Clowney signing boosts Gamecocks, stings 'Bama, Clemson
A year ago, head coach Steve Spurrier used a few dance moves to win over the mother of prized recruit Marcus Lattimore. This year, Spurrier was a little more direct and simply kept asking No. 1 overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney to be his Valentine.
Different method, same result for the Ol' Ball Coach.
The final commitment for the class of 2011, Clowney selected South Carolina live on national television surrounded by friends and family at his high school.
"It's been very hard," Clowney said. "People were coming from me from all different [directions].
"I'm headed to the University of ... South Carolina."
The Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe defensive end was a terror for opposing offenses throughout his senior season, racking up 162 tackles, 11 forced fumbles and an eye-popping 29.5 sacks. One of the few consensus No. 1 recruits coming out of high school, Clowney has been compared to NFL stars Mario Williams and Julius Peppers.
The addition of Clowney doesn't mean you can pencil the Gamecocks in for championship, however. According to the National Football Post, only six of the past 25 overall number one recruits went on to win national championships at their schools. For Clowney though, the decision to go to South Carolina was about more than winning.
"I chose them because I have a lot of friends and it's close to home so my mom can see me play all the time," he said. "I'll play with a couple of teammates up there. I have a couple of friends going this year. I want to play with them."
The move is a considerable boost to South Carolina's overall recruiting class. Prior to Clowney's commitment, the Gamecocks had MaxPreps' number 12 overall class in 2011. Adding the No. 1 player in the nation should not only bump South Carolina into the top 10 but gives the reigning SEC East champions a recruiting class full of quality players to add to a number of key returning players for next year.
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The Valentine's Day commitment also means a bit of heartbreak for Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Clowney's other finalists. Both have top-five recruiting classes but pressed hard down the stretch to add the 6-foot-6, 240 pound defensive end.
He decided to delay signing his letter of intent until after Signing Day in order to take an additional visit to Clemson. The visit and subsequent 12-day delay also allowed him to commit on his 18th birthday.
Clowney becomes the 32nd player to sign with South Carolina, though NCAA rules limit them to putting 25 on scholarship.
A report from The New York Times raised questions about Clowney qualifying for college, which could force him to detour to a prep school or junior college. Both Clowney and his high school coaches have said that he will qualify.
