Jimmy Clausen was born on September 21, 1987, in Thousand Oaks, California. Jimmy Clausen is an American football player. Jimmy Clausen will be a quarterback at the University of Notre Dame for the 2007 football season and is one of the candidates to replace Brady Quinn as Notre Dame Fighting Irish starting quarterback.
Jimmy Clausen had an outstanding prep career at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. In 2006, Jimmy Clausen lead the Oaks Christian Lions to its third straight Division III state title, throwing 49 touchdown passes for the season. Jimmy Clausen never lost a football game he started in his prep career (42-0) and also holds California state records for career touchdown passes (146). Jimmy Clausen threw for 10,677 yards in his career at Oaks Christian. As a senior Jimmy Clausen won the 2007 Hall Trophy for the nation's top high school football player and was also named “Offensive Player of the Year” by the USA Today
As the younger brother of two former Division I quarterbacks – Casey and Rick Clausen, who both played at Tennessee – Jimmy Clausen gained media attention very early. During his junior season, a Sports Illustrated feature dubbed him “The Kid With the Golden Arm”. Recruiting analysts considered him a “once in a decade” quarterback talent and ranked him as the #1 overall prospect of the 2007 high school class. Because of his quick release, some in the media compared him to Joe Namath.
Critics have questioned whether Jimmy Clausen's success in high school was largely a product of his team – containing almost a dozen players expected to play for NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision teams, including a highly-ranked running back, Marc Tyler – and the inferior talent level of its opponents. Many of these critics pointed to the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in which Jimmy Clausen was outplayed by fellow 2007 quarterback recruit, Ryan Mallett. Further Jimmy Clausen's age is a subject of critiscism: he started kindergarten at six and repeated sixth grade, thus was 19½ years old on his graduation day.
On April 22, 2006, Jimmy Clausen verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame. Jimmy Clausen was the most highly touted recruit for the Fighting Irish since the arrival of Ron Powlus in 1993. Jimmy Clausen did announce his oral commitment at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana after arriving in a stretch Hummer limousine. Jimmy Clausen also said he planned to win four national titles with the Irish.
Jimmy Causen awards and recognition:
- Jimmy Clausen has the 2007 Hall Trophy Award
- Jimmy Clausen was the 2006 USA Today Offensive Player of the Year.
