Football Profile: Dominic Clarke a speedster at corner
Christopher Grzan
Issue date: 2/18/09
Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Md., never had a football player earn a scholarship to a Division I school. That changed when Dominic Clarke committed to Ohio State.
Clarke is the No. 19 cornerback in the nation and No. 1 cornerback in Maryland, according to rivals.com, but even he was surprised by OSU's interest.
"He didn't even know OSU noticed him," said Kevin Noon, managing editor of ohiostate.rivals.com. "He's a quiet guy and he takes everything in stride."
OSU was not the only school that noticed him. He received scholarship offers from Stanford, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Navy, Boston College and Maryland. But in June 2008, Clarke decided Columbus was his destination.
Noon said Clarke was a standout when he watched him on film.
"It's very easy to see what the coaching staff saw in him," Noon said. "He has so much raw ability."
As a junior, Clarke recorded 38 tackles and three interceptions. He also rushed for 837 yards and five touchdowns on offense.
Clarke was named MVP at the National Freshman/Sophomore combine in Virginia and was named 2007 Top Sophomore at the Maryland Coaches Association Combine. He runs a 4.4 second 40-yard dash.
At 5 feet, 10 inches and 183 pounds, Clarke fits the mold for a small, fast cornerback.
"He has so much upside and hits with a ton of ferocity," Noon said. "He's a ballhawker and he has great instincts."