NFL Combine: Jadeveon Clowney Delivers, Michael Sam Disappoints

Two of the biggest stories going into, and coming out of, the NFL Combine this year were that of South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam. Each player was expected to perform, despite the heat created by the intense media spotlight focused on them both.

A spotlight in place for two very different reasons.

For Clowney, it’s due to his play on the field.

After two standout seasons with the Gamecocks, he was the subject of Heisman buzz prior to the start of the 2013 season. That buzz quickly died down as questions about Clowney’s conditioning and work ethic began to crop up after a disappointing start to the season.

Though for all the headlines his play generated throughout the season, much of them were overblown and sensationalized.

Clowney’s drop in production had as much, or more, to do with the extra attention he received from the opposition than any supposed lack of work ethic. Something he was eager to prove at the combine. Something he promised to deliver.

As for Sam, the spotlight on him is due to an announcement made recently off the field.

Earlier this month he made the decision to come out as gay, something he did with his Mizzou teammates during training camp last season. A bold and brave step that nobody in the league had ever taken before.

As the first openly gay draft prospect in NFL history, Sam was aware of the potential fervor his announcement would create. Although he recently said, “I just wish you guys would see me as Michael Sam the football player,” he certainly knew on some level he’d be seen as “Michael Sam the gay football player” instead. At least to start.

Both players had the opportunity to change the story with their performance at the combine, but only Clowney was successful in turning a negative into a positive. Sam, who received an outpouring of support after his announcement, failed to silence the critics who responded tersely: “Yeah…but can he play?”

By opting not to participate in position-specific drills cut to a “hip-flexor issue,” Clowney left some questions unanswered as his stay in Indianapolis drew to a close. But he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53, the fastest time for any DL at the combine this year.

He was measured at just over 6’5 and 266 pounds, with an 83-inch arm span—making him the ideal size for an edge rusher in the NFL. Clowney came in 10 pounds leaner than expected, which can be addressed prior to the start of next season and likely aided his speed.

According to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, “The GMs said that Clowney and his representatives simply chose to play to his strengths.”

Not a bad strategy, considering how overhyped the combine is by the football obsessed media. Clowney will have another chance to demonstrate his skills at his pro day in South Carolina on April 2nd.

Unfortunately for Sam, he didn’t fare quite as well.

Critics who questioned the motives behind his decision to come out were largely, and deservedly, dismissed. Though questions and concerns about his ability to perform at a pro level proved well founded at the combine.

Sam clocked a 4.91 40-yard dash, the same time as Princeton defensive tackle Caraun Reid, who has nearly 40 pounds on him. He benched 17 reps of 225 pounds, the third worst at his position. And Sam struggled mightily in the position-specific drills that Clowney had the luxury of being able to skip.

That’s not to say the SEC Defensive Player of the Year underperformed his way out of a job—he didn’t. Sam remains almost certain to be drafted come May, but not until the third round at the earliest. He’s projected as a mid-late round pick, while Clowney is expected to be selected in the Top 5.

We’ll see how Clowney and Sam fare in the 2014 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday May 8th and runs through Saturday May 10th.