Officials say they would eject Jadeveon Clowney for 'The Hit'

South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney had 13 sacks last season and was SEC defensive Player of the Year. (Getty Images)

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has gotten the attention of the nation's quarterbacks, saying last week that several of them, including Georgia's Aaron Murray and Clemson's Tajh Boyd, were scared of him.

This week, an official from the ACC had his say about Clowney's hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith during last year's Outback Bowl.

ACC officiating supervisor Doug Rhoads said during the ACC media days on Monday that he would have flagged Clowney for targeting. This season, "targeting" will result in an automatic ejection. Clowney was not flagged for the hit on Smith.

Clowney, who had 13 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles last season, was a first-team All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

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At the Big 12 media day, Fox Sports officiating consultant Mike Pereira was asked how he would have officiated the play.

"[E]ach conference has talked to their officials and the philsophy is when in doubt, throw ...

"Remember what you're dealing with in targeting. It's the crown of the head. Not simply the helmet, but the crown of your head. Not the forehead. You're looking for a guy hitting who is looking at the ground."

"Boy ..."

"If I'm an official, based on 'when in doubt,' he's out. He's ejected. And when that goes to replay there's no way they overturn it. There's a great potential that hit causes an ejection this year."