Jadeveon Clowney: 10 Things We Learned About the No. 1 Recruit on Signing Day

The last time I can remember when the top overall recruit did not sign his LOI on National Signing Day was when Terrelle Pryor didn't announce his decision.

The talk was that most felt Pryor was doing it for more attention, but he maintained he just didn't know where to go yet.

Now, this year with Jadeveon Clowney, we also won't know where the top player is headed yet. But Clowney seems more genuine in the sense of he honestly doesn't know who to sign with yet, plus he doesn't like to tell people no.

With all that said, we did hear some chatter out of the big defensive end's camp and learned a few things. Come see how much more knowledgeable we are on Clowney!

10. He Never Liked Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers huddles with members of the Tigers defense during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C.

While the Tigers had an amazing final month and a great National Signing Day, we always noticed they were never in on Clowney. Alabama was, but never Auburn.

Peculiar because they both are in Alabama, not amazingly far from South Carolina, where he's from, and Auburn did win the national championship.

In an ESPNU interview, Clowney revealed that he had spoken to Cyrus Kouandjio a lot about recruiting. When asked if he ever talked Auburn with Cyrus, Clowney replied, "I told him, nah, I'm not feelin' them."

9. LSU Is Out

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers talks wthi his team during a timeout against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by

As I've always predicted, Clowney won't be signing with LSU. Sorry LSU fans, but the Tigers are out.

Clowney didn't announce his finalists officially, but he did mention the "final three" schools in the race, and the Bayou Boys are not one of the teams.

This is no slight to LSU or its fans, as I've heard the game atmosphere in Baton Rouge is flat-out electric. But Clowney will not experience that as a Tiger.

8. His Parents and Family Will Have an Impact on Decision

If you notice and really think about it, two schools in Clowney's final three are in-state, close to home schools.

This means he likely wants to stay home and near his family in the Palmetto State, who have a big influence on him. Clowney revealed that he will sit down with his parents and family members and they will help with his decision.

There are many recruits who always say, "This is my choice" or "I'm making this choice for my best interest" or "I'm making this choice alone, and alone early." But Clowney will consult his family, who undoubtedly will want him to stay close. South Carolina and Clemson have to like their chances.

7. North Carolina Is Out

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Butch Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches on against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/G

The Tar Heels had a bit of a disappointing NSD and even final home stretch for that matter.

They lost out on Savon Huggins to Rutgers, Curtis Grant chose Ohio State and Stephone Anthony bolted to join Tony Steward as a linebacker tandem at Clemson.

While Butch Davis and his staff still have a solid class headed to Chapel Hill, they also learned that Jadeveon Clowney has eliminated them from contention. This has to be disheartening for the Carolina Blue family.

6. Developed a Bond with Cyrus Kouandjio at UA Game

Much was made of the one-on-one matchups between Clowney and the nation's top offensive lineman, Cyrus Kouandjio.

Kouandjio is a 6'7", 325-pound specimen who looks sleek for a big man. He moves extremely well and has superb athletic ability to become a great left tackle.

Clowney even said that Kouandjio gave him some trouble at the Under Armour game practices and that the two have developed a bit of a bond. Kouandjio even called Clowney to discuss recruiting a few nights ago. With Clowney still out there for grabs and Big Cyrus not signed with Auburn, could the two head to Alabama?

5. He Really Does Not Know What to Do

With Kirk Herbstreit going on a tangent on-air about how most of the NSD announcements are made and handled and Urban Meyer voicing his concern over Clowney's delayed decision holding programs hostage, we see their point.

But in researching Clowney and covering him, it seems like he's a shy kid and a very nice guy off the field. He doesn't like to tell people no and let anyone down.

He actually doesn't know where he's going and even mentioned he hasn't really seriously sat down and thought about it. While we can speculate, the man himself has no idea.

4. Big Visit to FSU Was Not Enough

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles looks at the scoreboard against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streete

Clowney was on the "Do It Big" weekend visit to Florida State, when the Seminoles hosted players like Tony Steward, Aundrey Walker and Tim Jernigan.

Karlos Williams and James Wilder Jr., were there and stayed in Clowney's ear through the process. But the visit to Tallahassee was not enough, as it looks like Clowney has removed FSU from the race.

Not to worry—while Clowney won't be doing the tomahawk, FSU still finished with an elite class.

3. South Carolina and Alabama Are Confirmed Finalists...Like We Thought

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 4: Fullback Patrick DiMarco #47 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates a touchdown while teammate and wide receiver D.L. Moore #82 joins him during the 2010 SEC Championship against the Auburn Tigers at Georgia Dome on December 4,

While we have always thought that Clowney would down to a final two of Alabama and South Carolina, Clowney also has Clemson in the top three.

But the Gamecocks and Crimson Tide are both thick in it and are still under heavy consideration. Many felt that when Lateek Townsend opted for Clemson, this would surely send Clowney to Tuscaloosa.

But Clemson is in the race for Clowney, as well as assumed favorites South Carolina and Alabama.

2. Clemson Losing Chris Rumph Was Not That Severe a Blow...Unlike We Thought

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Cheerleaders of the Clemson Tigers wave their flag during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

When Clemson defensive line coach Chris Rumph left the Tigers for Alabama, the Clowney to Alabama talk only heated up to white-hot.

Rumph and Clowney are extremely, extremely close. Rumph has coached some great players, and Clowney thinks he could help his development. When Rumph left Clemson, we all thought the Tigers were done.

But credit Dabo Swinney and Kevin Steele for staying on Clowney, who now has Clemson in his final three over LSU, UNC and FSU.

1. He Won't Know Where He's Going Until a Day or Two Before His Birthday

Clowney is scheduled to announce and sign his LOI on his birthday, which is Valentine's Day. We've already said he doesn't know where he is headed yet, nor has he really sat down and thought about it.

We've also said that he will consult his parents and family. His father could have been a great player, but he got caught up in the street life and went to prison. He's now out and active in Jadeveon's life and does not want his son to make the same mistakes he did.

Clowney told ESPNU that he likely will not know where he is headed until likely the day or two before he makes his announcement. This will go down to the wire.