UCLA has turn into the land of alternative.
Defensive again Kanye Clark wasn’t a extremely sought-after recruit. 247Sports gave him a really low three-star rating, and he had a number of presents to play soccer at a number of Mountain West colleges — however that was all.
Maybe the pathway to his goals was to dominate on the Mountain West degree and go from there.
However the Sacramento child took the Vegas mentality when the Bruins gave him a name the day earlier than signing day.
“I had most likely round 13 to fifteen different presents,” Clark recalled. “However the day earlier than signing day, I received a name and UCLA provided me a walk-on spot, so I made a decision to gamble on myself, come right here and simply show myself once more.”
Boy did it repay.
Placing all of his chips on inexperienced, the gamble that had a 2% probability of hitting, in the end hit.
Clark obtained a scholarship throughout spring apply of 2024, and it despatched everybody who knew how a lot work he put in into a spread of feelings.
“I actually cried,” stated UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe. “He represents the D.R.E. (self-discipline, respect and enthusiasm). When coach [DeShaun Foster] gave him that scholarship, that made me—it stuffed me with pleasure extra than simply Kanye, as a result of it simply confirmed the laborious work, no matter scholarship, walk-on.”
Now, as one of many few remaining Bruins within the secondary, Clark has an opportunity to earn a beginning spot.
In his first two video games of the 2024 season, he seemed sharp. He solely registered one sort out however had two go deflections. Shortly after, although, he was dominated out for the remainder of the season with an obvious leg damage.
Resulting from Foster protecting it tight-lipped, we nonetheless don’t know what the damage was. But when it was season-ending, one must suspect it was slightly extreme.
Regardless that he missed the season, it didn’t cease him from excelling in the classroom. He was named to the Fall 2024 Educational All-Large Ten Staff, in addition to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
Now, with a brand new season on the horizon and a clear invoice of well being, it’s time for the redshirt sophomore to do what he got down to do:
Lock down receivers and make opposing quarterbacks look foolish.
The Bruins will want it, as they’d one of many worst secondaries within the nation — an enormous purpose why Foster introduced in seven new gamers, not together with freshman Jaydn Hudson.
Having somebody like Clark and security Croix Stewart will likely be large for the Bruins since they’ll know what Foster and secondary coach Demetrice Martin are searching for.
UCLA has already had a current walk-on success story in Carson Schwesinger.
Now it’s Kanye Clark’s flip at greatness.
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