Dec. 7, 2011

University of South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the 12 league coaches, the conference office announced today.

Clowney, a 6-6, 254-pounder from Rock Hill, S.C., was one of two freshman named to the All-SEC second team by the coaches on Tuesday. Clowney was credited with 32 tackles on the season. He was ninth in the SEC with 6.0 sacks, the only freshman in the top 20, and was tied for 14th in the league with 10.0 tackles for loss. He also tied for third in the SEC and tied for eighth in the country with five forced fumbles.

It’s the second straight year that a Gamecock has been named the league’s top freshman. Marcus Lattimore won the award following the 2010 campaign.

Other individual awards announced today as selected by the coaches include:

Offensive Player of the Year – Trent Richardson, Alabama

Defensive Player of the Year – Morris Claiborne, LSU

Special Teams Player of the Year – Joe Adams, Arkansas

Jacobs Blocking Trophy – Barrett Jones, Alabama

Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Barrett Jones, Alabama

Coach of the Year – Les Miles, LSU