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OVERVIEW
Clark started 51 straight games for the Red Raiders, spending his final three years at left tackle and his freshman season at right guard. All three years at left tackle, he earned All-Big 12 honors, and as a senior he was named a second-team All-American for his efforts. It's unclear where Clark's best position will be at the next level; he flashes the lateral agility and recovery speed to play on the edge against college pass rushers, so he should get a shot at left tackle. It?s possible, though, that Clark might be best inside where he can lock on and create creases for the running game. His durability, pro-ready body (6-6, 313), and next-level tenacity make him a likely NFL starter wherever he lines up.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Possesses good thickness through his rear and thighs helping him drop and anchor. Plays with outstanding foot quickness in his pass sets. Able to mirror head-faking pass rushers like a cornerback with ability to shift weight and change directions seamlessly. Uses choppy, controlled slides in pass sets instead of long, protracted kick-slides. Able to shut down darting inside moves with relative ease. Blessed with exceptionally long arms. Uses length and excellent timing to get hands on edge rushers quickly disrupting their gameplan. Has athleticism to effectively recover and fight back when he gets beaten. When he gets hands on defender and locks out, it is over. Has impressive sink steps inside to wall of B-gap against twists and the backside in running game. Does adequate job of sustaining blocks. Plus lateral quickness off the snap. Can reach and seal the edge in run game. Accelerates into angle blocks, runs his feet and washes defender down. As base blocker, has ability to strike, turn and pin defensive ends on off-tackle runs his way. Instinctive and proactive against twists.
WEAKNESSES
Allows weight to creep forward past his feet and will get caught leaning, especially when trying to run rushers around the arc. Plays with average body control. Struggled to match inside/out rush moves of LSU?s Arden Key in his bowl game. Hands can be a little frenetic and end up outside defender?s frame. Will benefit from a stronger inside hand in his punch. Needs to improve hand placement. Slightly deficient in core power. Has quick feet but average footwork, especially after contact. Posture in protection needs work. Rarely a flat-backed, flat-footed puncher. Leans and makes contact while on balls of his feet or with feet in transition and will give some ground. Footwork and hands not always synced. Relies too heavily on length over feet. Pad level rises at contact robbing him of optimal leverage. Not a natural bender in space and struggles to redirect his body and strike moving targets.
SOURCES TELL US
"He's going to end up being big time in our league. He's got elite foot quickness, he's long and he's smart. He'll keep getting better once he gets to a pro offense and away from that stuff Texas Tech does and he'll become one of the top five tackles in our league." -- NFC personnel director
NFL COMPARISON
Bobby Massie
BOTTOM LINE
Clark is an ascending left tackle prospect with the elite foot quickness and length that NFL teams simply don?t pass up for very long. Clark could still use more muscle on his frame and will need to be much more consistent with his technique rather than just relying on his length if he is to reach his full potential in the pros. Left tackles with his potential in pass protection carry first round value and Clark has a Pro Bowl upside with the floor of an average NFL starter.-Lance Zierlein
OVERVIEW
Clark started 51 straight games for the Red Raiders, spending his final three years at left tackle and his freshman season at right guard. All three years at left tackle, he earned All-Big 12 honors, and as a senior he was named a second-team All-American for his efforts. It's unclear where Clark's best position will be at the next level; he flashes the lateral agility and recovery speed to play on the edge against college pass rushers, so he should get a shot at left tackle. It?s possible, though, that Clark might be best inside where he can lock on and create creases for the running game. His durability, pro-ready body (6-6, 313), and next-level tenacity make him a likely NFL starter wherever he lines up.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Possesses good thickness through his rear and thighs helping him drop and anchor. Plays with outstanding foot quickness in his pass sets. Able to mirror head-faking pass rushers like a cornerback with ability to shift weight and change directions seamlessly. Uses choppy, controlled slides in pass sets instead of long, protracted kick-slides. Able to shut down darting inside moves with relative ease. Blessed with exceptionally long arms. Uses length and excellent timing to get hands on edge rushers quickly disrupting their gameplan. Has athleticism to effectively recover and fight back when he gets beaten. When he gets hands on defender and locks out, it is over. Has impressive sink steps inside to wall of B-gap against twists and the backside in running game. Does adequate job of sustaining blocks. Plus lateral quickness off the snap. Can reach and seal the edge in run game. Accelerates into angle blocks, runs his feet and washes defender down. As base blocker, has ability to strike, turn and pin defensive ends on off-tackle runs his way. Instinctive and proactive against twists.
WEAKNESSES
Allows weight to creep forward past his feet and will get caught leaning, especially when trying to run rushers around the arc. Plays with average body control. Struggled to match inside/out rush moves of LSU?s Arden Key in his bowl game. Hands can be a little frenetic and end up outside defender?s frame. Will benefit from a stronger inside hand in his punch. Needs to improve hand placement. Slightly deficient in core power. Has quick feet but average footwork, especially after contact. Posture in protection needs work. Rarely a flat-backed, flat-footed puncher. Leans and makes contact while on balls of his feet or with feet in transition and will give some ground. Footwork and hands not always synced. Relies too heavily on length over feet. Pad level rises at contact robbing him of optimal leverage. Not a natural bender in space and struggles to redirect his body and strike moving targets.
SOURCES TELL US
"He's going to end up being big time in our league. He's got elite foot quickness, he's long and he's smart. He'll keep getting better once he gets to a pro offense and away from that stuff Texas Tech does and he'll become one of the top five tackles in our league." -- NFC personnel director
NFL COMPARISON
Bobby Massie
BOTTOM LINE
Clark is an ascending left tackle prospect with the elite foot quickness and length that NFL teams simply don?t pass up for very long. Clark could still use more muscle on his frame and will need to be much more consistent with his technique rather than just relying on his length if he is to reach his full potential in the pros. Left tackles with his potential in pass protection carry first round value and Clark has a Pro Bowl upside with the floor of an average NFL starter.-Lance Zierlein
