Jadeveon Clowney: 10 Biggest Questions About College Football's No.1 Recruit

Jadeveon Clowney has decided to do the gift giving on his birthday.

The super-freak defensive end every college football team wants has delayed announcing which school he is going to make happy until Valentine's Day, which is also Clowney's birthday.

Clowney is the nation's No. 1 college football recruit and he has every fan on the edge of his/her office chair for every possible update in the recruiting process.

As is the case with all top recruits, there is plenty to ask about Clowney. Here are the 10 biggest questions about the super recruit.

10. Who Does Jadeveon Clowney Resemble?

At 6'6'' and 247 pounds, Clowney has plenty of size, but he does not yet resemble a college defensive end. Still, his style of play and physical attributes have already started drawing comparisons to other ends in college and the NFL.

It's difficult to project how Clowney's body shape will change. As of yet, he uses speed and leverage much like Cincinnati Bengal and former Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap. Others see him in the mold of Houston Texan Mario Williams.

Clowney isn't slender, but he's also not imposingly muscular—yet.

9. What Is Clowney's Best Attribute?

Speed and quickness.

Clowney possesses speed that rivals most linebackers and some defensive backs while claiming the frame of a defensive end.

He uses his quickness to burst past offensive linemen before they can even react and then chases down quarterbacks with his 4.6 40-yard dash speed.

It's much easier to bulk a kid up than it is to speed him up.

8. Is Clowney Just a Defensive End?

With such a rare combination of skills, it's fair to wonder if Clowney is a lock at defensive end or whether coaches will consider him elsewhere on the field.

Football is a game of trends and the new trend in the NFL is the amoeba defense that moves its players around pre-snap to confuse the offense. Clowney would be a perfect fit at linebacker if this scheme infiltrates the college game.

His size allows him to play pretty much anywhere along the defensive line, but his speed makes him useful in coverage. He could play linebacker or defensive end depending on team needs and his development.

7. What Is Important To Clowney When Picking a School?

Clowney's family reportedly wants him to stay close to his Rock Hill, S.C. home. That boosts the chances for South Carolina and Clemson.

But Alabama's tradition has tugged at his interest as well.

When it's all said and done, Clowney just wants to go where he can get the most out of himself. He's made it very clear he wants to live up to his hype.

6. What Are The Chances Clowney Is a Bust?

With so much expectation, could Clowney end up as a bust?

It's unlikely. He may not become the greatest defensive end to ever play the game, as it is easy for fans to predict when a super recruit decides to attend their school. But he will be a successful college football player.

What's more, Clowney has made it clear he wants to fulfill his potential. There is nothing that motivates him more than avoiding the "bust" title.

5. Is Clowney a Prima Donna?

Clowney extended his recruitment for two weeks. We've seen other mega recruits like Terrelle Pryor, Bryce Brown and Seantrel Henderson do the same in recent years.

These players have so much thrown at them that it must be nice to be the center of attention for that long.

But Clowney has said that he is fatigued with the recruitment process. If he's extending it, it's not for the additional attention. It's because he's got more deciding to do.

4. Is Clowney Ready to Make an Immediate Impact?

Clowney has incredible talent and it's enough to get him in just about anybody's lineup right away. However, it won't be beyond a dozen snaps per game to start.

Clowney needs to learn more about football than being more athletic than everybody else. He needs to be slowly introduced to the lineup to gain experience with other players who have just as much clout.

By the end of 2011, he'll be ready to make more and more of an impact.

3. Is Clowney Overhyped?

It's easy to get caught up in Clowney's ridiculous stats. In his senior year, he racked up 29.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and 11 forced fumbles.

Those are tremendous numbers, but was it Clowney taking advantage of out-manned high school kids?

Maybe so. But Clowney's recruitment is based on his potential. He was great in high school and can be exceedingly productive in college once he starts to tap into that ability.

2. Who Has a Surprise Chance at Landing Clowney?

While Alabama, South Carolina and Clemson hold the best chances of signing Clowney, there are other schools that still have a chance.

Clowney canceled his official visit with Florida State. Ohio State and LSU supposedly fell off the radar a while ago.

Florida is the surprise team in the race right now, receiving an official visit. Will Muschamp's hiring as head coach seems to have intrigued Clowney.

1. With Whom Will Clowney Sign?

So where will this lauded recruit end up? South Carolina has had the inside track for some time now, with Alabama expected to be next in line.

Clemson is still getting discussion, but it seems a long shot at this point.

The Gamecocks are closer to his hometown than Alabama and that has them in the driver's seat. South Carolina is the choice for Clowney, although that won't surprise anyone.