Jadeveon Clowney Announcement: Who Has the Edge Between South Carolina & Clemson
Jadeveon Clowney, the nation's No.1 recruit will make his announcement on Monday, on SportsCenter. The word is Alabama is just about out of the race, and he is down to South Carolina and Clemson.
Distance and staying close to home seems to be the big factor in Clowney's thought process, evidenced by the Tigers and Gamecocks being the leaders. Alabama surely has not give up and will make big push for him before he signs.
But this looks like a stand off between the Palmetto State schools in Clemson and South Carolina. Let's take a look at a couple categories and see who has an edge.
Playing Time
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With South Carolina, Clowney likely has an almost certain starting spot waiting for him. The defensive ends on the roster for 2011 are rather young, raw and lack experience. Clowney would fit this mold too, but he's a talent that is superior to what the Gamecocks have right now.
If he goes to South Carolina, I'd be shocked if he is not an opening game starter. If not then, within the first few weeks of the early season he should be firmly entrenched with the first group.
At Clemson, Clowney would be looked at to be the next Da'Quan Bowers. Yet Andre Branch, Kourtnei Brown and Malliciah Goodman all compare to Clowney's size and all will be either a senior or junior. As talented Clowney is as a player these three have more collegiate experience than he does.
He could start at one of the end spots, as the Tigers do throw multiple rushers at you through a game. But if he wants an every down role guaranteed as true freshman, it won't be as a Tiger.
Edge: South Carolina
Defensive Line Make Up
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Both schools employ 40 fronts as their base defenses with South Carolina being a 4-2-5 defense and Clemson beings a 4-3.
Clowney would be able to fulfill his traditional role as a 40 front strong side end, where he can stop the run on the first two downs and use his burst and speed to rush upfield on third downs. He really can't go wrong with either school here in general senses.
This decision would really have to come down to him having personal talks with each school's coaching staff about the little nuances they ask their ends to do and be responsible for executing. This is just really a specific preference decision.
Edge: Push
Overall Defensive Scheme
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Clemson has the traditional 4-3 scheme that Clowney likes and South Carolina has a 4-2-5 type of scheme.
The Gamecocks don't play a nickel personnel, as the fifth guy on the backline is more of a "rover" or what they call a "spur" player that is a hybrid outside linebacker/strong safety type. The back end of the defenses with either team don't really affect Clowney.
He'll be allowed to play as a 40 front end in either defense. Sometimes Clemson makes one of it's ends stand up as a bandit player where they rush standing up or drop off in coverage. Ricky Sapp filled this role a few years back, but Kevin Steele really hasn't used it too much.
Both schemes allow him to utilize his complete skill set and accent his strengths, which is all Clowney wants to do.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Secondary Support
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A pass rush can hide a bad secondary and a bad secondary can hide a good pass rush. As good as Clowney is, he won't get every sack or make every pressure, but having a secondary that gives him an extra micro second or two to get to the passer is a help.
Stephen Gilmore for South Carolina is looked at as a rising star and can match up with any receiver in the SEC. Clemson loses two corners and a safety out its secondary from last year. The Tigers will be young on the back end and vulnerable to the pass.
Although Clemson's young defensive backs are very, very talented, none standout like Gilmore. Having a corner who takes away a side of the field helps all other 10 players. Including Clowney.
Edge: South Carolina
Coaching Staff
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Lorenzo Ward runs the defense at South Carolina and Kevin Steele at Clemson. Both of these defensive coordinators are among the best and smartest in the business.
Clemson is known for developing defensive linemen and defensive line coach Marion Hobby has told Clowney he will make him better than Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers is expected to be a top five draft pick in a few months. Clowney's mother has told him she thinks the best coach for him is Dabo Swnney.
But if you look at the overall big picture of coaching, Steve Spurrier easily trumps Swinney. Swinney is a rising star, but Spurrier has been there and done that to all what Swinney is trying to do. Playing for a coach who knows how to win, has done it before and is confident in himself goes a long way.
Edge: South Carolina
Facilities
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Williams-Brice Stadium, home to South Carolina is one of the top home fields in the south. The Gamecocks are in talks to upgrade their facilities and already have poured over $30 million into upgrades of sports complexes over the last recent years.
But Clemson has recently announced a $50 million plan to improve facilities in the next five years. They have already poured $120 million in sports complexes in just the past 10 years. An indoor facility will be built, the infamous WestZone project will be finalized as a $15.3 million, four story shrine to Tiger football.
Many players marvel at the facilities at Clemson, and after they complete their new upgrades, players will be in awe of Death Valley.
Edge: Clemson
Fanbase & Location
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This is Clemson vs. Columbia. Both fan bases are passionate, fierce, loyal and die hard enthusiasts. Both stadiums sell out routinely and pack home games to capacity.
Saturday nights in Death Valley are magical experiences from what I've been told as you see a sea of orange and purple fans who's energy level is tremendous. Gamecock fans always want their respect and have a chip on their shoulder as they feel they are on after thought in the SEC, and always give their squad a boost.
Location wise, each city is as gorgeous as one can be in the south. Tony Steward came back from his visit saying Clemson looked beautiful in the middle of January. When a Florida guy, comes back from a snow filled college town and says it still looked cool, and signs, that's saying something.
Edge: Clemson
National Exposure
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Both schools are regularly seen on ESPN Saturday night games. Clowney really can't go wrong here in either choice.
Maybe South Carolina gets a bit more exposure on a national level since they have a bigger name at head coach, maybe they don't. But from this perspective, this choice is a toss up. Clowney could decide just by conference membership in the SEC that gives the Gamecocks an edge here as the SEC is always subject to features. But Clemson gets its share of exposure as well due to being one of the flagship programs from the ACC.
Edge: Push
2011 Recruiting Class
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South Carolina signed a top 25 type recruiting class that includes players like Brandon Shell, Phil Dukes, Damiere Byrd and Sheldon Royster. Hats off to the Gamecocks.
But you can't argue with signing four five-star recruits like what Clemson did. Tony Steward, Mike Bellamy, Stephone Anthony and Sammy Watkins are four the top 30 players in America and then there's Charone Peake, Cortez Davis and Corey Crawford. Wow.
This is not even that close.
Edge: Clemson
Overall Edge
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Wow. This is a tough choice to give a nod to. Two fabulous programs with great fan bases, education programs, coaching staffs, atmospheres, campus locations, close distances and facilities. Clemson with such a strong recruiting class, maybe will have a more talented roster down the line but that's debatable.
An interesting nugget here is that Clowney's grandmother has told him her dream is to see him sacking quarterbacks as a Gamecock, which reportedly has been a huge role in Clowney's thinking. But he has recently said that Clemson has a family atmosphere that he likes and even said that at one point he thought "Clemson is the place to be". It also seems his mother thinks Clemson is the best place for him.
Edge: Clemson
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
