South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina Gamecocks

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Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

The Rams will be "ecstatic" if South Carolina edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney doesn't go No. 1 to the Texans, believes Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay.

McShay offers two reasons: "One, it would drive up the trade value for the No. 2 pick (at No. 6, the Falcons are one potential trade partner); and two, if the Rams don't get a trade offer that makes sense, they'll have the opportunity to take the best player in this draft and transform a good, young defense into an exceptional one." McShay acknowledges that St. Louis' DL is already "very good," but salivates at the idea of being able to move Robert Quinn inside on passing downs. "Greg Robinson is the [Rams'] pick if Clowney goes first," McShay predicts.
Source: ESPN Insider
Mar 8 - 2:44 PM
Cedrick Cooper - LB - Gamecocks

South Carolina is considering switching to a 3-4 front as their base defense.

"It depends on how much we get done (this spring)," defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said before adding, "I won’t say it’s definitely a 3-4. It’ll be more like how we used (Eric) Norwood in 2009 when he was here." Norwood was able to put his hand in the dirt or drop as a linebacker, making the Gamecocks' front very versatile. Defensive end Cedrick Cooper, linebackers Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton and freshman Bryson Allen-Williams could be options.
Source: Go Gamecocks
Mar 7 - 8:40 AM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

Sports Talk 790's Lance Zierlein believes it looks more likely that the Texans will select a QB later in the draft rather than with the No. 1 pick.

Zierlein notes this would mean the Texans go with the best player (or grade) available, which would likely be Jadeveon Clowney. "Traits usually win out," Zierlein added. The possible second day quarterbacks include Fresno State's Derek Carr (outside shot), LSU's Zach Mettenberger, Alabama's AJ McCarron and Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garoppolo.
Source: Lance Zierlein on Twitter
Mar 6 - 10:46 AM
Bruce Ellington - WR - Gamecocks

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah believes South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington could be a slot guy available in the mid rounds of the draft.

"South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington-love his toughness, quickness and ball skills. Does get a little sticky at top of routes. Mid Round/slot guy," Jeremiah tweeted. The 5-foot-9, 197 pound receiver shows a ton of toughness, speed (4.45 forty) and instincts to be one of the more intriguing options at slot receiver, and as a return specialist at the next level. Bruce is Andre Ellington's cousin.
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Mar 4 - 4:04 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes there are "five legitimate candidates" that could go No. 1 and South Carolina edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney leads the list.

The five cadidates "are rushers Clowney and (Khalil) Mack, quarterbacks (Blake) Bortles and (Teddy) Bridgewater and tackle (Greg) Robinson," Rang tweeted. While quarterback is an obvious need for the Texans, drafting Clowney to pair with J.J. Watt may be too enticing. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien could still look at quarterbacks in the top of the second or even the third-round. Our own Josh Norris believes that QB Blake Bortles will be the first selection for the Houston Texans.
Source: Rob Rang on Twitter
Mar 4 - 11:23 AM
Ronnie Martin - DB - Gamecocks

South Carolina senior CB Ronnie Martin will transfer.

Martin only appeared in one game last season, so perhaps he's looking for more playing time. LSU and Florida State finished runner-up to the Gamecocks in 2013 when Martin signed out of Georgia Military College. If he wants to see the field more, he'll open up his search more broadly this time around.
Source: GoGamecocks.com
Mar 3 - 2:31 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

Former South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore defended DE Jadeveon Clowney's work ethic.

"I think when he gets around professionals, once he gets around J.J. Watt, those veterans, sees what it takes every single day, he'll be just like those guys," Lattimore said. "He's going to be fine. That's what happens. You get around pros, and you learn, and you start doing it. When the competition gets high, he'll rise to it." NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock believes the red flags surrounding Clowney might cause him not to be the first defensive player chosen. "He has all the talent in the world. He kind of reminds me of Aldon Smith with how athletic he is, the quickness," Lattimore said. "I think he's going to do great."
Source: NFL.com
Mar 3 - 12:42 AM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn spoke with one NFL scout who believes South Carolina edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney's physical talent is being overblown.

"I would not put my job on the line for that guy," the scout said. "Who has a profile like that that's been successful in the NFL? ... At what point in his life has he had to push himself?" This quote was printed prior to the NFL Combine, so we wonder if the evaluator has changed his tune. It seems the NFL scout is hung up on the "lazy" label Clowney has received, but prospects like Carlos Dunlap overcame similar tags, albeit not in the first round.
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Mar 1 - 1:34 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

Members of the St. Louis Rams scouting department "descended upon" Rock Hill, South Carolina in order to do their due diligence on edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

"They are trying to investigate him, trying to figure out what is in his background," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said. It has been well reported that the Rams are open to trading the pick, but passing on a talent like Clowney would be difficult for any team.
Source: NFL.com
Mar 1 - 9:18 AM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

South Carolina edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney has been reaching out to former teammate Stephon Gilmore during the draft process.

"In my hometown we stay like five minutes away from each other. So he's always hitting me up and asking me what the pre-draft process is about," Gilmore told Buffalo Bills media. "Like I tell him just keep working hard and everything else will take care of itself." Gilmore could be called a "riser" during his draft season, ultimately ending up at the tenth overall pick.
Source: Buffalo Bills
Feb 28 - 12:05 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman doesn't believe South Carolina edge player Jadeveon Clowney's low number of reps (21) benching 225 pounds should concern anyone.

"Clowney basically repped the same number on the bench as two of the NFL's top pass-rushers this year, Robert Quinn and Greg Hardy," wrote Feldman. "And Clowney is even more explosive than they are. I do think his lack of effort at times is cause for concern, but for those saying he is just a workout warrior, keep in mind he averaged 0.67 sacks a game in his college career -- only two other active college players were higher in 2013, as South Carolina's Charles Bloom pointed out." Clowney's official forty time clocked 4.53 seconds, his two unofficial times were 4.47 and 4.48 seconds, and his 10-yard splits were 1.56 and 1.59 seconds. Calling him a "freak athlete" at this point is trite. He embodies the next evolution of human athleticism.
Source: CBS Sports
Feb 27 - 7:42 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

South Carolina edge player Jadeveon Clowney's official forty time clocked in at 4.53 seconds.

His two unofficial times were 4.47 and 4.48 seconds with 10 yard splits of 1.56 and 1.59 seconds. The edge rusher's ability to convert speed to power is ridiculous, and these numbers back it up. Clowney also posted a 10-foot-4 broad jump and a vertical of 37 and 1/2 inches.
Feb 24 - 1:00 PM
Jadeveon Clowney - DL - Gamecocks

South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney ran two unofficial forty times of 4.47 and 4.48 seconds at the NFL Combine.

Clowney had two 10 yard splits of 1.56 and 1.59. The edge rusher's ability to convert speed to power is ridiculous, and these numbers back it up. His explosion off the line to gain a step on offensive tackles and change of direction to work inside or engage into their body will translate into success. He is and has always been a rare talent. Clowney will not participate in other drills outside of the vertical and broad jumps.
Feb 24 - 9:59 AM
Victor Hampton - DB - Gamecocks

South Carolina CB Victor Hampton said scouts have told him he will be drafted on the second day of the draft.

In other words, the second or third round. Hampton is one of the more physical edge defenders in this class, but NFL Media draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki noted his bust potential last week, citing Hampton's off-field problems. "Has had issues with anger management, emotional outbursts and team suspensions," said Nawrocki. "Will be targeted for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties given tendency to talk and taunt. ... Size and physicality will appeal to teams, though character concerns will cloud his draft status and could knock him off some draft boards." We see Hampton being called near the beginning of the draft's third day, perhaps in the fourth round. If a team dismisses his character concerns, he'd have a chance at beating that projection.
Source: NFL.com
Feb 23 - 5:58 PM
Kelcy Quarles - DL - Gamecocks

South Carolina DT Kelcy Quarles is excited to move out of the shadow of college teammate Jadeveon Clowney.

"I do get tired of hearing it, but it is what it is," Quarles said. "I felt like I was in the weight room working hard at 6 o'clock in the morning. I was the one after two-a-days running through hoops so I could get to the quarterback. I'm glad he was out there, and the attention he had, but at the end of the day I still had to beat my man to get there." Quarles, you might be surprised to learn, led the Gamecocks in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (13.5) in 2013.
Source: NFL.com
Feb 23 - 5:41 PM

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