This year at the NFL Scouting Combine, Jadeveon Clowney the 266 pound defensive end tore up the tracks when he ran a 4.5 forty yard dash, and looked like a physical specimen. I cannot remember watching a player look this good since 2008 when Vernon Gholston the 266 pound Ohio State product put up crazy numbers at the Scouting Combine. Before Gholston, Mario Williams put up ridiculous numbers at the Combine which ultimately landed him as the first overall pick in 2006.

Mario Williams the former NC State standout finished his junior year, recording 14.5 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss. He was a force for the Wolfpack, and when it was his time to shine at the Scouting Combine he killed it. He ran a 4.7 40, recorded a vertical leap of 40.5 inches and pumped out 35 reps on the bench press. His performance ultimately landed him first overall to the Houston Texans when the team decided to select him over Reggie Bush and hometown hero Vince Young. I remember the Texans fans lustily booed the choice and many commentators panned it as one of the worst picks ever, but that was not the case. Williams is a three time All-Pro and in 2012 signed a monster free-agent deal with the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, Reggie Bush is still trying to find his niche in the league and Vince Young was actually Williams’ teammate in Buffalo for a few weeks in Buffalo before getting cut. Vince Young is still looking for a job.

When you fast forward to 2008, the next big physical specimen was Vernon Gholston. At Ohio State, Vernon Gholston was recognized for his athleticism and lauded for his physical tools. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound specimen ran the 40 in under 4.6 seconds, tied the combine record at the time with 37 reps of the 225 bench press, and notched a 41-inch vertical leap. The New York Jets fell in love with Gholston and grabbed him with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 draft. Vernon Gholston was labeled a work out warrior, and he has not been in the NFL since 2012, after being released by the St. Louis Rams.

So here is the question I have for our readers, Will Jadeveon Clowney be the next Mario Williams or Vernon Gholston?

The South Carolina defensive end logged a 4.53 in his first attempt at the scouting combine, faster than Johnny Manziel and a time that would have made him the 14th-fastest running back at the combine. Clowney proved why he is one of the most compelling defensive prospects in recent memory at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, posting a best official 40-yard-dash time of 4.53, a broad jump of 10’4″ and a vertical leap of 37.5 inches. So let’s open the discussion, should the Texans pass on Clowney, or take the Boos once again for taking the Best Player Available?