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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
 Posted - 06/15/2012 : 1:49:12 PM
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Its been asked on the message boards so much already a Rivals recruiting expert put his thoughts down on this. Figured you guys might like to read it.
The question has already been asked a hundred times, but now that Loganville (Ga.) Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche has committed to Clemson, it will be asked again. Is Nkemdiche, the nation's No. 1 player in the class of 2013, better than South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the nation's No. 1 player in 2011, at the same stage of development?
I'm not going to demur and say something like, "they are different players and have different body types, so it's hard to say." I also don't want to say the next great player is better than the last great player, just for shock value. People want to know the answer, the true and honest answer with no sensationalism, politics or hidden agenda. And based on pure film evaluation, Clowney clearly has the edge. But why and how big of an edge is it?
The first thing it comes down to is length. Clowney is a longer prospect, longer arms, longer legs and torso, and that allows him to cover a bit more ground and do a little better job in space. At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds coming out of his junior year, Clowney was not quite as big or strong as Nkemdiche is at the same stage, but he was able to track things down better to the outside and make plays in the backfield at times, simply because of his long arms. Watch on film and you can see a few times where Clowney makes a play with his hands and fingertips, even when being blocked or apparently out of range. That extra length made him a bit more special.
While Nkemdiche has the edge in strength and is more a bit more versatile than Clowney in some respects (he could play defensive tackle while Clowney would struggle inside), Clowney is better in pursuit and much quicker off the snap.
Nkemdiche can handle double-teams a bit better and is stronger at the point of attack, but Clowney reads the snap count like he's under center and can split double teams with such ease, it's a thing of beauty.
Both players do a good job of backside pursuit and getting down the line of scrimmage to make plays from behind, but Clowney reaches top speed quicker and closes much stronger. If you like animal analogies, think cheetah pursuing gazelle. When the cheetah gets within a certain range, it's over. That's Clowney.
Both players could play standup linebacker in college if they wanted to, they are that athletic, and both could come off the edge standing up as a 7-technique and be a menace in the opposing backfield. But both are better with their hand on the ground.
Clowney has a better outside pass rush, while Nkemdiche is better at getting into the body of opponents and rocking them back. Nkemdiche plays over a body more often and is inside at times, while Clowney liked to line out wide, but even when shoulder-to-shoulder with a tackle, Clowney is quicker to the outside.
Both are good with their technique, mixing up moves, using misdirection and getting free of blockers. Clowney has a great arm-over move while Nkemdiche extends his arms well and rides linemen into the backfield. But when it comes to footwork, Clowney has the clear edge here, setting up opponents with quick feet and showing amazing balance and agility.
But while length, quickness off the snap, strength, versatility, technique and footwork are all important, the wow factor that separates the two of them is pure speed.
Clowney runs like a wide receiver, and that, combined with his incredible motor and ability to change direction without losing a step, allows him to make plays all over the field. Nkemdiche lacks that same suddenness and quickness off the snap as well as in pursuit, and doesn't have quite the same "freak" quality.
The bottom line is that both are great players at the same stage and both are No. 1 at their position and in the nation.
But Clowney is that rare defensive end who comes along once every 20 years or so and Nkemdiche is not.
Clowney is the best high school football player I have seen in more than a decade scouting prospects, and in 2011 there was zero doubt in my mind that he would be No. 1 from bell to bell.
For 2013, there are a few other candidates for that coveted No. 1 slot and it could come down to the wire. The question here is more about Nkemdiche being better than players such as Ronald Powell, Jackson Jeffcoat and yes, even DaQuan Bowers. Those are better discussions that the Clowney comparisons.
None of this diminishes the effect of Nkemdiche's commitment to Clemson, nor does it put a damper on his ability or upside. Dabo Swinney and company are recruiting at a ridiculous level and to land the nation's No. 1 player out of state, a prospect many felt would end up at Alabama or LSU, will bring dividends this year and down the line. But when comparing the two Palmetto State commitments, Clowney has the edge on film and a pretty good one at that.
Clowney is a rarity and comparing anyone to him is like comparing wide receivers to Jerry Rice or offensive tackles to Anthony Munoz. It's not fair.
Of course, we will be asking the same question after this upcoming season regarding 2014 phenom Da'Shawn Hand from Woodbridge (Va.) Woodbridge Senior and that could be an interesting discussion.
Regardless, there is celebration in Clemson, S.C., as yet another five-star commits to the Tigers, who could be assembling a roster that could compete for a national title sooner rather than later.
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Edited by - shevlin on 06/15/2012 1:54:13 PM |
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Fishb8
Senior Member
6124 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 1:59:38 PM
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this is my favorite line
"Regardless, there is celebration in Clemson, S.C., as yet another five-star commits to the Tigers, who could be assembling a roster that could compete for a national title sooner rather than later."
They have been saying that for years.
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt "My Last Boat V"
If you can't stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them. |
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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 2:49:06 PM
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i thought my GIF was going to be your favorite. 
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson |
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saltydog235
Senior Member
9682 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 3:56:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Fishb8
this is my favorite line
"Regardless, there is celebration in Clemson, S.C., as yet another five-star commits to the Tigers, who could be assembling a roster that could compete for a national title sooner rather than later."
They have been saying that for years.
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt "My Last Boat V"
If you can't stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them.
Doesn't every team in Div 1 feild teams to compete for the national title every year? That's the name of the game, no one goes into the season hoping to lose every game or not be competetive.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.
"Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid" John Wayne
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Edited by - saltydog235 on 06/15/2012 8:26:09 PM |
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CaptFritz
Senior Member
7558 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 5:13:14 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by shevlin
i thought my GIF was going to be your favorite.
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson
will you post 3 times in a row. Thanks
www.advoutdoors.com
"I have tomorrow open!" |
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DFreedom
Senior Member
6605 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 8:46:23 PM
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| I'm just surprised that he did not want to compete in the best football conference in the country. |
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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 9:50:09 PM
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That's not important to all teenage kids DF.
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson |
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capehorn 16
Senior Member
2960 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2012 : 9:22:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by shevlin
That's not important to all teenage kids in the ACC DF.
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson
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DFreedom
Senior Member
6605 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2012 : 9:54:32 PM
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| Uh, ok. |
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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2012 : 4:15:00 PM
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DF these kids are teenagers. For a lot of them finding a place they feel at home, and really like the coaches, is very important. Also, while they certainly do care about championships, they don't to the extent crazy fans like we do.
Most high school kids, especially the elite ones, have the primary objective of reaching the NFL. Nkemdiche has said repeatedly he would pick a college that could 1. Get him to the NFL and 2. Get him on the field early.
We have put more DE's into the top 2 rounds of the draft over the past 4 years than any SEC team. And he will most likely start as true freshman.
His two best friends are committed as well and he said he feels like its a family at Clemson.
You don't think all those things could possibly outweigh playing in the SEC?
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Edited by - shevlin on 06/17/2012 4:42:42 PM |
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DFreedom
Senior Member
6605 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 08:12:15 AM
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| Dude, I was just yanking your chain. I keep waiting for Bonzo to come up with a sarcasm font but he is too busy looking for a paddle board. |
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saltydog235
Senior Member
9682 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 09:09:16 AM
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Sounds like the Tigers just picked up another 4 star kid for DE too.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.
"Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid" John Wayne
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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 09:22:10 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by DFreedom
Dude, I was just yanking your chain. I keep waiting for Bonzo to come up with a sarcasm font but he is too busy looking for a paddle board.
well done then! lol
hard to tell because they are so many SEC homers that really believe that playing in the best conference outweighs everything, and that if they go elsewhere its just because they are scared of competition.
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson |
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CaptFritz
Senior Member
7558 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 09:56:42 AM
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Lots of talk about a kid that will start his senior year in high school this fall. Wait until the year after next!!!
www.advoutdoors.com
"I have tomorrow open!" |
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Bonzo72
Prolific Poster
11070 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 10:02:42 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by DFreedom
Dude, I was just yanking your chain. I keep waiting for Bonzo to come up with a sarcasm font but he is too busy looking for a paddle board.
and I wasn't even gonna comment about Clemson winning the national title on this thread...now you done done it!
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org |
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CaptFritz
Senior Member
7558 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 12:25:18 PM
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Tell us about how good Clemson was during the Eisenhower era.
www.advoutdoors.com
"I have tomorrow open!" |
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shevlin
Senior Member
3893 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 2:55:33 PM
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Enlighten us Fritz!
"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
Hunter S. Thompson |
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Phin
Prolific Poster
12903 Posts |
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Nkemdiche vs Clowney
