Jadeveon Clowney Heading to South Carolina As Steve Spurrier, Gamecocks Receive Nation’s No. 1 Recruit

It was quite the Valentine's Day for one high school football phenom.

South Pointe High School senior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who is rated the No. 1 prospect for next year's freshman class, announced his football future live on ESPN on Monday.

The 18-year-old will keep his 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame in South Carolina and will play for Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

In the 2010 season, Clowney had 162 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles, six fumbles recovered, 43 quarterback pressures and five defensive touchdowns. South Pointe was 38-6 during his three varsity seasons.

Speculation had been mounting for the past few weeks, as other possible destinations included Clemson and Alabama.

Clowney refused to announce his future plans on National Signing Day, and instead, he did so on Monday — his 18th birthday. Friends and family members sang "Happy Birthday" to him immediately following his announcement on national TV.