Jadeveon Clowney: Where Else Can He Land Besides Alabama and South Carolina?

Jadeveon Clowney remains the most highly-sought after college football recruit in the nation.

Given his excellent size (6'6'', 240 pounds) and playmaking abilities, coupled with the fact that he is already being compared to a Julius Peppers-type player, it's easy to see why.

It has long been known that Clowney has favored Alabama and South Carolina as his favorite programs and that all other schools are playing second fiddle. Recent reports, however, have Clowney opening up his recruiting visits to other schools.

As national signing day approaches on Feb. 2, Clowney will undoubtedly be the most talked about player in the country. And that buzz is already started now.

The buzz that surrounds the nation's most talented player includes whispers of Clowney visiting with Florida and Florida State and him still considering schools he visited long ago.

With the college football world seemingly waiting on Clowney's every move, here are the teams he could potentially land with in addition to Alabama and South Carolina.

Clemson

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts to his teams 31-26 loss to the USF Bulls during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 31, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Ima

Much like South Carolina, Clemson remains a potential landing place for Clowney because of the Tigers' proximity to his Rock Hill, South Carolina home.

Still, Clemson brings much more to the table for Clowney than just being somewhat close to home.

The Tigers have assembled a fantastic recruiting class this year and have the type of surrounding talent that could help Clowney continue to improve and grow into the type of NFL-ready defensive end we're all assuming him to be.

Despite a down year on the field, the Tigers have competed well in the recruiting game with Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia for perhaps the top 2011 class in the ACC.

Clowney will take his official visit to Clemson Jan. 28.

At this point, Clemson seems like a likely No. 3 option for Clowney.

LSU

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Members of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrate after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies 41-24 during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Image

LSU fans remain hopeful that the borderline interest Clowney has in heading to the Tigers only increases as national signing day nears.

While the Tigers do seem to remain on the outside looking on Clowney, they sure do offer a decent supporting cast in this year's recruits and commits.

LSU grabbed the verbal of top-ranked defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, a 5-star recruit and a pair of 3-star cornerbacks in David Jenkins and Micah Eugene.

It's clear that the high-powered Tigers are switching a focus to the defensive side of the ball and that is a spot in which Clowney could obviously add to and grow along with.

That said, LSU remains an unlikely landing spot for the top-ranked Clowney.

Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to hand the ball of to Dan Herron #1 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ohio State was just one of many teams that reached out to Clowney when the recruiting process began for the talented defensive end. And now, Ohio State remained one of the few teams left in Clowney's view as national signing day approaches.

Still, Buckeyes fans aren't too optimistic that they'll land the services of Clowney.

In December, Bucknuts recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic told the Columbus Dispatch that, “ Realistically, I think it's a long shot for Ohio State, but at least they do have a shot. He has been scheduled to make his official visit to Ohio State on the weekend of Jan. 28 but now he might be wavering on that.”

It has since been reported that Clowney will take his Clemson visit on Jan. 28. But it's crystal clear that Ohio State seems to be on the outside looking in at the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes at this point.

Florida

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Omarius Hines #82 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown catch with center Mike Pouncey #55 against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florid

After rescheduling his visit to Clemson for Jan. 28, Clowney will take a trip to Gainesville this upcoming weekend, according to reports.

In a surprising twist of fate, the Gators enter the Clowney sweepstakes in a big way very late in the game.

Florida has put together a solid class despite the mid-recruiting season loss of Urban Meyer.

The Gators have 5-star quarterback Jeff Driskell and a host of other top-flight offensive stars lined up for 2011. Clowney could potentially join 4-star safety Jabari Gorman and 4-star defensive end Clay Burton on an athletic defensive class for the Gators.

Florida State

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Taiwan Easterling #8 of the Florida State Seminoles against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Clowney remains a long shot for Florida State but the Seminoles are still in the game, which is more than most programs can say.

The Seminoles, however, sure do bring a talented supporting cast to the negotiating table.

Led by 4-star recruits Karlos Williams (safety), James Wilder (athlete), Keelin Smith (safety), Tyler Hunter (safety) and Nile Lawrence-Stample (safety), Florida State has added to its defense immensely.

Adding Clowney would only sweeten the pot for the Seminoles' No. 2-ranked 2011 recruiting class.