Ask Farrell: Is Chase Young more dominant than Jadeveon Clowney?
When it comes to elite defensive ends during the Rivals era dating back to 2002, Jadeveon Clowney has been the standard bearer.
The Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe standout was the No. 1 prospect in the 2011 class. He went to South Carolina where he starred over three seasons, especially as a sophomore when Clowney had 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.
Over his career with the Gamecocks, Clowney totaled 47 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. Then he went on to be the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick and he’s still making a major impact in the league.
If we ranked all the No. 1 prospects over the years for every recruiting class, there would be an excellent argument to have Clowney at the top of that list.
And then Chase Young came along.
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The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha prospect was ranked eighth overall in the 2017 class and he has absolutely surpassed even that lofty ranking at Ohio State, where he has now entered the Heisman Trophy conversation as he’s absolutely dominated.
If Charles Woodson won the Heisman as a defensive player, then Young has every argument in the book to join that elite list as well.
Young has 16.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Over his three seasons with the Buckeyes, the former five-star has totaled 30.5 sacks (far better than Clowney) and 39 tackles for loss. Clowney finished his South Carolina career with 129 tackles; Young has 90 with a run to the College Football Playoff coming up.
FARRELL'S TAKE
We ask Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell whether he thinks Young has surpassed Clowney as a dominant college defensive end and like Clowney should go No.1 in the NFL Draft or if he would still give the edge to Clowney when it comes to complete dominance at the college level?
“It’s an interesting debate because Clowney started off his career stronger than Young but had a pedestrian junior year while Young is killing it. I’d say from bell to bell Young has been stronger, but we all know Clowney mailed in his junior year. Young should go No 1 overall, but quarterback needs are so important in the NFL, which makes it even more amazing that Clowney still became that no 1 overall guy. The simple answer — Young has been more consistent and more dominant than Clowney.”
