In the 100 days leading up to signing day 2015, RecruitingNation will be looking back at our ESPN recruiting rankings from 2006 to the present and counting down the best player of the past 10 years at each ranking position, No. 100 to No. 1.
Jadeveon Clowney, No. 1 in 2011 class
Clowney came out of in Rock Hill, South Carolina, as arguably the best prospect the state had ever produced. With that level of fanfare, in-state powers South Carolina and Clemson had to keep the special prospect at home, and the Gamecocks did just that bby landing Clowney over Alabama, LSU, Florida State, and Clemson. Clowney was part of a 2011 class for the Gamecocks that included Kelcy Quarles, Brison Williams, and Brandon Shell.
As a freshman, Clowney played in 13 games, making 36 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and All-SEC second-team by the league coaches. He started the season opener against East Carolina.
In 2012, Clowney became one of college football’s most feared players. He was tabbed unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-SEC first-team, and the Hendrick Award Winner following a school record 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss despite missing a game because of a foot injury. His season highlight was a 4.5 sack performance against rival Clemson at Clemson. He joined George Rogers (1980) as the university's only two unanimous All-American selections.
Clowney would again receive a number of awards and honors as a junior, despite battling injury much of the season. He was again named All-SEC first-team by the league coaches and first-team All-American after posting 40 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in 11 games.
Clowney chose to forgo his final season of eligibility in Columbia as everyone expected. He finished his three seasons at South Carolina with 47.0 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, and a school record nine forced fumbles.
Clowney was drafted No. 1-overall by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL draft. He again battled injury most of his rookie season, accounting for just seven tackles.
Honorable mention: All six prospects ranked No. 1-overall that are NFL draft eligible have been drafted. That list is: Myron Rolle, No. 1 in 2006 class. Joe McKnight, No. 1 in 2007 class. Da'Quan Bowers, No. 1 in 2008 class. Matt Barkley, No. 1 in 2009 class. Ronald Powell, No. 1 in 2010 class, and Clowney. Mario Edwards Jr., No. 1 in 2012 class will be selected in the 2015 NFL draft, and Robert Nkemdiche and Leonard Fournette are locks to be drafted high in future NFL drafts.
