So he'd be like working at a 7-11 mornings and working out in the afternoon and evenings? If he goes to the CFL or arena league he still could get hurt. He'd get paid, but in a way he is getting paid an education right now. And room and board. It seems like a good idea to sit...it worked for that USC receiver Williams. Didn't work for Clarett at all. But out of sight, out of mind and suddenly a bunch of new guys become all the rage and they run as fast as you and they lift as much as you and they played. Now what? Now instead of being a top pick you're the 10th pick in the 2nd round or you're the 27th pick or something.
Get an insurance policy. There are all sorts of injuries that didn't hurt people's draft stock that bad. Look at Willis McGahee.
McGahee went from top ten to barely in the first round.
Latimore went from top ten to maybe even undrafted, but I think most everyone would be shocked if he was a first round pick at all. Latimore is Clowney's teammate. He saw first hand what an injury could do to you.
Clowney wouldn't work. His whole job would be about getting ready for the NFL. He would be working out, working on skills, watching film, etc. His agent would be paying for all of that as an advance so he wouldn't need the money. He could also get sponsorships and what not, since he would no longer be an amateur.
What if Clowney's injury is a major concussion. You know the kind that has kept Jahvid Best from playing football for a year and a half. The kind that not only ends your career, but maybe affects your life in dramatic ways. It is one thing if playing improves your draft status, but that won't happen with Clowney. He is a top 3 pick right now and will be next year pretty much no matter what he does, unless he gets hurt. I just don't see the benefit in risking it. He will because it won't be about logic, but emotion, and that is fine, I just wouldn't do it.