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http://thetandd.com/sports/college/9e4f8d68-83e5-11e3-b4d1-001a4bcf887a.html
Alongside leadership and work ethic, Jadeveon Clowney showed that he learned something else from Marcus Lattimore – never sidestep an opportunity to make a favorable impression.
Even though he is not eligible to play in the game, Clowney made the rounds on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., by meeting with representatives of NFL teams, following in Lattimore’s footsteps.
A year ago, Lattimore watched Senior Bowl practice from the sidelines, talked with NFL scouts and executives and spoke with reporters. The public relations strategy worked as Lattimore enthralled the right people and was eventually selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers despite missing the second halves of his junior and senior seasons with serious knee injuries.
Clowney, of course, is expected to be among the top five picks in the 2014 NFL Draft (May 8-10 in New York City), although his unmistakable objective over the next 4-1/2 months is impressing the right people and hearing his name announced as the No. 1 overall pick when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium for the first time.
“It’s very valuable to put a face with a name, and be out here watching the guys,” Clowney told reporters on Tuesday, according to a story in the Baltimore Sun. “It’s something to experience.”
Clowney is aware of the whispers surrounding him after his sack total dropped from 13 in 2012 to three in 2013. After a couple of episodes this past season, some analysts have questioned his work ethic and willingness to play football at a high level for a sustained period of time.
Clowney vowed to put all those concerns to rest by putting on a show at next month’s NFL combine at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis when he plans to perform all of the drills during the annual showcase for about 300 NFL hopefuls that runs from Feb. 22-25.
“I plan on doing everything,” said Clowney, who told the media horde at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., last July that his best ever 40-yard dash time was quicker than 4.5 seconds. “It’s all about competing and I’m a competitor.”
NFL.com analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Matt Smith each have the Houston Texans taking Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick in their initial mock drafts. In addition, NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt ranks Clowney as the No. 2 overall prospect behind Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has “J.D.” going No. 3 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to Jason Cole of the National Football Post, a St. Louis Rams assistant coach joked about his team taking Clowney in the No. 2 spot and “putting him on the field with fellow defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long, but then admitted that might be difficult.”
Clowney welcomed the stratospheric expectations he faces at the next level.
“I’m just going to take advantage of it and train and get better and just compete,” Clowney said. “I’m gifted and my work ethic is also going to set me apart.”
Clowney is one of a record 102 non-seniors that have declared for the 2014 NFL Draft (players who are three years removed from high school are eligible to make the jump early to the NFL and agree to forfeit any remaining college eligibility). Last year the number of underclassmen entering the draft was 73.
Already drawing comparisons to Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams, the last defensive end to earn the No. 1 overall selection in 2006 when the Houston Texan took him over Reggie Bush, Clowney is considered more “NFL ready” at the same point following three years with the Gamecocks.
Clowney’s in-depth scouting report at CBSSports.com supports the hype surrounding him: “Exceedingly rare combination of size, explosiveness, strength, speed and technique. Times the snap well and possesses true explosiveness out of his stance to cross the face of the left tackle. Exceptional burst off the snap with lateral agility and an array of pass rush moves.
“Simply too quick for trap blocks, consistently flashing into the backfield to beat oncoming blockers (as in the case of the famous Michigan tackle for loss, forced and recovered fumble). Good flexibility to dip around the tackle’s reach, turn the corner sharply and close on the quarterback in a flash.
“Uses his hands well to fight through blockers’ attempts to corral him, demonstrating refined hand placement and impressive strength. Does not rely on his outside speed rush, complementing his burst with an equally effective interior rush due to a terrific swim move and very good lateral agility.”
Alongside leadership and work ethic, Jadeveon Clowney showed that he learned something else from Marcus Lattimore – never sidestep an opportunity to make a favorable impression.
Even though he is not eligible to play in the game, Clowney made the rounds on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., by meeting with representatives of NFL teams, following in Lattimore’s footsteps.
A year ago, Lattimore watched Senior Bowl practice from the sidelines, talked with NFL scouts and executives and spoke with reporters. The public relations strategy worked as Lattimore enthralled the right people and was eventually selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers despite missing the second halves of his junior and senior seasons with serious knee injuries.
Clowney, of course, is expected to be among the top five picks in the 2014 NFL Draft (May 8-10 in New York City), although his unmistakable objective over the next 4-1/2 months is impressing the right people and hearing his name announced as the No. 1 overall pick when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium for the first time.
“It’s very valuable to put a face with a name, and be out here watching the guys,” Clowney told reporters on Tuesday, according to a story in the Baltimore Sun. “It’s something to experience.”
Clowney is aware of the whispers surrounding him after his sack total dropped from 13 in 2012 to three in 2013. After a couple of episodes this past season, some analysts have questioned his work ethic and willingness to play football at a high level for a sustained period of time.
Clowney vowed to put all those concerns to rest by putting on a show at next month’s NFL combine at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis when he plans to perform all of the drills during the annual showcase for about 300 NFL hopefuls that runs from Feb. 22-25.
“I plan on doing everything,” said Clowney, who told the media horde at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., last July that his best ever 40-yard dash time was quicker than 4.5 seconds. “It’s all about competing and I’m a competitor.”
NFL.com analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Matt Smith each have the Houston Texans taking Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick in their initial mock drafts. In addition, NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt ranks Clowney as the No. 2 overall prospect behind Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has “J.D.” going No. 3 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to Jason Cole of the National Football Post, a St. Louis Rams assistant coach joked about his team taking Clowney in the No. 2 spot and “putting him on the field with fellow defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long, but then admitted that might be difficult.”
Clowney welcomed the stratospheric expectations he faces at the next level.
“I’m just going to take advantage of it and train and get better and just compete,” Clowney said. “I’m gifted and my work ethic is also going to set me apart.”
Clowney is one of a record 102 non-seniors that have declared for the 2014 NFL Draft (players who are three years removed from high school are eligible to make the jump early to the NFL and agree to forfeit any remaining college eligibility). Last year the number of underclassmen entering the draft was 73.
Already drawing comparisons to Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams, the last defensive end to earn the No. 1 overall selection in 2006 when the Houston Texan took him over Reggie Bush, Clowney is considered more “NFL ready” at the same point following three years with the Gamecocks.
Clowney’s in-depth scouting report at CBSSports.com supports the hype surrounding him: “Exceedingly rare combination of size, explosiveness, strength, speed and technique. Times the snap well and possesses true explosiveness out of his stance to cross the face of the left tackle. Exceptional burst off the snap with lateral agility and an array of pass rush moves.
“Simply too quick for trap blocks, consistently flashing into the backfield to beat oncoming blockers (as in the case of the famous Michigan tackle for loss, forced and recovered fumble). Good flexibility to dip around the tackle’s reach, turn the corner sharply and close on the quarterback in a flash.
“Uses his hands well to fight through blockers’ attempts to corral him, demonstrating refined hand placement and impressive strength. Does not rely on his outside speed rush, complementing his burst with an equally effective interior rush due to a terrific swim move and very good lateral agility.”
