by TIMMY JOSEPH Staff Writer
In this year’s NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall pick.
The college standout from South Carolina University was a possible first selection for the Texans, along with quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater, and linebacker Khalil Mack. However, the Texans chose Clowney above all others.
The Texans had their worst season in history last year when they finished with two wins and 14 losses. They were awarded the first overall pick, as is the custom, due to their less-than-stellar season.
Clowney was an extraordinary player in college, winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012, and becoming a first team All-American in 2013. His 6’6 height and 266 pound build is an obstacle for opposing offenses that is very difficult to overcome.
However, selecting Clowney with the first overall pick was questionable for the Texans, as he had a lot of issues.
One of them included his poor work ethic. His coach at SCU, Steve Spurrier, was one of the people who questioned his work ethic.
Clowney responded by saying, “I don’t know how he can say that because he didn’t even watch us for half of practice!”
However, there are those who believe that his “poor” work ethic will be fixed once he has the experience of playing alongside one of the league’s best defensive ends and leaders in JJ Watt.
One of Clowney’s undeniable perks is his incredible athleticism and hitting power.
His most memorable moment in college was definitely his hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith. During the 2012 Outback Bowl, Smith got the ball in the fourth quarter and immediately took a monster hit from Clowney in which Clowney knocked the running back’s helmet off, caused a fumble, and then recovered the football.
He impressed many scouts in the NFL combine and his Pro Day by demonstrating off-the-chart speed, agility, and strength.
His 40-yard dash time was a remarkable 4.53 seconds, which is a mind-blowing time for a defensive lineman.
Freshman Connor Angley said, “I still can’t believe that he ran that fast of a 40. That’s insane!”
Clowney’s speed and versatility is what talked the Texans into picking him and eventually starting him on the defensive line, a major concern for the Texans last season.
Clowney will be put under a lot of pressure coming into Houston as the number one pick as he tries to revive this new Texans team.
Freshman John Monaco said, “With Clowney on one side and Watt on the other, the Texans’ defensive line is going to be stacked. I don’t think there’s going to be one team that rushes over 100 yards on them.”
The Texans will hope to use this tandem of Clowney and Watt to better their results on the defensive side of the ball in this upcoming season.
Clowney is looking forward to wearing battle red and midnight blue for the Texans this year, and he is out to prove that he was well-worth the first overall pick in this year’s draft.
Do you think Clowney will perform well with the Texans and why?