No. 1 Overall Recruit Jadeveon Clowney: Will He Follow Lateek Townsend To USC?

Many times during the recruiting process, you'll hear the term "package deal"—indicating that two recruits are likely to end up at that same school. There are also other times when two recruits befriend one another and bond during the process.

In this case, Marlboro County outside linebacker Lateek Townsend and South Pointe defensive Jadeveon Clowney, the national top overall recruit, have grown to become very close friends.

Townsend is slated to play in the U.S. Army All-American game this Saturday and expected to make an announcement on where he will be playing college football. Clowney is coming off an impressive performance in the Under Armour All-American game on Wednesday.

Both players list South Carolina in the top tier of their favorite schools, and while there is much speculation on Clowney's affection for Alabama defensive line coach Chris Rumph, Clowney's friendship with Townsend is also a heavy factor.

The friendship came to the forefront all week during the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, where the two hit it off on the field. Townsend even stated that he and Clowney feel an absolute trust and comfort level when playing with one another.

In regard to the Gamecocks, Townsend has long been considered a heavy South Carolina lean, and Clowney wasn't the only player with whom he spoke. According to Rivals.com, Townsend claimed: "All of us recruits talked a lot. We got real deep and we connected. I feel comfortable since all those players committed to South Carolina, I feel like, man, if I was to go there it could be a dynasty there.

If all of us go down there it would be awesome.It was a wonderful experience with those guys and just being able to be around those guys. We could room together so we're really tight."

Townsend, whose athleticism, speed, and lateral quickness likely project him to becoming a Will outside linebacker, sounds like a player who could be in line to officially declare his commitment to South Carolina.

The eyes of the entire fan bases and coaching staffs of Alabama and South Carolina will be on Townsend come Saturday afternoon, as his expected announcement on his future may be a key indicator to where Clowney could go.

Alabama fans likely would love to see Townsend spurn South Carolina and go elsewhere, as this would open the door wider for Clowney to trek to Tuscaloosa.

Gamecock fans are looking at the announcement as killing two birds with one stone: Townsend's announced pledge to stay home would be more than welcomed as well as a boost in their chances for Clowney to follow him.

While the two have stopped short of using the term "package deal", one has assume that they both seriously aspire to play together in college.

With South Carolina being the clear cut favorite and widely assumed landing spot for Townsend, Clowney—regarded as one of the very elite prep prospects to enter college football over the past decade—may pass on staying at home and ultimately decide to join his close companion.