COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Jadeveon Clowney believes hes the NFLs No. 1 draft pick and says he took a big step toward that goal during South Carolinas pro day workouts Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound defensive end did position drills in front of dozens of NFL personnel, including Houston head coach Bill OBrien and Jacksonville head coach Gus Bradley. And Clowney thinks he elevated his already elite status during the 40 minutes or so of running through cones, jumping over hurdles and catching tennis balls in workouts he passed on at the NFL combine in February. "Yes, I do feel like I should be the first pick," Clowney said after the session. Clowney did not lift weights or run the 40-yard dash, standing on his combine showings when he did 21 reps at 225 pounds and clocked a 4.53-second time. He also felt he eased anyones concerns about his work ethic. He was considered by many the No. 1 pick after his sophomore season in 2012, when he had 13 sacks and closed it with his helmet-jarring hit on Michigans Vincent Smith in the Outback Bowl. The footage of the hit was seemingly shown daily on highlight shows and Clowney immediately became a Heisman Trophy favourite, analysts projecting record-setting sack numbers. But Clowney couldnt live up to the expectations as injuries and opponents schemed him out of plays. He finished with a disappointing three sacks. A midseason tiff with coach Steve Spurrier -- Clowney pulled himself out of the Kentucky game with a rib muscle strain without following proper protocol -- intensified questions about Clowneys work habits and going hard every play. "I think my work ethic is pretty good. I think I proved that today, but Ive still got a lot of proving to do," he said. There were 30 of 32 NFL teams represented with Tennessee and Cleveland opting to pass on South Carolinas pro day. Clowney spent Tuesday night at dinner with the Texans, including OBrien, defensive co-ordinator Romeo Crennel and general manager Rick Smith. Clowney thought the visit went well and he answered their questions about what hed bring to the Texans if they took him with the top selection in Mays draft. Houstons leaders liked what they saw of Clowney on the field. "I thought he had a good day. He worked hard and did a bunch of different drills, which was good to see," said OBrien, the Texans first-year coach. Smith was happy to see Clowney move easily in space should the Texans draft him and use him at outside linebacker spot. Clowneys got a quick first step that lets him fly past offensive lineman, but hes also got sustained speed that allows him to chase down opponents other defensive lineman cant. "He could absolutely play outside linebacker for us," Smith said. Clowney wasnt the only former Gamecock player working out. Leading receiver Bruce Ellington, offensive lineman Ronald Patrick and quarterback Connor Shaw -- all projected to go in the draft -- also worked out for NFL scouts and leaders. But the show, as its been since he packed a high-school auditorium on Valentines Day 2011 for his college selection, was the easygoing, hard-charging Clowney. Several hundred fans that turned out cheered his every move and gave him a loud farewell when the defensive linemen wrapped up their portion of drills. "I just wish I had pads on and could hit somebody," Clowney said with a smile. Clowney has individual workouts scheduled with the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons. Houstons Smith says Clowney will also visit the Texans complex before next months draft. While OBrien said his teams draft plans were still wide open -- the Texans traded starting quarterback Matt Schaub this off-season -- Clowney hopes hes made himself a bit harder to pass up. Clowney thought a defensive line that included himself and All-Pro end J.J. Watt would be unstoppable. "Id be great, a great fit for them," Clowney said. Clowney acknowledged it was a point of pride for him that he arrived at South Carolina as the No. 1 high school prospect and leaves as the NFLs top choice. "Im just going to keep on pushing," he said, "all the way to the draft." Dallas Stars Jerseys . 2015 Oscar nomination pending. Here is an open letter from Steven Stamkos to his fans: When I shot this final Moment Zero film last August, it was a fun few days on set with Coke Zero and Jordan Eberle in my hometown of Markham. Bobby Smith Jersey . The Big Man finished 3-1 in Week 19, and sits at 53-24 on the season. Now Schultz is ready for more action. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/jon-casey-hockey-jersey/ . Instead, Nonis and Kessel were sorting through the fallout of a wild melee with the Buffalo Sabres, one that saw Kessel suspended for the duration of the pre-season. Brett Hull Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Dino Ciccarelli Jersey .Before a raucous sellout crowd, the Hawks won for the 29th time in 31 games to extend their Eastern-best record to 36-8.As usual, pretty much everyone chipped in.Four starters were in double figures and backup point guard Dennis Schroder led a spurt at the start of the fourth quarter that helped the Hawks pull away. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Saints owner Tom Benson has been treated and released from a hospital after he had trouble breathing while watching practice. Team spokesman Greg Bensel says the 87-year-old Benson is "fine" after being given oxygen. Bensel says doctors at a hospital in Lewisburg put Benson through a series of tests and "did not find any issues or complications." Bensel says Benson apparently has struggled with the altitude and dehydration at times during training camp in the Allegheny Mountains.ddddddddddddThe Saints practice fields are at an elevation of about 2,000 feet, whereas much of New Orleans is at sea level. Benson also was treated for similar dehydration symptoms on July 29, but hasnt missed any training camp practices, which began on July 25. ' ' '