Falcons contacted Clowney to set up private workout

Jadeveon Clowney at the podium talking to the media on Saturday of the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, after his Pro Day work out on Wednesday, said the Atlanta Falcons contacted him to setup a private workout.

The Falcons hold the sixth pick in the NFL draft, which is set for May 8-10.

Clowney is considered the top player available in the draft and likely will not be available when the Falcons pick. The team would have to move up to select the All-America pass rusher.

The Falcons were well represented at South Carolina’s Pro Day by defensive line coach Bryan Cox, outside linebackers coach Mark Collins and Southeast scout Anthony Robinson.

Clowney has said that he’d like to play for the Atlanta Falcons, who hold the No. 6 pick in the draft.

Clowney, is a 6-foot-6, 266-pounder from Rock Hill, S.C., who was named a first-team All-American in his final two seasons at South Carolina.

Clowney had 13 sacks as a sophomore and three sacks as a junior, when he appeared to take some plays off.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Clowney will be picked No. 1 overall by Houston or No. 3 overall by Jacksonville.

Clowney ran the 40-yard dash in a 4.53 seconds at the combine, the fastest by a defensive lineman at this year’s NFL combine. He broad jumped 124 inches, the best among defensive linemen, and had a vertical jump of 37.5 inches, the second-best among defensive linemen.

Michael Cunningham, who attended the Pro Day, will have a story up later on MyAJC.com.

Here are the Falcons draft picks:

Round 1 – No. 6 overall

  • Round 2 – No. 37 overall
  • Round 3 – No. 68 overall
  • Round 4 – No. 103 overall
  • Round 4 – No. 139 overall (compensatory)
  • Round 5 – No. 147 overall
  • Round 6 – No. 182 overall
  • Round 7 – No. 220 overall
  • Round 7 – No. 253 overall (compensatory)
  • Round 7 – No. 255 overall (compensatory)

FALCONS REWIND

--Blog: Falcons are not switching to a 3-4 defense front, they've been using it for past 2 seasons

--Blog: New jersey numbers picked; Devin Hester to wear No. 17

--Blog: Falcons awarded three compensatory picks

--Blog: Lamar Holmes was a performance-pay leader in 2014

--Blog: Umenyiora will return in 2014, no restructured deal

--Blog: Falcons release FB Bradie Ewing

--Blog: Falcons WR Roddy White owes Mercer fan some prime tickets

--Blog: Falcons owner Arthur Blank engaged to be married.

--Blog: Former Falcons WR Kevin Cone to work out for Carolina

--Blog: Falcons re-sign defensive tackle Peria Jerry

--Blog: NFL to move forward on cleaning up 'on-field' language

--MyAJC ($): Falcons spend $80 million in free agency to buy toughness

--Las Vegas doesn't like Falcons' free agency moves

--Falcons Free Agency Tracker -- Falcons have committed $107.36 million to salaries 

--Q&A with PR/KR/WR Devin Hester

--Q&A with Falcons right guard Jon Asamoah

--Q&A with Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson

--Q&A with Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai

2014 NFL DRAFT CENTRAL

--Mock Draft 1.0: Falcons trade out of sixth spot to land Pryor and Ebron

--12 teams who could draft UGA star Aaron Murray

--Louisville LB Preston Brown to work out for the Falcons

--Louisville DE Marcus Smith to work out for the Falcons

--MyAJC ($): OT Greg Robinson, DE Dee Ford shine at Auburn's Pro Day

--VIDEO: Tackle Greg Robinson on Auburn's Pro Day

--VIDEO: Running back Tra Mason on Auburn's Pro Day

--Blog & VIDEO: Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has stellar Pro Day showing

--VIDEO: Clemson WR Sammy Watkins on his Pro Day