University of South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney gets pumped after putting pressure on Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd in the first half at William-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.. C. ALUKA BERRY — caberry@thestate.com
It wasn’t that long ago that Jadeveon Clowney was the kid at the football camp; the kid watching the celebrities from the stands.
After a standout freshman season at the University of South Carolina, he’s a big name in his own right.
The former South Pointe High star participated in Chris Hope’s celebrity basketball game last weekend in Rock Hill alongside numerous NFL players, and didn’t look at all out of place. Earlier in the day he had talked to a kids’ football clinic in Charlotte, sharing his story of becoming one of the top young players in the SEC. It’s a long climb in a short time, but Clowney took a few minutes to reflect on the hectic past year with The Herald:
Q: What’s it like being considered a celebrity now, and having kids look up to you?
Clowney: “It feels good just knowing I’m an inspiration to somebody.
“When I was growing up, I remember coming to things like this (Hope’s basketball game), and seeing all these guys I’m out here with now. I had so many good role models in life that worked with me, taught me the right things, told me to do my best.
“It’s just amazing to look around here and see all those guys I was looking up to growing up, that I’m out here in the game with them now. I never imagined I could do something like this, I’ve just been blessed by God.”
Q: Looking back on your freshman year, what stood out the most about the beginning of your college career?
Clowney: “It was a lot of fun, but it was also a lot of hard work.
“I knew I had to come in and be ready from the start, because everybody had such high expectations for me. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to be prepared, and just give my all for the team once the season started.”
Q: Was there anything that surprised you about being a freshman in the SEC?
Clowney: “I think more than anything, I wasn’t prepared for the number of plays.
“I mean, I knew we’d have a big playbook, but I don’t think when I walked in the door I understood just how many plays it was going to be. It took me a while to feel like I knew what we were doing in each defense, because there’s so much going on.”
Q: You were the focus of so much attention as a high school recruit. Is there anything you’d have done differently during that process?
Clowney: “No sir, I’m absolutely where I want to be.
“Actually, if I could have changed anything, I would have probably committed earlier (laughs). That was a long process.
“But I’m extremely happy where I am, and I wouldn’t have changed anything about coming to South Carolina.”
Q: What do you have to do to improve on a solid freshman season, and take up some of the burden for Melvin Ingram (who was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft by San Diego)?
Clowney: “I just have to become more of a complete player.
“Pass rush is one thing, but I know I have a lot of work to do to become a better all-around player. Run defense is probably the hardest thing to learn in football, because there’s so much technique to it. I know I have a long way to go on that.”
Q: What do you tell a group of kids when you speak at a clinic? Is it unusual since you’re not that much older than some of them?
Clowney: “I enjoy it. I like talking to the kids.
“Really, I just try to share with them what so many people shared with me. You just have to work hard, do the right things and follow your dreams.”
link: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/05/23/3996619/former-south-pointe-star-jadeveon.html
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