When the Houston Texans took Jadeveon Clowney with the first-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the selection was met with both a tired expectation after months of speculation and a fair amount of concern over his projected move from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker.
Clowney, one of the most physically impressive prospects to enter the league in recent years, looked like a man among boys even as a sophomore at South Carolina. He came into the NFL to much fanfare over his limitless potential but also questions over his work ethic and will to succeed - some of which emanated from his own coach at SC.
Once he finally donned a Texans uniform and took to the field, Clowney very much looked the part, but failed to offer much in the way of impact, finishing his rookie season with only seven tackles in four games before a knee injury landed him on injured reserve.
That injury, at first thought only to be a meniscus tear, instead evolved into a situation severe enough as to require the dreaded microfracture surgery.
It may now have placed Clowney's future career prospects squarely in jeopardy.
"I've spoken with a number of people since the Senior Bowl who have openly said there is serious concern over Jadeveon Clowney's future," writes Tony Pauline of Draft Insider. "A variety of opinions have come from numerous sources, including those close to the Texans. I've heard everything from don't expect much from Clowney in 2015 to the belief he may struggle to ever regain full health from the microfracture surgery. The reasoning for the latter is Clowney underwent the procedure at an early age."
Texans GM Rick Smith and head coach Bill O'Brien both voiced positivity on Clowney's return from the surgery - expected to sideline him for nine months - at their NFL scouting combine press conference's Thursday, with Smith stating that he still believes the young outside 'backer "can be an impactful player and reach his potential" and O'Brien saying that he believes Clowney is "on the right track."
Clowney, who turned 22 less than a week ago, still has plenty of time to steer his nascent NFL career in the right direction.
A player with a reputation for a questionable work ethic facing an injury known to require a serious and severe commitment makes that prospect a potentially difficult one, though - even for a guy with Clowney's prodigious natural gifts.
