NC State DT C.J. Clark, who visited Miami weekend of Dec. 8, picks Hurricanes and gives team proven playmaker in middle of line
For the Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle position, it’s not so much a case of out with the old, in with the new as it is out with the old in with the old. Because with starting interior lineman Leonard Taylor turning pro and Branson Deen out of eligibility, Miami has turned to the transfer portal for help.
And the team has landed a three-year starter in NC State redshirt senior C.J. Clark. Clark announced his commitment to Miami on Friday night, and he took a Dec. 8 weekend visit. He chose the Canes over Washington. Among others that offered him in the portal were Mississippi State, Colorado, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Clark played in a three-man front for the Wolfpack and part of the reason he liked the situation at Miami was being able to showcase himself in Lance Guidry’s four-man front.
“I’ve been in the same scheme for a while, feel I have more to showcase as far as getting to the next level,” Clark said. “I believe going into a new scheme and being able to use my athleticism and go more vertical, not take on too many double teams – playing in a 4 down would make me have a better chance to showcase myself (for the NFL).”
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The 6-3, 305-pounder had 22 tackles, four for losses with a sack this season, and in 2022 he had 18 tackles and three sacks.
Below watch back-to-back fourth quarter plays from this year’s game between Miami and the Wolfpack and note DT Clark (No. 5) using power/quickness to get push into the backfield vs. Matt Lee and double-teams:
Below note Clark’s burst getting off the block and athletic finish for one of his sacks in 2022:
Clark also started the first three games of 2021 before a season-ending injury (had eight tackles, 3 QB pressures), and he redshirted in 2019 and started two games in 2020 (against Miami and the bowl game, and ended year with 24 tackles and 3 QB pressures).
Per Pro Football Focus he graded out at 61.0 percent this year (59.6 run defense, 60.4 pass rush, 50.6 tackle grade). He’s noted by PFF with 13 QB pressures this year and 16 in 2022.
