Lance Zierlein: Shea '1 1/2 Concussions' McClellin Lock for Round 1 in NFL Draft

Whispers, rumors and innuendo can be heard from all corners of the NFL draft scene when the event is this close, so it's no surprise that Boise State DE/OLB Shea McClellin had to dispel rumors about multiple concussions in college.

With all of the attention paid to head injuries, that could make him less attractive to teams despite many reports that he is rising up the board.

In an example of how this works, an NFL Network report last week alleged that McClellin had suffered three concussions at Boise State. There were no specifics, just something that might cast a cloud over his stock for a team that didn't corroborate this piece of information themselves.

Well, McClellin took it on himself to clear this up in the Idaho Statesman:

"

An NFL Network report that Boise State defensive end/outside linebacker Shea McClellin sustained three concussions at Boise State has been making the rounds on draft-tracking websites recently.

Today, McClellin told me the report is not true. He did get a concussion in 2010 at Wyoming and a mild one in 2009, he said. "It's like 1 1/2," he said.

McClellin said he changed helmets after the Wyoming concussion and never had another problem.

McClellin missed one game in 2009 with a hamstring injury and the last three games in 2008 with a knee injury. He played in the last 39 games of his career.

"

I'll take McClellin's word over any media about his concussion history during this season of lying. 

This morning, The Sideline View's NFL insider Lance Zierlein had this to say on Twitter:

"

Shea McClellin is a lock to go in the first round.Put him in the first round of your mock drafts

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 22, 2012"

A month ago, McClellin was a fast-rising sleeper. Now he's a name that even casual fans of the draft need to know, because we're likely to hear it on the first night of the draft.