Name: Steven Clark
Position: Nose Tackle
Year: Freshman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 290
Hometown: Arab, Ala.
High School: Brindlee Mountain
2014 Stats: Clark had 84 tackles including 10.0 sacks, which made him an all-state selection in Alabama's Class 3A.
2015 Projections: There's a youth movement on Syracuse's defensive line as Scott Shafer said that Clark and freshmen Qaadir Sheppard and Amir Ealey will get a lot of playing time right away. The defensive line lost some of its depth with the transfer of DT Wayne Williams and Ryan Sloan's decision to leave the program. On the depth chart, Clark is only behind redshirt freshman Kayton Samuels at nose tackle so he'll have plenty of opportunity to get on the field.
How'd He Get Here: He originally committed to South Alabama, but then switched to Syracuse in early December. Clark reconsidered his options when he got an late offer from Florida, but he decided to reaffirm his verbal commitment to Syracuse a few days before National Signing Day.
What'd Recruiting Sites Say: Scout (3), Rivals (2), ESPN (3), 24/7 (3)
Money Quote: Possibly the money quote of the year, courtesy of Syracuse's visit to Fort Drum:
"The guy's house that was hosting it was an FSU fan so I went to use the bathroom and I came out and he goes, 'Did you smear any crap on the wall?'" Steven said. "And I'm like, 'In my view, you already had a lot of crap on your wall.'"
Links of Wonder: Syracuse DT Steven Clark visits cousin at Fort Drum; Bradley Lykins set to deploy for Iraq
Twitterfeed: @SLClark7250
Tweets of Wonder:
— Steven Clark (@SLClark7250) January 30, 2015
What Does Shafer Think Of Him: HCSS said this month that Clark's stock is up
"Steven Clark is going to be a very good football player," Shafer said. "He is a strong young man for a freshman. He's fighting those double teams, and he can run.
"He comes from a smaller school in Alabama and didn't get heavily recruited until we exposed him as a player and then everyone tried to come in and steal him those last three, four weeks. That was hell on wheels, man, for a few weeks."
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Clark's high school team only started its football program in 2006. In fact, he's the first player from Brindlee Mountain to become a Division I signee.
Let's Get A Good Look Atcha: