Jadeveon Clowney Hit On Michigan Running Back Vincent Smith Goes Viral As Cocks Take Wolverines In Outback Bowl [VIDEO]

While the South Carolina Gamecocks rolled over the Michigan Wolverines in Tuesday’s Outback Bowl, the most memorable play of the game came when Gamecock defensive end Jadeveon Clowney burst into the backfield and plowed over Wolverines running back Vincent Smith.

(Click here to see Jadeveon Clowney's hit on Wolverines running back Vincent Smith)

The hit, which can be seen in the video above, forced a Wolverines fumble in the fourth quarter and led to a touchdown for Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks, who were trailing 22-21 with a little more than eight minutes to go.

In his second year as a South Carolina Gamecock, Clowney has secured a spot on many Heisman Trophy Watch lists for 2013 and also has arguable become the star of the 2012-13 bowl season.

Trending as the “hit heard ‘round the world,” Clowney’s steamroll over Smith, which knocked the helmet off the Michigan ball carrier, has prompted college football insiders to suggest that the South Carolina native is ready for the big time.

While the NFL requires that a player must be three years out of high school to be eligible for the draft, Clowney, who will turn 20 next month, is two years out.

Named the 2010 Defensive High School Player of the Year for his role at South Pointe High in South Carolina, Clowney had 162 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles, 6 fumbles recoveries, 43 quarterback pressures and five defensive touchdowns for that season alone.

South Pointe was 38-6 during his three varsity seasons as Clowney was named by ESPN, as well as Scouts and Rivals, as the top college football recruiting prospect in the nation leading into the 2011 NCAA Signing Day, (Feb. 2, 2011). On Feb. 14, 2011, his 18th birthday, Clowney committed to the University of South Carolina.

After 12 regular season games, during which Clowney helped the Gamecocks achieve a 10-2 record (6-2 SEC), he is second in the nation for total sacks in a season.

In addition to being a Consensus All-American, Clowney won the Ted Hendricks Award and finished 6th overall in the 2012 Heisman list.