Carolina Panthers edge rusher and former South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney says he was perfectly fine with coming back to Clemson for the Panthers Fan Fest.
In honor of their 30th season, the Panthers had their Fan Fest event on Thursday at Clemson, the site of the Panthers’ home games during the team’s inaugural season in 1995.
Following the event, Clowney spoke to the media about being back in Clemson, when asked if he has fond memories there.
“Oh yeah. It’s always fun when you’re winning, definitely,” said Clowney, whose South Carolina teams went 3-0 against Clemson, including a win at Death Valley in 2012 when Clowney had 4.5 sacks. “I had no problem coming back because I know what happened here when I was here, So, it was good. It was plenty of love in the building today. I had a good time.”
Clowney went on to say that Clemson has “one of the best recruiting setups” and he’s “got big love” for head coach Dabo Swinney.
Of course, Swinney and the Tigers recruited Clowney when he was a five-star in-state prospect and the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the 2011 class. Clemson made a late hard push for his services before he ultimately announced his commitment to South Carolina over Clemson and Alabama on Feb. 14, 2011.
“They’ve probably got one of the best recruiting setups when you come down, hang out with the team, and Dabo Swinney and his whole staff probably set it up very nice. That’s how they get all the guys to commit here,” Clowney said.
“I got big love for Dabo,” Clowney added, “and he got a couple of my guys over there, Rumph (Clemson defensive ends coach Chris Rumph), who recruited me. It’s just crazy to come back at this time and see them guys still doing it at a high level, and hope they have a good season this year still.”
Before Clemson’s first practice of fall camp on Thursday, Swinney spoke about seeing Clowney in the Tigers’ indoor practice facility.
“Got to see Clowney out there. Had a little fun with him. Finally got him to Clemson,” Swinney joked. “Doggone it. Finally got him here, practicing in the indoor (practice facility).”
Clowney, an 11-year NFL veteran, is entering his first season with the Panthers in 2024 after signing with the team in March free agency.
A first-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2014, the 31-year-old has accumulated 363 total tackles, 99 tackles for loss and 52.5 sacks over his pro career with the Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021-22) and Baltimore Ravens (2023).
–Photo courtesy Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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