Jadeveon Clowney’s bid to become the first strictly defensive player to win a Heisman Trophy could be delayed due to injury. Or the Ol’ Ball Coach could be sending a message to his star player.
One of the two.
Regardless, the All-American defensive end and odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall player selected in next April’s NFL draft has been dealing with a shoulder injury that’s kept him in and out of practice over the past several days. He also dealt with a knee issue early on in camp.
In statements made to the media following another Clowney-less practice Monday, head coach Steve Spurrier indicated that, if the defensive lineman doesn’t get back on the field soon, he could be held out of the season opener against North Carolina in less than three weeks.
And he did it in a way that only Spurrier could do.
"[I]f (Clowney’s shoulder) doesn’t come around real soon, we may play without him the first game,” Spurrier said according to Josh Kendall of The State newspaper, with the OBC adding what appears to be a little dig in the general direction of several players sidelined with health issues -- including one of the best football players in the country.
“We’ve got a bunch of hurt guys who act like they are really hurt so right now they may not play. ... I’ll handle those guys. We’re not depending on them. We can still field a team.”
Never change, OBC. Never change
Our guess? Much to the consternation of the Tar Heels and their fans, No. 7 will be on the field wreaking his unique brand of havoc when the Gamecocks host UNC Aug. 29.