A South Carolina Gamecock legend was left off a list of the top 25 college football players since 2000, raising eyebrows among fans.
In a recent article, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman ranked the 25 best players of the modern college football era, featuring standout names like Cam Newton, Reggie Bush, and Sean Taylor. However, notable by his absence was former South Carolina defensive star Jadeveon Clowney.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s dominant forces during his college years, Clowney’s omission is surprising to many. The list included elite defensive linemen such as Julius Peppers, Aaron Donald, Chase Young, and Ndamukong Suh—all deserving picks—but Clowney’s college résumé suggests he belongs in that conversation too.
Take Chase Young for example: he wrapped up his college career with 99 tackles, 30.5 sacks, and 43 tackles for loss, including a 2019 season with 46 tackles, 21 TFLs, and 16.5 sacks. Clowney, over three years, recorded 129 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, and 24 sacks. His standout 2012 season saw him post 54 tackles, 24 TFLs, and 13 sacks.
The point isn’t necessarily that Clowney was better than Young, but rather that his production and impact make a compelling case for inclusion—especially when Young landed at No. 16 on Feldman’s list.
Regardless of the snub, Clowney remains one of the greatest players to wear a South Carolina jersey and is undoubtedly among the most influential college football stars of the 21st century.
