Is Jadeveon Clowney still a top 3 pick?

He is known as “one of those rare game changers” by ESPN and the public alike. But how can you be a game changer when you have yet to change a game?  Jadeveon Clowney is a rush end– the second most important position on the field (the first being Quarterbacks). Turn on SportsCenter at any time and I promise you will see his award-winning caused fumble against Michigan. He has been likened to RGIII and Andrew Luck for his contributions to the position of defensive-end. However, there are talks that Clowney takes plays off and tries to “save himself.” Whether or not this is true, or a product of teams directing their offense away from him, remains to be seen. But we do know a few things. 1- He gave a poor, out of shape, showing week 1 against North Carolina– very unbecoming of the nation’s best college player. 2- He had a negligible impact against Georgia in week 2, leaving his coaching staff to scrounge for a suitable place for him on the field. 3- He has missed practices for bone spurs in his feet which, apparently, have been plaguing him since high school. 4- He waited until just before the game to tell his coaches that he would be inactive against our Kentucky Wildcats (this one does not seem as bad for some reason).

What does all this add up to? It is to early to tell. He has returned to practice after recovering from a muscle strain near his rib, but he is unsure if he will play against Arkansas. Perhaps we are witnessing the makings of what will be a dubious first round draft pick or a set of unfortunate circumstances. Regardless, if NFL teams are going to be dishing out tens of millions of dollars to a player, they are going to go for safety as evidenced by last year’s first year pick–an offensive tackle from Central Michigan. Not only was he a good player, he was a safe player.

 “You’re right, I should start playing soon”.

Right now, Jadeveon Clowney is not a safe pick.  If he hopes to remain at the top, Jadeveon will have to start showing a more reliable and effective effort. We shall see Saturday.