CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jadeveon Clowney has signed late in past offseasons, so for the Carolina Panthers to ink the former No. 1 overall pick in March was huge for the franchise.
Clowney, a Rock Hill native and South Carolina Gamecocks legend, reported to a mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
The outside linebacker had participated in the team's first round of voluntary workouts but chose to skip OTA's in favor of training in the Houston heat. Now, he's back home.
"I'm loving it," Clowney said. "I've been with my grandparents, and mom and kids every day. After work, I go home. I'm enjoying it."
Clowney, 31, is on his sixth team. Last year, he enjoyed one of his finest seasons in the NFL, recording 9.5 sacks for the Baltimore Ravens.
He says the Carolina defense under coordinator Ejiro Evero reminds him of the 3-4 scheme he ran in Houston. It's worth pointing out that Clowney's three Pro Bowl appearances were as a member of the Texans, and he tallied most of his career sacks and tackles for loss there.
"I'm just trying to carry over here what I learned from other teams," Clowney said. "I was young and getting traded around, I was learning. At this point, I'm trying to teach guys what I learned. Really about having a positive attitude every day."
Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.