Jadeveon Clowney

OLB, DE · South Carolina
Clowney was the consensus top recruit in the country coming out of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He racked up 162 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries for Rock Pointe high school. He chose the Gamecocks over Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Florida State, along with interest from many other of the top programs in the country. As a true freshman, Clowney was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the league's coaches after being credited with 36 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and six quarterback hurries while seeing action in all 13 games. Clowney exploded onto the national scene in 2012, finishing sixth in the Heisman balloting after setting the school single-season record with 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He became the first sophomore to win the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end, and was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award and Bednarik Awards. Unlike most collegiate pass rushers, Clowney owns a complete game, based on spectacular athleticism and refined technique. He complements his speed rush with a terrific interior move and has the strength, toughness and vision to star against the run, as well. Clowney struggled to match his stellar production of 2012, but his value lies in his ability to impact the play-calling and personnel opponents use with him on the field. Remarkably gifted athletically and offering better technique than many give him credit for, Clowney appears destined to contend for sack titles early in his NFL career.