Jadeveon Clowney: Who Suffers and Benefits the Most from His Delayed Decision?

Countdown to decision day for the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, is now in full swing. Rumors are everywhere, speculation is alive and well and Clowney himself has basically gone underground.

In delaying his decision due to uncertainty and needing more time, Clowney has built up much suspense for the potential climax coming on February 14th. As with any decision, there are pros and cons, and also sufferers and beneficiaries.

Who's benefited the most? Who's suffered the most? Let's take a look.

Suffering: Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide leads his team onto the field to face the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

During the season and home stretch of the recruiting cycle before NSD, the Clowney to Alabama rumors were out and strong. Alabama was enjoying a very solid season and had the tradition, national championships and, in my opinion, the very best head coach in college football, Nick Saban.

As time has gone on, Clowney's other two finalists, in-state South Carolina and Clemson, have both sold him on the idea of staying close to home in the Palmetto State.

Even Clowney's high school coach has stated that Clowney has realized that Alabama is a ways from home, and the proximity is working against them very hard.

Benefiting: Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Marcus Gilchrist #12 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Clemson is benefiting because the more and more time goes by, the more and more ground the Tigers get to make up on Clowney.

During most of the recruiting cycle for Clowney, many had been linking him to either 'Bama or South Carolina, and Clemson was more of a team that was back in the pack. When the Tigers lost Chris Rumph to Alabama, many felt their fate was sealed.

New defensive line coach Marion Hobby has made serious inroads with Clowney, and the two have hit it off. Now as time has gone on, the Tigers have made up ground and are now one of the leaders, perhaps even more than Alabama.

Benefiting: South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 9: Coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks lines up with players after play against the Alabama Crimson Tide October 9, 2010 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Image

The Gamecocks are in even better position than Clemson is, as they are an in-state school like the Tigers, yet Clowney's high school has a stronger connection with the South Carolina program.

Clowney's South Pointe High School has only been playing football for six years but has already sent five players to South Carolina.

As time goes on, the Gamecocks figure to continue to recruit Clowney hard but also be patient, as he is sure to realize that South Carolina has former teammates of his on the roster, is close to home, has a national championship-winning head coach, is on the rise and is coming off an appearance in the SEC Championship Game.

Suffering: The Fans

If you've followed the recruitment of Clowney, then you are suffering. Come on—you want to know where he's going already. You surely have to be tired of the rumors, talk, speculation, updates and so forth.

Imagine the diehard Crimson Tide fan. Imagine the diehard Gamecocks fan. Imagine the diehard Clemson fan. They have to be at least somewhat frustrated, as they know there is a chance the top player in the country, one of the top recruits in recent years, could be suiting up for their school in the fall.

They are suffering. Period.

Benefiting: Marion Hobby

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NEW ORLEANS - 2007: Marion Hobby of the New Orleans Saints poses for his 2007 NFL headshot at photo day in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Getty Images)

When Chris Rumph bolted from Clemson to take the defensive ends job at Alabama, a lot of the public basically eliminated the Tigers from the Clowney sweepstakes.

But new defensive line coach Marion Hobby has reportedly hit it off very well with Clowney and has been really working on him to be a Tiger. Hobby surely is selling Clowney on the first round defensive linemen the Tigers have produced through the years and how he could have Clowney join that list.

Hobby started a bit late, but the extra time for the delayed decision has helped him make up ground, almost like a student getting an extension on a big paper that is due.

Suffering: Jadeveon Clowney

Everyone that has been following Clowney and reading up on him has the sense that he's not the type of guy to have delayed his decision for more hype or attention.

Yet there are those that haven't been following the saga too long (Urban Meyer) who just have assumed that he is doing this for more media attention and holding three programs hostage.

But here is another wrinkle: Clowney's high school coach has said they are getting hate mail. Wow. Really? Hate mail to a 17-year-old kid who's not sure where he wants to go to college. Hate mail?

There even was a petition out for him to sign with Alabama. All of this negative attention surely has had Clowney suffering.