JADEVEON CLOWNEY

Jadeveon Clowney was selected first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft after establishing himself as one of the most dominant defensive prospects in college football history. After spending the majority of his career with multiple organizations, Clowney returned to Houston in 2025, signing a one-year contract with the team that originally drafted him. Throughout his NFL career, he has earned three Pro Bowl selections while totaling 66.5 sacks, 450 tackles, 16 forced fumbles, and four defensive touchdowns. Known for his rare combination of explosiveness, power, and athleticism, Clowney has remained one of the league’s most disruptive edge defenders.

Clowney cemented his legacy as one of the greatest college football players of all time during his three seasons at the University of South Carolina. He recorded 130 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and 24 sacks while helping the Gamecocks achieve three consecutive 11-win seasons. His sophomore campaign in 2012 stands as one of the greatest individual seasons by a defensive player in college football history, as he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year while earning unanimous All-American honors and finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. His college career was highlighted by his iconic fourth-quarter hit against Michigan in the 2013 Outback Bowl, where he forced a fumble on a game-changing play that became one of the most memorable moments in college football history. In recognition of his impact on the program, South Carolina retired his No. 7 jersey.

Before becoming a national star at South Carolina, Clowney was one of the most highly recruited high school prospects in the country at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He dominated at the prep level, recording 162 tackles, 29.5 sacks, and 29 tackles for loss during his career. As a senior, Clowney totaled 77 tackles and 35 tackles for loss while leading South Pointe to a 15-0 record and a South Carolina 4A Division II state championship. His dominance earned him national recognition as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2011 class, USA Today High School All-American honors, and South Carolina Mr. Football.