5-Star Recruit Jadeveon Clowney: Is Alabama Playing Itself Out Of The Running?

The hunt for the No. 1 prospect of the 2011 recruiting class looked like a two-horse race for months, but after Jadeveon Clowney's trip to South Carolina last weekend it's becoming clearer that the Gamecocks lead this race by a few lengths.

After previously listing Alabama and South Carolina as his favorites, Clowney made it clear that the Gamecocks are his top choice. 

"I like South Carolina now. They are pretty good. I have official visits scheduled to Alabama and LSU. I plan to go see Florida State," Clowney said to reporters after his visit to Colombia. 

Clowney is a native of South Carolina and while Alabama has long been a team pegged by the media, the in-state school has done it's part to sway Clowney toward remaining at home. 

Beating Alabama while Clowney watched from the sideline on October 9 was a good start. 

"I thought it was the best I've ever seen them play," the five-star defender told GamecockCentral.com at his school. "Especially against the number one team in the nation. It swayed my thoughts a lot," he said. "I've been leaning towards them, but I still like Alabama a lot."

One loss certainly doesn't define a program, but a second may. 

After LSU handed Alabama it's second loss of the season, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Clowney has added the Tigers to his list. 

In October Clowney mentioned South Carolina, Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State as possibilities for official visits, but up until Saturday LSU wasn't part of the equation. 

That has us wondering something.

Is Alabama playing itself out of the running for Clowney's commitment?

At 6'5", 225 lbs, Clowney is an athletic freak and a playmaker in every sense of the word. Every school in the nation would love to add him and there's little denying that he would be an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in Alabama's 3-4 defense.

But with losses to South Carolina and LSU, with Auburn still to be played, the Crimson Tide have lost their unbeatable aura they came into the season with.

11 weeks into this college football season its clear that this just isn't the same Alabama team that won the national championship a year ago.

With South Carolina's strong pipeline at South Pointe and and the team's unexpected success this season, Alabama simply couldn't afford to struggle this season; especially not to conference opponents. 

Is Clowney a lock for South Carolina?

Far from it, he plans on waiting until national signing day to commit, but you can bet Alabama is slipping in this one and another loss could very well seal the deal.