Gamecock great Jadeveon Clowney makes another Pro Bowl

Since Jadeveon Clowney is playing the best football of his NFL career, it’s fitting that the South Carolina Gamecocks legend was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Clowney was named to the Pro Bowl Tuesday, the second consecutive season the Rock Hill native has been honored by a berth in the NFL’s all-star game.

On the season, the former No. 1 overall draft pick out of USC has a career-best nine sacks, 50 tackles, 20 for a loss (second-best in the NFL), 20 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles playing defensive end/linebacker for the Houston Texans.

Clowney has had his best NFL season without former Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt on the field to draw attention from opposing offenses. Watt took to Twitter to congratulate his teammate.

In addition to being the focus of every opponent’s schemes, Clowney has dealt with a nagging knee injury that briefly sidelined him earlier this season. In spite of all that, he’s returning to the Pro Bowl.

Clowney was also named second-team All-Pro last season. He could be in the running for more recognition once again.

Clowney built a strong body of work at USC. During three seasons with the Gamecocks before turning pro, he was a two-time All-American and two-time All-SEC First Team selection. That includes 2012, when he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and also won the Ted Hendricks Award.

Joining Clowney in the Pro Bowl will be fellow USC alum Pharoh Cooper. He was named the return specialist for the NFC team, making the Pro Bowl for the first time in his second season in the NFL.

Clowney’s current teammate DeAndre Hopkins was also named to the Pro Bowl. The former Clemson Tigers star is one of the best wide receivers in the league this season and this is his second Pro Bowl selection.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 8:21 PM with the headline "Gamecock great Jadeveon Clowney makes another Pro Bowl."