggs) and led the Buckeyes with 76 solo tackles … led all Ohio State players in minutes played (369), including 38 against Michigan State .. recorded a season- and career-high 14 tackles (9 solos) against Miami, the second most in a single game by any OSU player in 1999 … made 10 or more stops in three games: vs. Miami (14), vs. Cincinnati (11) and vs. Penn State (10) … played extensively on special teams and blocked a third-quarter field goal against Penn State.

1999 Media Guide: Watch out for Nate Clements. This true sophomore, who backed up Ahmed Plummer as a true freshman, is expected to step in and start at cornerback this season after his year of first-class tutoring in 1998. Defensive backs coach Jon Tenuta said: “Nate understands the game and knows the concepts. He has the skills to hopefully develop into a great cornerback.”

1998: Played in all 12 games, on special teams and the secondary. Had four pass break ups, the most by an OSU freshman since Shawn Springs had seven as a redshirt freshman in 1994.

1998 Media Guide: High school All-American by numerous publications … recorded seven interceptions and 14 pass break-ups as a senior … had 14 interceptions for his career and over 100 career tackles … has terrific speed … also played quarterback … of his 16 touchdowns scored as a senior, two were on kickoff returns and one off an interception … the son of Emma and Nathan Clements … born Dec. 12, 1979.