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Medical: All 32 NFL Clubs have had full access to Da'Quan's records since January and have had the opportunity to physically examine him at least twice. As such, they have known the specifics detailed below for quite some time.

On January 4, 2011, Da'Quan underwent an arthroscopic procedure that included what is, technically, a very small chondroplasty to a non-weight bearing area of his knee.

The surgeon, Dr. Larry Bowman, observed, arthroscopically, a very healthy knee with no signs of arthritis. Based on the specifics of Da'Quan's knee and the small size of the area addressed, it was described to us as follows: while chondroplasty can involve "drilling", Da'Quan had the equivalent of "scratching".

In other words, along the continuum, it was very minor.  So minor that Da'Quan was off crutches and bearing weight only 3 days after surgery. Thereafter, Da'Quan progressed on a conservative rehab protocol that emphasized protection of the healing process, as opposed to the typical combine prep performance training.

As to his progress and the feedback from the medical recheck, every team we've spoken to, including multiple GMs, has said that, overall, Da'Quan's knee has shown good healing, has continued to get better since the Combine, and, perhaps most importantly, showed absolutely no acute or remote ill-effects as a result of his April 1 workout (i.e. no swelling, no increase in laxity, etc.).

We know of at least two "stations" (multiple doctors) at the re-check who improved his grade from the Combine.  In short, their doctors indicated that the fact that the knee didn't swell up after a full pro-day workout, followed immediately by a week of visiting teams via air travel (which can increase swelling) is clearly a very positive sign. Bottom line: if it's holding up from a pounding in April, it should clearly hold up in August.

As to films, the Combine films showed no onset of arthritis and since Da'Quan had no swelling, contrary to some reports, or other symptoms at the recheck, no new films were taken.

At the recheck, there was the expected finding of a strength deficit in his right (surgical) leg as compared to his left, as measured by the Cybex test.

But each person who has mentioned this deficit has also stated the following: (1) that this deficit is simply a muscular deficit due to "detraining effects" (lost strength because he was limited by rehab protocol), (2) that Da'Quan will regain his normal strength in the right leg, and (3) that there are questions as to the validity of isokinetic testing like the Cybex in the first place. So, as with all the findings, each club will weight this very differently.

The reality is that clubs will ultimately judge Da'Quan's workout on April 1 and the recheck in the context of the training limitations placed upon him by the medical team overseeing his rehab, including Dr. James Andrews.  The fact that Da'Quan spent the VAST majority of his time prior to April 1 focused on rehabilitation, NOT performance or strength training, is significant.  This focus was designed to ensure complete healing and protect the long-term integrity of Da'Quan's knee, something that benefits both Da'Quan and the club that selects him. And, in this context, while his numbers were not satisfactory to Da'Quan or indicative of his true athleticism, he still managed to perform a 34.5" vertical jump and a 7.1 three-cone on raw ability.

Obviously, sources and opinions on any prospect with a medical history will vary from team to team, doctor to doctor, trainer to trainer and GM to GM. We have received no reports of "arthritis" being present. We have received no indications that Da'Quan will need another surgery. No team has even remotely suggested to us that he's a risk in year one or will need a redshirt year.  Clearly there are both objective and subjective sides to every medical issue.  Given that context, we understand that comfort-levels will vary team by team.  Dr. Andrews' comfort-level was such that he said Da'Quan should "be able to resume his professional football career without any problems" and that he has a "good prognosis for his career."

Again, NONE of this is news to the NFL decision-makers or team doctors. All 32 NFL Clubs have had full access to Da'Quan's records since January and have had the opportunity to physically examine him at least twice.  With this knowledge, Top 10 teams brought him in all last week and continue to bring Da'Quan in for visits this week. All of these clubs are strongly considering selecting him with their first pick, not based upon a potential medical downside, but because of Da'Quan's film, smarts, character and tremendous physical upside.

Latest: 12/09/10 - Da’Quan Bowers has won the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the best defensive player in college football. A 6-foot-4, 275-pound junior, Bowers led the nation this year with 15.5 sacks. He also ranked second nationally with 25 tackles for losses. Bowers dedicated the 2010 season to his father, Dennis, who died this summer. Currently, he ranks as the No. 1 defensive end in the nation, according to the NFL Draft Bible Big Board, which includes eligible underclassmen.

Skinny: While the South Carolina native clearly deserves to be listed behind Robert Quinn and Marcel Dareus, one wouldn’t be far off if they wanted to argue that Bowers is every bit as talented as our top two junior defensive ends. At 6’4” and 280 pounds the Tiger is blessed with a prototypical frame for a four-three defensive end. Coupled with his rare athleticism for a man of the size, Bowers has the potential to be a dominant two-way player at the next level. He is already a very reliable tackler, having racked up an impressive 105 stops in his first two seasons as a collegian. Bowers is a powerful player with the base to anchor against the run, play with leverage and shed blockers to make the stop. As a pass rusher he has also displayed an impressive bull rush with the ability to collapse the pocket and force the quarterback to the perimeter. It would be a mistake to consider the defensive end a one-dimensional player who relies purely on brute strength. In high school he rumbled for over 1,200 yards as a senior and averaged 40 yards on kick returns. How many defensive ends can say that? You can see why some scouting services had Bowers rated as the top player coming out of high school. We have seen his potential as an impact player—eight tackles for loss against the run—but if he truly wants to be an elite defensive prospect Bowers needs to start getting to the quarterback. Four sacks in two seasons simply won’t cut it. At the very least we’d like to see him double that total in 2010, if not reach double figures. Not to undervalue the importance of playing the run, but to be considered a premier defensive end at any level you are measured by sacks. - Scouting Defensive Ends: Class of 2012

Scout's Take

On pure talent and potential an argument can be made that the defensive end is one of the top-five players in college football. The term ‘body beautiful’ was invented to describe players like Bowers. Coming out of high school this Tiger was considered by many to be the highest rated recruit in the country, regardless of position. On the field Bowers is one of the most natural defensive linemen in the country when it comes to playing the run. The ACC product loves getting into the pads of offensive linemen and manhandling them like rag dolls. He is so powerful it is not uncommon to see him toss aside a tackle and blow the ball carrier up in the backfield before he even hits the line of scrimmage. While not as natural rushing the passer, Bowers has a very high ceiling in this regard; his first step is good enough to beat tackles to the outside and he is strong enough to overpower linemen and collapse the pocket. When it comes to rushing the passer Bowers is very raw. The fact of the matter is that despite Bowers’ unlimited physical ability his game is not where it should be. Because of the unfulfilled potential, Bowers has perhaps the most volatile draft stock of any prospect. It’s not hard to imagine him, should he choose to declare, going anywhere from top five overall in the 2011 NFL Draft to somewhere late in the second round if he doesn’t make major strides as a sack artist.

Scout's Notebook

10/02/10 - vs. Miami - After a quiet first half, defensive end DeQuan Bowers came alive after intermission. The junior had a sack and four tackles for loss among his six stops, sprinkling in a quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles for good measure. With Clemson down 27-21 and in desperate need of the ball, Bowers blew by highly touted true-freshman Seantrel Henderson for the sack-strip daily double despite the fact that the frosh held him, or at least tried to. Bowers, who has 24 tackles, four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss through four games, appears headed to a first round selection in the NFL draft. This week Swinney said, “Da'Quan Bowers is playing as well as anyone in the country.” It’s hard to disagree. - Scout's Notebook: Miami @ Clemson