On August 18, 2023, the Baltimore Ravens signed defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal. Clowney previously spent time with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennesse Titans, and Cleveland Browns. Clowney attended the University of South Carolina where he was a standout talent. As a true freshman in 2011, Clowney was named second-team All-SEC. In 13 games, he finished top 10 in sacks, tackles for losses, and forced fumbles.
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As a sophomore, Clowney’s stardom began to rise. In 2012, Clowney was named first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American. On top of that, Clowney won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award (the first sophomore to win the award). In the 2013 Outback Bowl, Clowney delivered the most notorious hit in college football history. In Clowney’s junior year, his final season with the Gamecocks, he saw several double and triple teams. Tested often, Clowney faced NFL-level blocking schemes. Passing the test, Clowney again achieved first-team All-SEC and All-American honors. After his junior season, Clowney became the first player drafted number one overall out of South Carolina since 1981. Now in the NFL, the Jadeveon Clowney experience has been a rollercoaster.
The Clowney Rollercoaster
The Ups
The Houston Texans selected Jadeveon Clowney with first overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Coming out of South Carolina, Clowney was considered a potential franchise-altering player. Clowney spent his first five seasons in Houston, making a name for himself in the league. As a rookie, Clowney was riddled with hype and expectations but had a disappointing debut season. In 2014, Clowney only played in four games due to a lingering knee issue. Although a small sample size, Clowney was unable to record a sack or quarterback hit on the season. The Texans did win three out of the four games that Clowney played in, though; making a case for his importance. In Clowney’s second season, he made gradual improvements. In 13 games, Clowney posted 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Clowney’s potential was glaring, although his sophomore numbers were far from what the league was expecting.
Clowney’s final three years in Houston would prove to be the best stretch of his career. In 2016, Clowney had his best season yet, achieving NFL All-Pro honors. Clowney was also named to the Pro Bowl as he finished the season with 52 tackles, six sacks, and 17 quarterback hits in 14 games. In 2017 and 2018, Clowney began to prove his worth. Playing his first full NFL season in 2017, Clowney posted 59 tackles and 9.5 sacks on his way to a second straight Pro Bowl. 2018 also saw Clowney make the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year after a 9-sack, 47-tackle outing. Unfortunately, Clowney has been wildly inconsistent since his time as a Texan.
The Downs
On September 1, 2019, Jadeveon Clowney was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. Spending one season in Seattle, Clowney posted surprisingly disappointing numbers after three straight impressive seasons. Clowney’s stint in Seattle was largely forgettable, accruing only three sacks and 31 tackles in 13 games. The following season, Clowney signed with the Tennesse Titans on a one-year deal. In Tennesee, Clowney had the worst season of his career. Before suffering a knee injury that placed him on injured reserve for the final 7 weeks of the season, Clowney’s numbers were abysmal. In 2020, Clowney did not sack a quarterback. Not only did Clowney finish the season with zero sacks, he ended with under 20 total tackles. Clowney was a shell of himself in Tennessee, performing even worse than he did the year prior in Seattle. After indications that Clowney had played his best seasons, the Cleveland Browns took a flier on him.
.@clownejd first time in a Ravens uni ‼️ pic.twitter.com/iJKeiKIFso
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 26, 2023
Cleveland signed Clowney to a “prove it” deal, one-year, $8M. After appearing to be on the decline, Clowney had a slight rejuvenation the next season. In Clowney’s first season in Cleveland, he improved his output by posting nine sacks and 37 tackles. That was Clowney’s first 9-sack season in three years. After Clowney’s bounce-back season, he signed another one-year deal with the Browns. Unfortunately, Clowney would revert to his lackluster play, only managing to collect two sacks and 28 tackles in 12 games. This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens signed Clowney to his fifth consecutive one-year deal.
Last Word on Jadeveon Clowney on the Ravens
Clowney has become somewhat of a journeyman, playing for his fifth team in six years. Inconsistency has been the knock on Clowney throughout his career, as he’s shown high highs and very low lows. Jadeveon Clowney is a rollercoaster and it’s Baltimore’s turn to take a ride.
Main Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
