Scouts: Clowney Lacks Work Ethic, Motivation

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Published Aug. 25, 2013
By Charlie Campbell - @draftcampbell

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is going to be owning the spotlight for the 2014 NFL Draft over the next eight months. The physical phenom is known as the best player in college football and is perhaps the most coveted defensive prospect of the 21st century. Assuming Clowney continues to dominate on the field, the majority of the research from NFL scouts could focus on him off the field. WalterFootball.com has learned from scouts that what they are finding suggests Clowney lacks work ethic and motivation, and lives by a different set of rules from the rest of his teammates.

Sources have told WalterFootball.com that current Clowney's situation reminds them of when Mario Williams was at N.C. State. Clowney has a different set of rules from the rest of his teammates and he exploits it. During training camp practices, Clowney has been picking and choosing what he participates in and has shown less effort in conditioning.

"[Clowney]'s lazy in conditioning. He does what he wants and has a different set of rules," said one scout. "He has the attitude of 'What are you going to do? Bench me?' He isn't a great worker and he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do."

In a recent interview with GoGamecocks.com, Clowney admitted that his conditioning in 2012 was subpar and he was out of shape. His coaches also said that Clowney took off about 20 percent of his plays last year.

Scouts said that the coaches were being generous and felt Clowney tried hard in far less than 80 percent of the snaps last year. While scouts say Clowney's motor isn't great now, they think that could change in the NFL if he lands with a tough, no-nonsense defensive line coach who can command Clowney's respect. Having some veterans who can do the same in the huddle would also help push Clowney to utilize his astounding skill set.

South Carolina's coaching staff doesn't have that authority over Clowney right now. Obviously, the Gamecocks need him to continue to be the dynamic play-maker he has been if they want to challenge for the SEC Championship. Pushing Clowney could cause a variety of problems that might hurt the 2013 season and could hurt the team's ability to recruit. Allowing Clowney to live by his own rules, but still have him star on Saturdays will keep the Gamecocks in the spotlight and help them to land the next superstars. While this dynamic isn't ideal, sources say that Clowney and the university staff get along well and genuinely like each other.

"[Clowney] has them by the balls," said another scout. "They know, and he knows, that he could just quit the team, train and still go at the top of the draft."

Staff around South Carolina have told NFL scouts that instant success in the at the next level could be the worst thing for Clowney. The belief is that he needs to be humbled and learn to push himself. Clowney doesn't have natural motivation and if he has some rookie struggles, scouts think that could spur him to become more dedicated to training. Over Clowney's career, it could be the best thing for him. If he has instant success, he could continue to think that his natural ability is good enough and he doesn't need to work hard to be a successful pro.

Scouts say that the 6-foot-6, 272-pound Clowney's natural athletic ability is the real deal. They said the reports that he ran the 40-yard dash in a time around 4.40 were accurate. He also did that without NFL Scouting Combine-style training.

"It's all God given," said one scout. "[Clowney] running a 4.40 (40-yard dash) was legit. He had no real training for it and doesn't push himself. You might not like how he works during the week, but when they say 'hut,' he clearly is the most talented guy on the field. However, he does love the lights and loves rising to the occasion when the game is on the line."

That could be seen last season in particular when he had a strip-sack fumble to seal a win for South Carolina against Tennessee. Throughout the game, Volunteer left tackle Antonio Richardson was playing well against Clowney, but late in the fourth quarter, Clowney came alive to make the play that kept the Gamecocks from allowing a comeback win. Of course, everyone remembers his forced fumble and recovery against Michigan in the Outback Bowl.

In 2012, Clowney dominated the SEC and was one of the best players in college football. The sophomore amassed 54 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, two passes batted and 13 sacks. He finished sixth for the Heisman Trophy. In 2011, Clowney was the SEC Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team All-SEC selection. He totaled 36 tackles with eight sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles.

Aside from living by a different set of rules, Clowney is said to be a fine teammate. He isn't a jerk or locker-room bully. Sources say he isn't a bad guy off the field either. Some have concerns about the influence of his father who served a stint in prison for robbery. Clowney was raised by his mother and grandparents.

While scouts feel that Clowney lacks work ethic, motivation and motor, and lives by a different set of rules, they don't think that will drop him down in the 2014 NFL Draft. They believe that good coaches and veteran leaders in the locker room could break Clowney of those bad habits. It sounds like where he lands in the NFL is going to be a big determining factor in Clowney realizing his full potential.

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