Jadeveon Clowney: Why Alabama May Be the New Home for the No. 1 Recruit

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) For weeks the buzz has been that the nation's number one recruit has narrowed his massive choices down to just two, Alabama and South Carolina. Alabama will be the choice because Clowney has narrowed down the pick between his heart and his head.

As a South Carolina native, his heart of course is his home. Lots of young men want to be near home, family, and familiarity—it's only normal.

But when it comes to the choices he must make as a man, the realization of what's best long term will sink in and that's why he'll choose Alabama.

Though he would be a star at any other school, he'll be a superstar at Alabama, and the reasons that he'll succeed at Alabama are reasons South Carolina just can't match.

1. Championships

Every player wants to experience championships and nothing gets you more national exposure than playing in them. Rolando McClain took his starring role on that killer defense and is turning it into one of the biggest contracts in the NFL for a linebacker.

When the NFL looks for future champions, it's easier to see them when they're on a championship team, and, to be honest, Spurrier will never play for a championship at South Carolina—they won't even come close to an SEC Championship.

You're either a champion, or you're not.

2. Supporting Cast

You need to have other studs around you to be part of a killer defense. The better the defense looks, the better you look, and South Carolina won't have the support around him that Alabama can offer.

With or without Clowney, Alabama will have one of the nation's top defenses. At South Carolina, Clowney could have to come up with excuses on why his team can't compete with the top competition and can't win the big ones.

South Carolina's record could leave him looking just so so like the rest of the team. In the end, winners win games and with this supporting cast at Alabama, he'll win them.

3. Coaching

Ellis Johnson at South Carolina is a fine coach, but he was one that Alabama cast off. The pedigree of college to NFL is being deepened each successive year at Alabama.

Having Nick Saban on your resume means an awful lot to coaches in the NFL right now. They know you have just been through four years of the closest thing you'll have to an NFL team experience. They know you have focus, discipline, and excellent technique that puts you ahead of prospects from other schools.

Kirby Smart is acknowledged as one of the brightest young coordinators in America, and  linebacker coach Sal Sunseri has a long career in the NFL coaching defensive players. He knows how to prepare young men to become NFL prospects.

4. The Spotlight

Let's face it, Clowney enjoys the spotlight, and as the nation's number one recruit, he's earned his place in that spotlight.

Is he now willing to give that up to go to South Carolina? Comparing the times that South Carolina will have national exposure to Alabama is like comparing crowds at a garage band to a Rolling Stones concert.

South Carolina, though a fine school, is like going into national exile. At Alabama, you are one of the national rock stars of college football. You are known in just South Carolina, but the entire nation.

You can't take your family and friends to all the games even if you pick South Carolina, but at Alabama, they'll be able to see them, no matter where in the country they are.

5. The Facilities

Everybody wants to have a nice home, and the facilities at Tuscaloosa simply beat out South Carolina.

Living and working conditions at Alabama are simply among the best in the country right now.

And there you have it, these reasons show why Nick Saban could land any player he goes after hard enough.

It is one thing to think with your emotions and want to stay home, but when the time comes to do what's smart and make the tough decisions that men make, you also have to go with your head.

In the end, Clowney will show that his head is "in the game" and he will pick Alabama, and that decision too will show the NFL that he is a thinking man as well as a great prospect.