Welcome To The Freak Show: Film Room Breakdown on Jadaveon Clowney

I will continue to post evaluations of the Top Players from the Class of 2011 here on SCVarsity.com through signing day. South Pointe defensive end Jadeveon Clowney seems to be the hottest stock on the recruiting market so I'll go ahead and post the nation's top player's evaluation here for discussion.  

The qualities in a defensive end vary with the type of defense a program plays and what the team asks a player to do.

Traditionally in the 4-3 look, teams are looking for defensive ends who can rush the quarterback. The weakside defensive end should be the best pass-rusher, and he must have speed and explosion off the corner and should be a potential sack artist. A good weakside end should have great range and chase ability and at least be adequate against the run.

A defensive end who struggles against the run will be exploited by opposing offenses who find him and run right at him. Many freshmen coming into college football lacking great size and strength become successful contributors as weakside defensive ends, either on a full-time basis or on a limited basis on passing downs.

The strongside defensive end in a 4-3 defense still has to have some pass-rush ability, but is also a little more powerful and stout. He must be able to stop the run (most teams are right-handed), and he must be able to hold up the tight end at the line of scrimmage. He is not quite the athlete that the weakside defensive end is, but he is more capable of anchoring. The perfect strongside end has enough size to stop the run, but also the quickness and athletic ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks in the pass rush.

In 3-4 defenses, the defensive ends are more physical and are asked to play the run more than pass. In this defense, the primary pass rush comes from the outside linebackers. So the defensive ends are asked to stuff the run and keep the blockers occupied. These players are usually tough guys with size and some athletic ability, but not necessarily proficient pass rushers.

Obviously, programs are going to recruit to their respective team philosophies. Since most 16 and 17-year-old kids are underdeveloped at this stage, it may take some time to figure out which side they will end up playing.

Jim Baxter's Evaluation of Jadaveon Clowney

Against run: He is a shut down machine on anything coming his way and his backside pursuit of the run is better than any other player in the country. Pass rush: His speed coming off of the edge is like a sprinter and he smothers quarterbacks quickly before they can even think about scrambling. Pursuit: As pointed out in run eval, he is excellent in pursuit and is able to get through the trash as if it isn't even there.  Tackling: Wraps up well on the runners and quarterbacks and takes the ball carriers through the ground. Initial quicks: Watch the film; it is almost as if he knows the snap count. I haven't seen a would-be blocker get a good shot at him all season.  Recognition: Great instincts, reads, reacts, and pursues well.  Neutralizing blocks: Is able to control his blocker and, as I said in "quicks," I haven't seen him successfully blocked this past season.

Jadaveon Clowney is the best defensive end prospect in the country; I feel he is the best overall prospect in the country. I've been evaluating and ranking players since 1984 and, other than Emmitt Smith at Escambia High School (85,86), Clowney is the best high school player I've ever seen.

The discussion continues on whom will land this young man's services. I still say that South Carolina is the team to beat with him and that Alabama is a distant second. Some may say close second, but I don't think they are as close as people think. For the Gamecocks' sake, I hope I'm right.

Watch Clowney's Highlights Here