Jadeveon Clowney Decision: Winners and Losers From Clowney Sweepstakes

Jadeveon Clowney is staying home to play for Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. 

Clowney is the clear cut No. 1 recruit in the nation. The defensive end from South Carolina chose not to announce on National Signing Day, but rather wait till his 18th birthday. 

Clowney said he still had one visit to take so he waited until today to announce. He picked the home state school over Alabama and Clemson. 

Here are the winners and losers from Clowney's decision. 

Winner: South Carolina

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Stephen Garcia #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Florida State Seminoles during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Gamecocks are huge winners here landing the top recruit in the nation. Clowney is 6'6", 240 pounds and can be an immediate impact for the Gamecocks. 

South Carolina had the most to lose, but they were able to land the top defensive end. Clowney is a difference maker, which the Gamecocks lack. He has the ability to get after the quarterback play-after-play and frustrate opposing teams. 

Clowney will no doubt be a huge force for the SEC over the next few years. 

Winner: Steve Spurrier

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

Spurrier and his Gamecocks just won the SEC East. They came up way short in the conference game, but Clowney can help them get back there this season. 

Spurrier is a winner here because before last season some wondered how much longer he would be at South Carolina. He solidified his place as head coach last season by winning the east. Spurrier is going to be around a lot longer now with a tremendous defensive player helping his squad.  

It may have been a little too easy for Spurrier to recruit Clowney because Clowney has a few teammates from his high school days starting for the Gamecocks. 

Winner: Jadeveon Clowney

That's right, I'm declaring Clowney as a winner. 

In a year of crazy antics for college football recruit signings, Clowney handled it really well. He was heavily sought after and he was smart to not announce on National Signing Day. 

Clowney didn't bring out an animal or take off five shirts. He didn't try to throw people off by picking up three different hats before settling on his decision. 

Clowney simply told us where he was going. Kudos to Clowney not falling into the hype of recruits acting a fool when announcing their decision. 

Loser: Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Dabo Swinney 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 came into the Clowney race a little late, but appeared to have a good shot. They're only two hours away from Clowney's hometown, but it wasn't close enough. 

Columbia is only an hour away from Rock Hill, which is a huge factor in why Clowney chose South Carolina. Clemson is a big loser here because they could have had the top defensive recruiting class of 2011. 

Clemson recruited top linebackers Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward. If they could have landed Clowney, the Tigers defense would be set for the next four years. However, Clemson came up short. 

Loser: Alabama

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on from the sideline during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martin

Alabama already has one of the top classes in the nation. However, landing the No. 1 recruit in the nation would have made them the clear cut top class in the country. 

Nick Saban knows how to recruit very well but he came up short here. It was going to be very difficult getting Clowney to leave his home state. Clowney's size, speed and athletic ability would have given the Crimson Tide even greater depth on their defensive front. 

But Clowney wanted to stay close to home, and the Crimson Tide will miss out on a phenomenal athlete.