Kenny Clark (defensive tackle)

Last updated

Kenny Clark
Kenny Clark (defensive tackle).JPG
Clark with the Green Bay Packers in 2017
No. 97 – Green Bay Packers
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1995-10-04) October 4, 1995 (age 28)
San Bernardino, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:314 lb (142 kg)
Career information
High school: Carter (Rialto, California)
College: UCLA (2013–2015)
NFL draft: 2016  / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:380
Sacks:34.0
Forced fumbles:7
Fumble recoveries:6
Pass deflections:10
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Kenneth Duane Clark Jr. (born October 4, 1995) is an American football defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Playing college football for the UCLA Bruins, he was named a third-team All-American as a junior in 2015, when he also earned his second all-conference selection in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, with the 27th overall pick.

Contents

Early years

Clark attended Wilmer Amina Carter High School in Rialto, California. As a senior, he had 71 tackles and 11 sacks. He was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play college football. [1] Clark also wrestled in high school. [2]

College career

Clark catching a touchdown pass for UCLA in 2015 Kenny Clark vs Virginia (cropped).jpg
Clark catching a touchdown pass for UCLA in 2015

Clark appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman at UCLA in 2013. [3] He started four games and had 31 tackles. As a sophomore in 2014, Clark was a second-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection after starting all 13 games and making 58 tackles. [4] [5] [6] Already established as a strong run defender, he improved as a pass rusher as a junior after entering 2015 with just one career sack. He had a career-high three sacks against Washington State. [7] He was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press and was the lone Bruin named first-team All-Pac-12. [8] [9] Clark had a career-high 11 tackles in the Foster Farms Bowl against Nebraska, and ranked second on the team with 75 tackles and six sacks. After the season, he decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. [10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		314 lb
(142 kg)		32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		5.06 s1.72 s2.90 s4.62 s28.5 in
(0.72 m)		8 ft 6 in
(2.59 m)		29 reps16 [11]
All values are from NFL Combine [12] [13]

Clark was selected in the first round (27th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2016 NFL Draft. [14]

On July 17, 2016, the Green Bay Packers signed Clark to a four-year, $9.36 million contract with $7.18 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5.00 million. [15] [16]

He began his rookie season as a starting defensive tackle alongside veteran Mike Daniels. He was also named a backup and rotational defensive end in the Packers' 3–4 defense. [17]

Clark made his professional debut in the Packers' season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and made one assisted tackle in the 27–23 victory. On September 25, 2016, he made his first career start against the Detroit Lions and racked up a total of four tackles in the Packer's win. In Week 14, Clark made four combined tackles during a 38–10 victory against the Seattle Seahawks. [18] As a rookie in 2016, Clark finished with 21 tackles and two passes defended in 16 games.

In Week 13 of the 2017 season, Clark recorded 1.5 sacks, his first of his NFL career and 6 combined tackles in a 26–20 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the season with 4.5 sacks and 55 tackles.

Clark had a breakout season in 2018, recording 55 tackles, three passes defensed, and six sacks, and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. He suffered an elbow injury in Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve on December 25, 2018. [19]

Clark in a game against the Washington Redskins Kenny Clark.jpg
Clark in a game against the Washington Redskins

On April 22, 2019, the Packers picked up the fifth-year option on Clark's contract. [20]

On August 15, 2020, Clark signed a four-year, $70 million contract extension with a $25 million signing bonus. [21] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Clark recorded 1.5 sacks on Jared Goff during the 32–18 win. [22] On December 23, 2021, Clark was named to his second Pro Bowl. [23]

On February 23, 2022, Clark agreed to a restructured deal that converted $13.6 million into a signing bonus to save $10.9 million of salary cap space. [24]

On January 30, 2024, Clark was selected to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, replacing San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave due to him participating in Super Bowl LVIII. This was his third Pro Bowl selection. [25]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

SeasonTeamGPGSTotalSoloAstSckFFFRPD
2016 GB 162211380.0022
2017 GB 15155532234.5201
2018 GB 13135536196.0123
2019 GB 16166231316.0101
2020 GB 13134228142.0001
2021 GB 16164827214.0010
2022 GB 17175327264.0110
2023 GB 17174422227.5203
Total12310938021616434.07610
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason

SeasonTeamGPGSTotalSoloAstSckFFFRPD
2016 GB 306510.0000
2019 GB 226511.0000
2020 GB 2211652.5000
2021 GB 116421.0000
2023 GB 227430.5000
Total1073624125.0000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Related Research Articles

Brandon Chillar is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for UCLA. He is one of two players of Indian-American descent to ever play in the NFL, along with Sanjay Beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Guy</span> American football player (born 1990)

Lawrence Thomas Guy is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. Prior to being drafted by the Green Bay Packers, he played college football at Arizona State. He has also played with the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and New England Patriots.

Robert Wayne Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the early 2000s. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning recognition as a consensus All-American in 2001. The St. Louis Rams selected him in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Rams, Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Hawk</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1984)

Aaron James Hawk is an American sports analyst and former American football linebacker who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers fifth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and he would later win Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Ohio State, where he earned All-American honors twice and won the Lombardi Award as a senior. He won the BCS National Championship with the Buckeyes as a freshman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond Bishop</span> American football player and coach (born 1984)

Desmond Lamont Bishop is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft and later won Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bishop has also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay Matthews III</span> American football player (born 1986)

William Clay Matthews III is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). The six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro played primarily with the Green Bay Packers. He is the all-time official sack leader for the Green Bay Packers.

Brian Larisso Price is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning first-team All-American honors in 2009. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Pierre-Paul</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jason Andrew Pierre-Paul is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. With the Giants, Pierre-Paul made two Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro and won Super Bowl XLVI. With the Buccaneers, Pierre-Paul made his third Pro Bowl and won Super Bowl LV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Hundley</span> American football player (born 1993)

Brett Alan Hundley Jr. is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, where he was the school's career leader in both total offense and touchdown passes. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and started nine games for them in 2017, following a collarbone injury to Aaron Rodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Barr (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Anthony Barr is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins from 2010 to 2013, earning consensus All-American honors in 2013. He was selected by the Vikings in the first round, ninth overall of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Bakhtiari</span> American football player (born 1991)

David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari is an American football offensive tackle who is a free agent. Drafted by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he played with the Packers until his release after the 2023 season. He played college football at Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Datone Jones</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Datone Wayne Jones is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at UCLA from 2008 to 2012 as a defensive end and defensive tackle. In 2008, he was named to the Rivals.com All-Pac-10 freshman team. In 2009, he earned sophomore All-America honorable mention honors from College Football News after finishing the season with 4 sacks and 11 tackles. He missed the entire 2010 season after suffering an injury to his right foot during fall camp. In 2012, he was named second-team All-Pac-12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Williams (American football)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Leonard Austin Williams is an American football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Jets with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Jack</span> American football player (born 1995)

Myles David Jack is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was named the top freshman player in the Pac-12, receiving honors both on defense as well as on offense for his work as a running back and was named an All-Pac-12 linebacker twice. In 2015, Jack dropped out of UCLA and declared for the draft after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Jack was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Along with his mother LaSonjia Jack, he is the current owner of the ECHL Allen Americans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Kendricks</span> American football player (born 1992)

Eric-Nathan Marvin Kendricks is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2014, he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeForest Buckner</span> American football player (born 1994)

DeForest George Buckner is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With the 49ers, Buckner made a Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. With the Colts, he was selected to the first-team All Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Perkins</span> American football player (born 1994)

Paul Kerry Perkins II is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, leading the Pac-12 Conference in rushing as a sophomore in 2014. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors the following year. He was selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and was also a member of the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashan Gary</span> American football player (born 1997)

Rashan Abdul Gary is an American football defensive end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). In 2015, he concluded his high school football career at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey. He was ranked as the No. 1 recruit in college football's incoming Class of 2016. He played college football at Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krys Barnes</span> American football player (born 1998)

Krystopher Nathaniel Barnes is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA, and originally signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

Sean Michael Rhyan is an American football guard for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA.

References

  1. ↑ "Rivals".
  2. ↑ "High School Wrestling: UCLA football commit Kenny Clark competing in state meet". Los Angeles Daily News . Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  3. ↑ "UCLA football notes: Kenny Clark growing into anchor for Bruins' defensive line". Los Angeles Daily News . April 24, 2014.
  4. ↑ KYLE GLASER (September 1, 2015). "UCLA: Rialto Carter's Clark a defensive force up front". Press Enterprise.
  5. ↑ "UCLA DT Kenny Clark stands tall among Pac-12's best players". ESPN.
  6. ↑ 18 Bruins Named to Football All-Conference Teams Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , UCLABruins.com, December 2, 2014
  7. ↑ Terrill, Mark J. (November 18, 2015). "UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark expands his repertoire". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ Haney, Travis (December 13, 2015). "Heisman winner Henry leads selections for Associated Press All-America Team". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ Kaufman, Joey (December 1, 2015). "UCLA DT Kenny Clark on All-Pac-12 first team; eight Bruins on second team". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on December 5, 2015.
  10. ↑ Wang, Jack (December 28, 2015). "UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark declares for NFL draft". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Green Bay Packers' picks in the 2016 NFL draft". JSOnline.com. April 30, 2016. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  12. ↑ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Kenny Clark". National Football League. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Kenny Clark – UCLA, DT : 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Kenny Clark NFL Draft Profile". National Football League. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sportrac.com: Kenny Clark contract". sportrac.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Packers sign first-round draft pick Kenny Clark". Packers.com. July 17, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Green Bay Packer's Depth Chart". ourlads.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  18. ↑ "NFL Player Profile: Kenny Clark". National Football League. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  19. ↑ Alper, Josh (December 25, 2018). "Packers put Kenny Clark on injured reserve". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  20. ↑ "Packers plan to pick up Kenny Clark's fifth-year option". Acme Packing Company. April 22, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Packers sign DL Kenny Clark to contract extension". Packers.com. August 15, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Divisional Round – Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers – January 16th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  23. ↑ "2022 NFL Pro Bowl rosters for AFC, NFC: Bucs' Tom Brady gets record 15th selection". ESPN. December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Packers restructure Kenny Clark's contract, create almost $11M in salary cap space". USA Today. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Packers DL Kenny Clark named to 2024 Pro Bowl Games". www.packers.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.