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Name: Clay Cleveland
Position: Fullback
Year: Senior
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 230
Hometown: Boxford, MA
High School: Phillips Academy
2012 Stats: Played in seven games last year.
2013 Projections: He's listed as the starter at fullback, and I expect that he will primarily block. Adonis Ameen Moore should be getting the carries when the Orange are knocking at the door, but it would be cool to see Cleveland get a bone thrown his way at least once this year.
How'd He Get Here?: Clay was a walk-on, although he did garner interest from Ivies Princeton and Dartmouth as well as D1 programs UConn and Miami (OH).
What'd Scout/Rivals Say?: Normal walk-on silence.
Money Quote: This is a very fullback-y quote:
"I'm a fullback at heart. That's my favorite position," said Cleveland, who also played in the Shriner's all-star game last month. "It's kind of a dying breed. You don't see too many teams pounding the ball like old school Big Ten football."
Links of Wonder: Clay was one of the three fullbacks with stories to tell heading into last year.
What Does Shafer Think: Fullback might be the hardest-nosed (hardnosiest?) position on the field. He probably loves him some Clay Cleveland.
Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Clay gets it done in the classroom as well as on the field. He's been named to the 2010 Fall, 2011 Spring and 2011 Fall Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the 2011 and 2012 Big East All-Academic Teams. In high school, he was recruited by Ivy League schools Dartmouth and Princeton.
Let Us Get a Good Look Atchya: