Jadeveon Clowney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney with the Houston Texans in 2018
No. 7 – Carolina Panthers
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1993-02-14) February 14, 1993 (age 32) Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	266 lb (121 kg)
Career information
High school:	South Pointe (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
College:	South Carolina (2011–2013)
NFL Draft:	2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Houston Texans (2014) Seattle Seahawks (2019) Tennessee Titans (2020) Cleveland Browns (2021–2022) Baltimore Ravens (2023) Carolina Panthers (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2016) 3× Pro Bowl (2016–2018) Ted Hendricks Award (2012) SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2012) 2× First-team All-American (2012, 2013) 2× First-team All-SEC (2012, 2013) Second-team All-SEC (2011) SEC Freshman of the Year (2011) South Carolina Gamecocks No. 7 retired
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Total tackles: 409 Sacks: 58.0 Forced fumbles: 15 Fumble recoveries: 9 Interceptions: 1 Pass deflections: 32 Defensive touchdowns: 4
Player stats at PFR

Jadeveon Davarus Clowney (pronounced jə-DEV-ee-on; born February 14, 1993) is an American professional football player. He plays as a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was chosen as the very first player in the 2014 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. Clowney played five seasons with the Texans and was picked for the Pro Bowl three times. He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens.

Early life and High School Football

Clowney trying to tackle a quarterback during a high school game in 2010.

Jadeveon Clowney was born on February 14, 1993, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He went to South Pointe High School. Even as a freshman in 2007, he was already 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 200 pounds! He played both running back and defensive end on the junior varsity team.

In his second year, Clowney joined the varsity team. His coach, Bobby Carroll, quickly saw how special he was. South Pointe High School had an amazing season, winning all 15 of their games. They even won the 2008 South Carolina AAAA Division II title. Clowney finished that season with 17 sacks, which means he tackled the opposing team's quarterback 17 times behind the line of scrimmage.

Even after many older players graduated, Clowney helped his team to a 10–4 record in his junior year. He had 144 tackles and 23 sacks that season. In his senior year, he was even better, with 162 tackles and 29.5 sacks. He also forced 11 fumbles and recovered six. He even scored five touchdowns on defense! South Pointe reached the state finals again, and Clowney was named South Carolina's 2010 Mr. Football.

After high school, Clowney played in two important all-star games: the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the Under Armour All-America Game. He showed off his skills in both games, making many tackles and sacks.

Choosing a College

Throughout his high school years, many people thought Clowney was the best football player in his age group. Major sports websites like ESPN, Rivals.com, and Scout.com all rated him as the number one overall player in the 2011 class. Almost every top college football team wanted him to play for them.

On his 18th birthday, February 14, 2011, Clowney announced on ESPN that he would play for the University of South Carolina. He chose them over other big schools like Clemson and Alabama. He said he wanted to play in the SEC, which is one of the toughest college football leagues.

Track and Field

Besides football, Clowney also competed in track and field for his high school. He was a sprinter, a shot putter, and a discus thrower. He ran the 100 meters in 11.43 seconds, and threw the shot put 14.82 meters. He also helped his team's 4x100 meter relay squad finish third in the state championships.

College career

Clowney played college football for the Gamecocks at the University of South Carolina from 2011 to 2013. His coach was Steve Spurrier.

2011 Season: Freshman Year

As a freshman, Clowney played in all 12 games for South Carolina. He started the very first game, which was unusual for a freshman. In his first game, he had seven tackles. A week later, he got his first college sack against Georgia. In that same game, he made a huge play by forcing a fumble that his teammate returned for a touchdown, helping South Carolina win.

For the season, Clowney had 36 tackles and 8 sacks. He also forced five fumbles. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and was chosen for several Freshman All-American teams.

2012 Season: Sophomore Year

Clowney playing for South Carolina in 2012.

In his second year, Clowney became one of the best defensive players in college football. He helped South Carolina achieve an 11–2 record. He set new school records for sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (23.5). He also had 54 tackles and forced three fumbles.

In a big game against Clemson, Clowney set a school record with 4.5 sacks in one game. He won the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in the country. He was also a finalist for other major awards and finished 6th in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, which is usually given to offensive players. Fans voted him the 2012 AT&T All-America Player of the Year.

In the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2013, Clowney made a famous play against Michigan. He hit the running back, Vincent Smith, so hard that Smith's helmet flew off and he fumbled the ball. Clowney recovered the fumble, which led to a touchdown for South Carolina. This play was so amazing that Clowney won an ESPY Award for "Best Play" in 2013.

2013 Season: Junior Year

After his amazing sophomore year, many people thought Clowney might win the Heisman Trophy in his junior season. He had some minor injuries during the season, which affected his play. Still, he finished with 35 tackles and 3 sacks. He was again chosen for the First-team All-Southeastern Conference team.

After South Carolina won the 2014 Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin, Clowney announced that he would leave college early to enter the NFL draft.

College Statistics

Professional Career

NFL Draft

Even before he finished college, experts believed Clowney would be one of the top players chosen in the 2014 NFL draft. Many called him a "rare talent." At the NFL Combine in February 2014, Clowney showed off his incredible athleticism. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, which was the fastest time for any defensive lineman. This made people call him the "most freakish physical specimen" in the draft.

Clowney was indeed selected as the very first player in the 2014 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. He was the first defensive player to be picked first overall since 2006. On June 6, 2014, he signed a four-year contract worth over $22 million.

Houston Texans (2014–2018)

Clowney made his NFL debut in a preseason game in August 2014, making a tackle for a loss on his very first play. He also got his first professional sack in another preseason game.

His first regular season game was on September 7, but he left early due to a knee injury. He had surgery and missed several weeks. He ended his rookie season with seven tackles in four games.

In 2015, Clowney returned from his injury. He played in 13 games and recorded his first regular season NFL sack. He finished the year with 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

The 2016 season was a breakout year for Clowney. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and was also chosen as a second-team All-Pro player. He had 6 sacks, 52 total tackles, and forced a fumble. In the playoffs, he made his first NFL interception, helping the Texans win. His fellow players ranked him among the top 50 players in the NFL.

In 2017, the Texans extended Clowney's contract. He continued to make big plays, including recovering a fumble and returning it for 49 yards. He also scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a fumble from quarterback Tom Brady. He was named to his second Pro Bowl.

In 2018, Clowney had a strong season with nine sacks and 47 tackles. He recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. He was named to his third Pro Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks (2019)

On August 31, 2019, Clowney was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. In his first game with the Seahawks, he recorded a sack. On September 29, he made his first regular season interception and returned it for a touchdown! He also forced and recovered a fumble against the Los Angeles Rams.

In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Clowney had an amazing performance. He forced a fumble and recovered another for a 10-yard touchdown. He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for this game. He was also named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Tennessee Titans (2020)

On September 8, 2020, Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve in November due to a knee injury, ending his season early.

Cleveland Browns (2021–2022)

Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on April 14, 2021. He had a very good first season in Cleveland, playing in 14 games. He recorded 37 tackles and nine sacks, which was his most since 2018. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate again.

He re-signed with the Browns for another year in May 2022.

Baltimore Ravens (2023)

On August 18, 2023, Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He played in all 17 regular season games and started 15 of them. He finished the season with 9.5 sacks, 43 total tackles, and two forced fumbles. He also recorded a sack in the AFC Championship game.

Carolina Panthers (2024–present)

On March 27, 2024, Clowney signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, bringing him back to his home state of South Carolina.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Personal Life

Jadeveon Clowney was raised by his mother, Josenna Clowney, and his maternal grandparents, John and Josephine Clowney. His mother has worked at a Frito-Lay plant since 1994. His cousin, Demon Clowney, also plays college football for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Images for kids

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  Clowney with the Houston Texans in 2018

See also

In Spanish: Jadeveon Clowney para niños