University of South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney has downplayed reports and ESPN coverage this week of him possibly violating NCAA rules by speaking to Jay-Z about joining Roc Nation Sports in the future.
Following an ESPN interview with his school, Clowney publicly name-checked the popular sports network.
“Come on ESPN just playing football,” Clowney tweeted July 23.
“Ready for the season love the game” (Jadeveon Clowney’s Twitter)
On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Chris Fowler talked to Clowney’s head coach Steve Spurrier about the controversy.
“All of our conversations [with Clowney] are wait until you have played your last game at South Carolina. When the bowl game is over this coming season he’s free to accept any amount of money anybody wants to give him. But until then he has to be a student-athlete like all the other guys or he’s not going to be eligble. He’s done a good job of knowing that.” (ESPN)
Yesterday, reports about the school’s athletics department looking into the matter surfaced across the ‘net.
An Instagram account believed to be operated by Clowney posted a link to an article discussing the report. Below the post was written “You kno [sic] we about to turn up. Dream coming true.” NCAA bylaws prevent players from agreeing in writing or verbally to be represented by an agent. Any athlete who does is ruled ineligible. However, an agent can talk to players as long as they provide no services to that athlete. (WLTX News)
Reports of Jadeveon sparking Young Hov’s interest made its rounds online hours prior.
Now, Inside the League is reporting that Jay has been keeping in contact with Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina, who is projected to be a top three pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Not a bad haul for Roc Nation Sports, if the report is true. Of course, we’ll have to wait until next year to see if this actually happens. So, keep an eye out for Clowney throwing the diamond up after hits like this one. (Complex)