National Football League draft preview: Jadeveon Clowney impresses at pro-day

Jadeveon Clowney did exactly what was expected of him at South Carolina’s Pro-Day today. This was showcasing his freakish athletic abilities in front of a packed-house filled with NFL scouts. He did just that and reminded everybody why he is the most gifted athlete in the class of 2014, and perhaps a once-in-a-generation NFL player.

The 6’6” edge-rushing beast weighed in today at 266 lbs. In a drill ran by St. Louis Rams’ Defensive Line Coach Jim Washburn, Clowney did something no other player has done. He was asked to stand flat-footed and leap across horizontally-placed blocking bags, and then pick up a tennis ball after successfully landing. The four-bags that he was asked to leap over came so natural that they lined-up seven, and he breezed through it. According to multiple NFL Network announcers covering the pro-day, nobody has ever successfully done that, notes CBS Sports. His explosiveness and raw talent was easy to spot.

A little over a month ago at the NFL Combine, Clowney ran the 40-yard-dash in a ridiculous 4.53 seconds (fastest of any D-Lineman), according to Bleacher Report. Along with his success at pro-day, that 40-yard-time was expected of him as well.

What is also expected of Clowney? Well quite frankly, the unexpected.

The issue with Clowney is not his athletic prowess, or even his football knowledge. His work ethic and off-the-field worries are the concern. Millions of dollars are invested in an NFL Rookie. To make the wrong decision changes the fortunes of organizations for years, and people lose jobs.

Before the 2013 collegiate and pro season started, the answer to who would go number one overall in the 2014 NFL Draft was easy. Clowney. But since both seasons started Clowney has done a lot to confuse many.

Dogging-it on game-day, a couple of speeding tickets and a questionable work ethic has NFL General Managers sick to their stomachs at night. If the NFL could create a pro-day to showcase merit and character, then the draft would turn out a lot more predictable.

Clowney may have wowed many today and increased his draft stock. But he has not answered the question of whether he is “Real” or not. The Houston Texans hold the number-one overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and they have that chance to find out.

J.J. Watt on one side and Jadeveon Clowney on the other? Wow, sleep-tight NFL Quarterbacks.

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