Steve Spurrier: Clowney Could Have Skipped College for the NFL

by Andrew Doughty
in NCAA · NFL
— 4 Jan, 2013

Jadeveon Clowney arrived at South Carolina as a 6’7″ 250-pound local prospect and the No. 1 overall ranked high school player in 2011, with Steve Spurrier amongst others knowing the immediate impact the defensive end would have in the SEC

Projected as a top 3-5 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney provided an absurdly unhealthy hit to Michigan running back Vincent Smith in this week’s Outback Bowl, continuing to prove he is one of the best defensive end prospects in the last decade.

According to Spurrier, Clowney will have no problem jumping to the NFL and could have done it straight from high school. The veteran coach made the following comments in an interview on the Dan Patrick Show:

“He could’ve come out of high school, probably, and gone straight to the NFL and played,” Spurrier said. “He’s just one of those rare guys who has tremendous strength and quickness and explosiveness. And he likes playing. He’s a good guy, he’s really a good teammate also.”

Many NFL Draft analysts have predicted Clowney would be a top 3-5 selection in this April’s draft if he were three years removed from prep ball. However, does not appear interested in the Maurice Clarett route in order to gain early admittance into the league.