Big, fast, and instinctive, LSU linebacker Damone Clark finds the football quickly. Clark has the type of closing speed that prompts scouts to hit rewind frequently on the clicker.
Damone Clark and his impressive upside
Clark is looking to follow in the footsteps of Devin White and Patrick Queen and emerge as the latest LSU linebacker to be drafted high and make an immediate impact. He’s projected as a top-50 selection. He could rise even further on draft boards with his impressive performance at the Senior Bowl all-star game.
“Clark checks a lot of boxes. I mean, this guy can flat-out play,” an NFL scout said. “I’m extremely impressed with the way he runs to the football and how under control he is while breaking down to finish plays.
“He’s a high-ceiling linebacker. He’s a definite three-down linebacker. You don’t want him coming off the field. He’s not a tough evaluation for me, let’s put it that way.”
At a lean 6-foot-4, 240 pounds with 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash and the strength to squat 605 pounds, Clark is an intriguing prospect.
Butkus Award finalist put up some big numbers in 2021
The All-SEC selection and All-American emerged as a Butkus Award finalist last season, recording 135 tackles, 15 for losses, 5 1/2 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
“I’m looking to do the same things I did at LSU,” Clark said. “I’m a guy who plays with a high motor. I’m a physical guy. It’s all been positive comments from the scouts and coaches. Everybody has things on their game they need to work on. I know there are small things I need to work on just to make me an even better player, but you’re either a dog or you’re not.
“You’ve always got to find a way to pop out on the screen and make a name for yourself.” It’s an honor to be here at the Senior Bowl. Jim Nagy and the guys did a lot of film study to get the great guys here and it feels good to come here and compete.”
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Clark recorded 113 combined tackles, eight for losses and 4 1/2 sacks in his first three college seasons. He attributed a lot of his improvement to former LSU linebackers coach Blake Baker, who’s now at Missouri.
And what Clark learned from players like White and Queen has prepared him for this moment.
“Those guys showed me the way when I was a young pup,” said Clark, who emulates them along with other NFL linebackers like Fred Warner and Darius Leonard. “Now, it’s my time. The SEC is a mini-NFL. You’re playing against the best of the best every week. When you go to the NFL, it’s another step that you take.”
