The college football season is getting very close to starting and as usual, the SEC is of prime importance with the Johnny Manziel autograph scandal and another reason the conference is so popular is due to presumed number one pick Jadeveon Clowney returning to practice for South Carolina.
According to ESPN.com, Clowney was back at practice for the team after missing out with a shoulder issue and he said that he was feeling good heading into the season. Clowney is looked at as the best player in college football and he likely will be the number one overall pick in the draft next year. Clowney was dominant last season and had the highlight of the year with a tackle against Michigan and now many think that he could win the Heisman as a defensive player.
The report said that Clowney did not participate in the scrimmage over the weekend for the Gamecocks and the injury was not serious in nature for Clowney. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier wants him to get back in action ahead of the first game on August 29 against North Carolina and there is a chance he may not be ready for that tilt. Clowney ended up finishing sixth in the Heisman voting last year and was the SEC defensive player of the year.
The sophomore put up the best numbers of his two-year career this past season, making 50 tackles, 13.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defended. He had 37 solo tackles, 20 tackles for loss and was a force in every game he played, including in the opening 17-13 win against Vanderbilt when he had four tackles and one sack. Clowney improved dramatically in his sophomore season and became one of the most explosive defensive players in the nation. He ranked first in the SEC in sacks and made a season-high seven tackles in a 49-6 win against UAB in September.
During a four game stretch this season, Clowney recorded 5.5 sacks in wins against UAB, Missouri, Kentucky and Georgia, who went on to go play in the SEC championship game. South Carolina lost the following two games, including a 44-11 loss at Florida on Oct. 20.
Clowney faced double teams for most of the season, but still put up excellent numbers. His best performance of the year came in the regular season finale against in-state rival Clemson. Clowney had 4.5 sacks in the 27-17 win and recorded seven tackles, including six solo against athletic quarterback Tajh Boyd. Clowney has a chance to break Eric Norwood's school record of 29 sacks next season and his 21 career sacks rank seventh among all players in the SEC since 2000. Clowney will face tough odds and history to win the Heisman trophy, but his confidence is shaken by any of it.