From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jadeveon Clowney made an impact.
Jadeveon Clowney is an American professional football linebacker currently playing for the Carolina Panthers. He was a standout player for the South Carolina Gamecocks, winning the Ted Hendricks Award. Clowney was drafted first overall by the Houston Texans in 2014 and spent five seasons with the team, earning three Pro Bowl selections. After leaving Houston, he had stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens before joining the Panthers. He is known for his athleticism and impactful defensive plays.
2006: Mario Williams Drafted
In 2006, Mario Williams was drafted and was the first defensive player selected first overall by any team since Williams.
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2007: Travian Robertson Freshman Debut
In 2007, Travian Robertson became the first freshman to start on the defensive line since Clowney.
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2007: High School Football Debut
In 2007, as a freshman, standing at 6'3" and weighing 200 lbs, Jadeveon Clowney played running back and defensive end for the South Pointe High School junior varsity team.
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2008: AAAA Division II Title
In 2008, South Pointe, with Clowney, went 15–0, securing the South Carolina AAAA Division II title with a 35–14 victory over Northwestern High. Clowney had 17 sacks despite a bone spur.
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2008: South Pointe Season
In 2008, despite the graduation of 31 seniors, Clowney contributed to South Pointe's 10-4 record and state semifinal appearance, recording 144 tackles and 23 sacks.
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2010: Named South Carolina's Mr. Football
In 2010, Jadeveon Clowney was named South Carolina's Mr. Football, capping off a high school career where his team went 38-6 across three seasons.
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February 14, 2011: Commitment to South Carolina
On February 14, 2011, his eighteenth birthday, Jadeveon Clowney announced his commitment to play football for the University of South Carolina, choosing them over other top programs.
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February 2011: ESPN Photo Shoot
In February 2011, Jadeveon Clowney participated in a photo shoot in New York City for a feature story in ESPN the Magazine.
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2011: College Career Start
In 2011, Jadeveon Clowney began his college football career at the University of South Carolina, playing under coach Steve Spurrier.
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2011: Track and Field Competitions
In 2011, Jadeveon Clowney competed in track and field, achieving a personal-best of 11.43 seconds in the 100 meters and participating in shot put, discus, and relay events.
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2011: Top Recruit
Throughout his senior year and leading up to 2011, Jadeveon Clowney was consistently ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect of the 2011 class by major recruiting services.
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2012: All-American Honors
In 2012, Jadeveon Clowney received unanimous All-American honors.
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2012: Awarded All-America Player of the Year
In 2012, Jadeveon Clowney was voted the 2012 AT&T All-America Player of the Year, capping off a season where he won the Ted Hendricks Award and was a Unanimous All-American.
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January 1, 2013: Outback Bowl Victory
On January 1, 2013, Jadeveon Clowney made a hit on Michigan's running back Vincent Smith that led to a fumble recovery and a touchdown. South Carolina won the game against Michigan, 33-28.
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January 2013: Projected Top NFL Draft Pick
As early as January 2013, Jadeveon Clowney was projected as a top-three selection in the 2014 NFL draft.
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July 17, 2013: ESPY Award
On July 17, 2013, Jadeveon Clowney won the 2013 ESPY Award for best play for the hit he made during the Outback Bowl.
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September 2013: High Ranking in Mock Drafts
Late in September 2013, mock drafts still ranked Jadeveon Clowney among the top-two picks for the NFL draft, despite injuries and performance concerns.
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2013: College Football at South Carolina
From 2011 through 2013, Jadeveon Clowney played college football at the University of South Carolina.
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2013: All-SEC Selection
In 2013, Jadeveon Clowney was again a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection.
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February 2014: NFL Combine Performance
In February 2014, at the NFL Combine, Jadeveon Clowney ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, the fastest among defensive linemen, solidifying his status as a top prospect.
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June 6, 2014: Signs with Houston Texans
On June 6, 2014, Jadeveon Clowney signed a four-year, $22.272 million deal with the Houston Texans, including a $14.518 million signing bonus.
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August 9, 2014: Professional Debut
On August 9, 2014, Jadeveon Clowney made his professional debut in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, making a tackle for a loss.
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2014: Entering NFL Draft
After South Carolina's win in the 2014 Capital One Bowl, Jadeveon Clowney announced his decision to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft.
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2014: Confirmation to Enter NFL Draft
After the college season concluded in 2014, Jadeveon Clowney confirmed that he was going to enter the 2014 NFL draft.
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September 13, 2015: Return from Injury
On September 13, 2015, Jadeveon Clowney returned from injuries from the previous year against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording four tackles.
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October 25, 2015: First NFL Sack
On October 25, 2015, Jadeveon Clowney recorded his first regular season NFL sack against the Miami Dolphins.
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2016: Pro Bowl Selection
In 2016, Jadeveon Clowney was named to his first Pro Bowl and awarded second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, marking a significant achievement in his NFL career.
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January 7, 2017: First NFL Interception
On January 7, 2017, in the Wild Card Round against the Oakland Raiders, Jadeveon Clowney recorded his first NFL interception against Connor Cook.
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April 14, 2017: Texans Pick Up Fifth-Year Option
On April 14, 2017, the Houston Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Jadeveon Clowney's contract, securing him for another year.
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September 24, 2017: First NFL Touchdown
On September 24, 2017, against the New England Patriots, Jadeveon Clowney scored his first NFL touchdown off a fumble by Tom Brady.
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December 19, 2017: Second Pro Bowl Selection
On December 19, 2017, Jadeveon Clowney was named to his second Pro Bowl, although he couldn't participate due to knee surgery.
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December 23, 2018: Illegal Sack
On December 23, 2018, Clowney illegally sacked Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
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2018: Season Performance and Fine
In 2018, Jadeveon Clowney finished the season with nine sacks and was later fined $40,110 for illegally sacking Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
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March 4, 2019: Texans placed franchise tag on Clowney
On March 4, 2019, the Texans placed the franchise tag on Jadeveon Clowney.
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September 29, 2019: First Regular Season Interception
On September 29, 2019, Clowney had his first-ever regular season interception against the Arizona Cardinals off a pass from Kyler Murray, returning it for a touchdown in Seattle's 27-10 win.
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September 8, 2020: Clowney signed with the Titans
On September 8, 2020, Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans for $12 million.
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April 14, 2021: Clowney signed with the Browns
On April 14, 2021, Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
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May 22, 2022: Clowney re-signed with the Browns
On May 22, 2022, Jadeveon Clowney re-signed with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal.
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August 18, 2023: Clowney signed with the Ravens
On August 18, 2023, Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
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March 27, 2024: Clowney signed with the Panthers
On March 27, 2024, Jadeveon Clowney signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
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