Isaiah Battle first player selected in NFL Supplemental Draft since 2012

Isaiah Battle of Clemson became the first player selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft since 2012, when the St. Louis Rams selected the offensive tackle in the fifth round.

Receiver Josh Gordon was the last player selected in the special draft with a second-round pick by the Cleveland Browns.

The supplemental draft uses a bidding-style format with teams submitting the names of players and which round of the draft they’d draft them into the league. The pick then goes to the highest bidder, which then gives up the corresponding pick in the next draft.

Battle, a 6-foot-6, 312-pound lineman, appeared in 27 games with 15 career starts for the Tigers over three years. He announced his decision to become available for the supplemental draft in late June, citing personal reasons.

“I have some family matters to address, with a child due this summer, and I feel it is in my best interest to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft,” Battle said in a statement.

Battle was suspended twice at Clemson, once in 2013 for punching a North Carolina player during a game and again in last season for an unspecified violation of team rules. He was also cited by Clemson City police for speeding and possession of marijuana on June 11 prior to declaring for the draft.

Despite his history, Battle drew 26 teams to his pro day where he clocked 40-yard dash times of 5.29 and 5.21; his best time would have made him the 16th fastest at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Battle will still have to earn a spot on the Rams roster, which includes four other rookie offensive lineman who were selected in the 2015 draft.

The other six players who were eligible but not taken in the supplemental draft, defensive ends Darrius Caldwell of West Virginia, Eric Eiland of Houston, defensive tackle Dalvon Stucky of West Georgia, defensive back Kevin Short of Kansas, tight end Sean McQuillan of Connecticut and receiver Adrian Wilkins of North Carolina Central, will all become free agents.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme