Jaguars Could Add Former Clemson Rival in Late Offseason Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 1:37 PM ET

He once terrorized Clemson quarterbacks in college — now he might suit up for the NFL team lead by Clemson great Trevor Lawrence.

According to a new ESPN offseason proposal, the Jacksonville Jaguars are being encouraged to sign veteran pass rusher and former South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney. The 12-year NFL veteran is still on the open market and could be a fit for a Jaguars team looking to add depth behind Josh Hines-Allen and former No. 1 pick Travon Walker.

Clowney, who starred for the Gamecocks during one of the most heated chapters of the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry, is a name Tigers fans haven’t forgotten. His infamous hit on Michigan’s Vincent Smith may have earned national headlines, but Clemson fans remember him best for his disruptive performances against the Tigers in Columbia and Death Valley.

While the Jaguars already have a strong starting duo, questions linger about their rotational depth at edge rusher. Emmanuel Ogbah and Myles Cole are currently next in line, but ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes Clowney is a better fit, particularly against the run — a skill that could complement Walker’s athleticism on the other side.

Clowney is coming off a solid 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers, tallying 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. If Jacksonville pulls the trigger, it would mark Clowney’s seventh NFL stop and add an interesting twist to his long career arc — one that started with dominance in the SEC.

The crisp autumn air hummed with the electric tension of the Palmetto Bowl, a rivalry steeped in decades of fierce competition. It was the 2012 game, a contest that would forever be etched into the lore of the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry, largely due to one player: Jadeveon Clowney.

The former South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end was an unstoppable force that day, a whirlwind of speed and power that terrorized the Clemson offense. He racked up 4.5 sacks, a single-game school record that left spectators in awe and became a cornerstone of the Gamecocks' 27-17 victory.

Clowney's dominance wasn't just a key factor in that win; it became a legendary moment, still fondly recounted by fans when recalling the rivalry's most iconic performances, even as the Tigers largely claimed victory in the years that followed.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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