South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-20 NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 12 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney
The highest-rated recruit in the history of the recruiting industry, Jadeveon Clowney (2011-2013) lived up to the hype at South Carolina and became the Gamecocks’ second player to ever be selected with the first pick of the NFL Draft (along with George Rogers). The Houston Texans got the best seasons of Clowney’s professional career as he made three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team during his five years in the AFC South.
Unfortunately, health has been a big part of Clowney’s NFL life. From his rookie year onward, Clowney experienced injuries every season of his career and only played a whole season once. In his nine seasons, Clowney has played in just 109 games but still logged 43 sacks and 90 tackles for loss, numbers that would average out to about 7 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in full seasons.
Clowney is currently a free agent but is expected to sign with a new team this offseason for his 10th season in the League.