Houston Texans select Jadeveon Clowney No. 1 overall

The Houston Texans made it official Thursday evening as they selected South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall selection.

After months of debates and deliberation, Clowney has been chosen to help rebuild the Texans defense and to play opposite of NFL All-Pro J.J. Watt, who’ll be entering his fourth season with the Texans.

Nov 2, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) stands on the sidelines during a timeout against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 34-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Clowney was the odds-on favorite to be selected as the No. 1 overall selection, being described by many as the best player and talent in the 2014 NFL Draft.

In three years at South Carolina, Clowney recorded 130 tackles (85 solo) and 24 sacks. In 2013, Clowney had his breakout collegiate season, recording 54 tackles (40 solo) and 13 sacks.

This past season, Clowney didn’t play a full season, as he finished with 40 tackles (28 solo) with three sacks.

Clowney drafted No. 1 overall

For his three-year collegiate career, he forced nine fumbles.

The Texans automatically make themselves a contender in the AFC South once again with their new defensive player, as they have one of the most imposing and potentially best defensive duos in all the NFL with Clowney and Watt rushing the likes of Indianapolis Colts quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick (2012) Andrew Luck.

This is the third time in franchise history the Texans have selected No. 1 overall, as they drafted defensive end Mario Williams (’06) and quarterback David Carr (’02). Neither player is currently on the Texans roster.