Jadeveon Clowney to South Carolina: Did Nation's Top Recruit Make Right Choice?
So now we know: Jadeveon Clowney is all Gamecock. Sorry, Clemson. Sorry, Alabama. But Clowney will head to Columbia for the next three to four years.
After a long and grueling process for all parties involved, Clowney chose to head to South Carolina. As with any decision, especially of this magnitude, the debate will begin on what Clowney should have done or if this was the right choice for him...
Well...is it?
Distance
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Clowney stuck to his guns, as he has said all along that he desired to stay as close to home as possible, in state.
It came down to South Carolina vs. Clemson, with Columbia being 68 miles form his native Rock Hill (SC), and Clemson being around 120 miles away from home. Tuscaloosa by comparison is 400 miles away from his home.
He is very close to his family and they can easily make the drive to the Gamecock's campus to see him play on Saturdays.
Tradition
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First, Clowney is headed to play in the SEC, the most competitive conference in college football. They say, "Big time players make big time plays in big time games." Well, it also can be said that big time players make big time plays in the SEC.
Specifically, South Carolina is not a traditional juggernaut like an Alabama, Florida, Georgia or LSU. Yet the Gamecock program has its rich history through the years. The Williams-Brice stadium is one of the must-sees in the south and "The Cockpit" is always sold out.
"Cocky" roams around during games, "Go Carolina" blasts and "Amazing Grace" is always the final played at the end of each game.
Education
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Clowney could not have gone wrong in his choices as far as education. A degree from South Carolina, Clemson and Alabama carries much weight in the south.
At this time it is not known what major Clowney will pursue, yet with five years of college education fully paid for, choosing South Carolina is not a bad choice at all.
Clowney is expected to play in the NFL, not work a nine-to-five job, but anything can happen and holding a degree is imperative.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Football Fit
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Clowney's best fit to me was always as a hand down, traditional 40 front end. Yet envisioning him as a JACK linebacker in Alabama's scheme was also a great fit as well.
At South Carolina, he gets to put his hand down and get upfield, as he is best at doing. His athleticism is at its best going forward and bending off the edges. The Gamecocks run a 4-2-5/4-3 type of defensive scheme, and this is a very solid fit for Clowney's skill set and talents.
Playing Time
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Clowney also has a very, very good chance to see the field early in Columbia. The Gamecock defensive ends are solid on the depth chart, but once Clowney learns the defense and adjusts to the college game, he will be firmly entrenched as a first teamer.
At Clemson or Alabama, he would have had a harder time getting on the field, but would have seen time as a situational pass rusher nonetheless.
Overall, South Carolina gave him the best chance for a lot of early playing time, so this is another factor where you can't argue with his choice.
Overall
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In my honest opinion, Clowney could not have made a better choice.
He gives the Gamecocks their biggest recruit to come to Columbia in the program's history, plays for a legendary head coach, in the SEC, in a 40 front defense and is not far from home.
He gets a solid education, sees a beautiful campus, plays in a great stadium and his family can see him play every Saturday in person. There are many people who will argue that Clowney made the wrong choice, just don't count me as one of them.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
