As dominant as Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney can be, he's never had a double-digit sack season.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection has excelled more as a run-stopper and has lacked a signature pass-rushing move.

Clowney has 29 career sacks and is an unsigned franchise-tagged player expected to miss at least a major portion of training camp and the preseason prior to signing a $15.9 million tender,

Devoting himself to increasing his knowledge of rushing the passer, Clowney participated in retired nine-time Pro Bowl selection Julius Peppers' inaugural pass rushing camp this week in Miami.

At the camp, Clowney interacted with Peppers, who has 159½ career sacks, elite pass-rushing specialist coach Chuck Smith, a retired former Falcons standout who had 58½ career sacks, retired Colts Pro Bowl pass rusher Robert Mathis, who has 123 career sacks and Under Armour All-American defensive line coach Nathan O'Neal. Fellow NFL players Gerald McCoy, Bruce Hector and Da'Shawn Hand also attended the camp.

Clowney, entering his sixth season after being the first overall pick in the 2014 draft, left a strong impression on the coaches.

"I thought JD was a humble guy who is really open to learning new stuff," said Smith, who has known Clowney for several years. "He really wants to be great and improve his pass-rush technique. He's a really good person and he deserves the success because he's putting in the work. I think he's going to have a good year. He has added some signature pass rushing moves.

"I think this is really awesome. What Peppers is trying to do is prepare them and help get them ready for the season. It's always special when you're able to pass on some knowledge."

Clowney has 18½ sacks over the past two seasons. He has been named to the past three Pro Bowls.

"Sometimes, it takes different players different times to take that next step," Smith said. "Everybody matures at a different rate. His potential is off the charts. Now, he's putting in a different kind of work with his skills. The pass rush training is going to pay big dividends and increase his pass rushing IQ. This is a different way of looking at pass rushing so it resonates more. He's around guys who have had success and are proven. I'm really excited about Jadeveon.

"It's a blessing. I'm here as a resource for any players to not only learn, but for fellowship. JD has a long career ahead of him. He has found the right recipe. It's an never-ending quest to be great. That's what it takes. We've all had double-digit sack seasons as players and now we're teachers."

The potential of Clowney, if he polishes his current moves and adds new ones, is intriguing. O'Neal works with several Texans players, including D.J. Reader, Charles Omenihu, Carlos Watkins, Davin Bellamy and Chris Landrum, and plans to get together with them for some workouts in Houston prior to training camp

"Outstanding dude, a guy who is thirsting for knowledge and information and wanting to learn as much as he possibly can," O'Neal said of Clowney. "He has a really strong work ethic and has been an absolute pleasure to be around. He's got incredible length, ability to play with leverage, very heavy-handed hands. To be around Julius, who did it for such a long time and is a high-character human being, I don't think Clowney could ask for a better person to learn from a mentoring standpoint."

On social media, Clowney appears to be enjoying the experience during a video with Smith.

"He worked me today," Clowney said."I learned at the top from one of the best, Chuck Smith, the guru."