LSU has gained recognition for producing athletic and productive linebackers in the NFL.
Deion Jones, Patrick Queen, and Devin White have recently made notable contributions.
In recent draft rounds, the Dallas Cowboys have shown a keen interest in scouting for potential linebackers from LSU.
The team’s love affair went back two decades to Bradie James in 2003. The organization returned to the well in 2021 with Jabril Cox, but the jury is still out.
Subsequently, in the 2022 NFL Draft, Damone Clark was selected by Dallas in the 5th round, showcasing their willingness to take a chance on exceptional talent.
There are plenty of articles detailing Clark’s neck situation. However, without that setback, where would he have ended up?
Occasionally, I like to remind myself why this player piqued my interest.
With Damone Clark, it’s simple. His senior season at LSU was downright ridiculous.
He ended the year as a first-team All-SEC Linebacker and a second-time All-American. As the middle backer, he lived in the shadow of Nakobe Dean.
Unfortunately for the former Georgia Bulldog, that won’t be for long.
Could the argument be made that Clark shined without having elite-level players surrounding him?
That could be a discussion for a different day.
Additionally, here is the list of linebackers drafted before Damone:
Quay Walker
Devin Lloyd
Troy Andersen
Damone had the lowest missed tackle rate at 4.2% of the above players with 300 or more snaps.
Nevertheless, in his second season, the former Bayou Bengal prepares to prove he will become the top linebacker in his class.
The ten games last year will be a springboard for the 2023 season
Damone Clark was preparing to take a redshirt year in 2022; instead, he had to change course for the betterment of his team.
For context, Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery in March, was drafted in April, and played an entire NFL game in October.
Within seven months, his plans went from gently placing his season on the shelf to being a significant contributor to a playoff team.
Before his return, Anthony Barr had been holding down the weakside linebacker position, and his play was admirable if we’re being fair.
However, it was evident that Barr’s prime days with the Minnesota Vikings were behind him, and Dallas’ lack of linebacker athleticism was blinking like a red light.
Despite having yet to get an entire offseason to prepare as other rookie defenders, Damone took lemons and made lemonade.
On the defensive side of the ball, he played 398 snaps collecting 34 solo tackles and two forced fumbles in his unexpected action on the field.
In the event that some people like analytics versus pure numbers, here it goes.
Pro Football Focus graded Clark a 65.5 defensive rating, 64.3 run defense, and a 64.8 coverage grade. Not too shabby.
From a practical standpoint, Dan Quinn was comfortable letting him learn on the fly, and I could not agree more.
Overall, the more action Damone saw, the more he began to look like the guy in Baton Rouge.
A full offseason will take clark to new heights
Muscle memory, team chemistry, and awareness are all great football buzzwords spewed across the major sports networks.
Unfortunately, I’m here to tell you there are some truths to it.
Asking a player to enter a competitive football game with minimal physical preparation is a reason to pause.
Granted, Damone Clark had plenty of time to soak in mental reps, but that would have been more useful if he didn’t play at all that season.
An analogy I like is trying to add a compartment to a moving train. This defense traveled fast in one direction and couldn’t stop for one player.
This offseason, Clark has been inserted before anyone or anything started moving.
He will potentially be a step faster, putting him at the point of attack much quicker than last year.
Not to mention, I envision his coverage skills to improve, considering that he will better grasp coverage concepts and where his teammates will be.
In his final season at LSU, he was arguably one of the two best linebackers in the country with Dean.
Why was that?
His aggression, power, and strength were outstanding. Clark ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash with a 10’7″ broad jump at the combine.
Those numbers check out.
Fans love to see those impact hits from him moving without thinking. Those will return at an increased rate.
The muscle memory he is adding to right now will remind fans how good he was down in the bayou.
What other rookie linebacker in his class returned from a neck injury, missed training camp, and played starter-level minutes? No one is the answer.
Furthermore, Damone Clark has the size, athleticism, and talent, coupled with playing experience, that has me more than pleased Dallas chose him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
