He still has to prove it, but if proven true, Jadeveon Clowney will be hard-pressed to be unseated as the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Bleacher Report is reporting that sources close to Clowney say the South Carolina defensive end has been running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash in practice leading up to the NFL Combine that is currently taking place in Indianapolis.
ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that Clowney measured in at 6-foot 5 ½, 266 pounds, 34½-inch arms and an 83-inch wingspan. That's down from his playing weight of 274 during his senior year at South Carolina, according to the school's website.
Clowney had an inconsistent junior year, filled with some controversy as to his willing to play and not hurt his draft stock.
Clowney played 11 games in 2013 and finished with solid-but-human numbers of 40 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
During his sophomore season in 2012, Clowney had 54 tackles with a whopping 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He also had five quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles, earning him the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end. He also finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
The Houston Texans own the top pick in the NFL Draft, and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been trying to convince the Texans to take him with the pick.
But if Clowney can run a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash at the combine, he should establish himself as the clear-cut favorite to earn the No. 1 pick. The Texans would have a potentially dominant defensive line with Clowney and J.J. Watt.
Or the Texans could drive the price up considerably on any team that wants to trade into the top pick.
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