Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for Coastal Carolina DT Jerrod Clark.
Jerrod Clark NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Defensive Tackle
- School: Coastal Carolina
- Year: Senior
Clark was a three-star recruit out of Brighton High School in Massachusetts. Without many offers, Clark chose to play college football at Coastal Carolina.
It’s been an interesting journey for Clark, as he was initially a tight end. After redshirting his entire freshman season, an injury cost him his sophomore (redshirt freshman) season. It wasn’t until 2020, Clark’s third year at Coastal Carolina, that he was able to get on the field.
Entering the 2020 season, Clark made significant changes. He transitioned from tight end to defensive tackle and put on 85 pounds of weight.
Clark played in 12 games, recording 27 total tackles, five QB hurries, and three sacks. He was similarly productive in 2021, registering 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 11 total pressures.
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Entering the 2022 campaign, Clark was in an interesting spot. He had completed his four years of college but still had two years of regular eligibility left due to not playing his first two seasons, as well as the extra year of COVID eligibility. In theory, Clark could’ve stayed at college another three years.
Obviously, since we’re doing a scouting report on him, Clark made 2022 his final year at Coastal Carolina. He recorded 41 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, adding another 25 total pressures.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Jerrod Clark
Strengths: Massive interior defensive lineman who projects to nose tackle. Fires off the snap, immediately gets his hands up, and knocks blockers off the line. Flashes a tremendous first step off the snap that makes him impossible to stop. Plays with proper pad level, consistently gets leverage on opponents, and keeps his feet moving.
Possesses outstanding lower-body power and bullrushes double-team blocks to collapse the pocket. Holds his ground against triple-team blocks and is impossible to move off the point. Displays good change-of-direction ability and short-area quickness and works to get down the line of scrimmage in pursuit.
Weaknesses: Must develop more moves and be quicker disengaging from blocks. Marginal pass rusher. Didn’t perform all that well during Senior Bowl practices.
Overall: Clark is a massive lineman who plays big football and does an outstanding job occupying blockers and clogging the middle of the field. Though he’s not much of a playmaker, Clark has enough ability and upside to be used as a zero-technique lineman on Sundays.
Jerrod Clark Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 6’3 1/4″
- Weight: 334 pounds
- Arm Length: 33 3/4″
- Hand Size: 9 3/4″
- Bench Press: N/A
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.25
Coastal Carolina DT Jerrod Clark Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s Big Board, Clark ranked 217th overall and is projected to be drafted in the sixth round. With a 3.34 grade, he is Pauline’s DT18 in this class.
Clark looks like a big, run-stopping DT. He’s not exactly fast and won’t be chasing anyone down. But if you get in his grasp, he can make the play.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
College production is the most predictive indicator of NFL success. Clark is fighting an uphill battle to make a difference at the NFL level. He spent five years in college but only saw the field for three of them and didn’t convert to DT until just three years ago.
Even as a Day 3 pick, Clark should be able to make an NFL roster. But his athleticism and body of work suggest his ceiling is becoming a rotational player at the NFL level.
He will get drafted and have the opportunity to prove himself at rookie minicamp and training camp, but simply earning a spot on an active roster would be a success for him.