Cliffs Notes: The Longhorns surge in the 2024 recruiting class continued today with the commitment of Arizona prep star Christian Clark.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown...
Rivals: (5.9) Mid 4 star, No.154 overall nationally, No.3 in Arizona
ESPN: (80) Low 4 star, NR nationally, No.6 in Arizona
On3: (90) Low four-star, NR nationally, No.7 in Arizona
247: (89) High 3 star, NR nationally, No.11 in Arizona
247 composite: (.9071) Low 4 star, No.287 overall nationally, No.4 in Arizona
Notable offers: USC (5/19 OV), Florida State (6/2 OV), Oregon (6/9 OV), Georgia (6/23 OV), Alabama, Miami, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and UCLA
Evaluation: It's probably blasphemous to say this, especially since the man literally just left campus, but there's a little Bijan Robinson in Clark's game. At 6-0, 195 pounds, Clark is built like a brick outhouse and runs with tremendous balance. He doesn't have the Barry Sanders-like stop and start ability that Bijan brings to the table, but he does have the ability to make one cut and go the distance once he breaks into the second level of a defense. Defenders often just bounce off of Clark, who runs between the tackles extremely well and doesn't always look to bounce it to the outside like so many high school running backs. Once he makes his cut and hits the hole, he's headed north/south in a hurry. Also, Clark runs hard and finishes runs with a strong forward lead that always leads to an extra yard or two at the end of most runs. I'll be surprised if he's not a standout college running back.
Why it matters: Of the running backs that Tashard Choice has focused on in this recruiting cycle, Clark is without a doubt my favorite of the bunch. He gives the Longhorns a player that I think has super blue-chip upside, even if everyone but Rivals seems a little slow to catch on to his outstanding skill set. From my vantage point, he's one of the very best running backs in the Class of 2024. His commitment also represents yet another flag planted in the state of Arizona for the Texas program.
Expectations: The Longhorns have a crowded set of young sophomore or freshmen running backs (5 total), but Clark has the kind of talent that could allow him to hit the ground running at the next level. Personally, I think he'll make an eventual excellent 1-2 punch with CJ Baxter.
Math: (One) Only one player from the state of Arizona at the running back position has ever been ranked higher than Clark's place on the current Rivals250.... yeah, you know who it is... some guy named Bijan. Only six other running backs from Arizona high schools have ever earned four-star status during the Rivals era. Of the five that have finished their college careers, the best of the bunch is former Arizona standout and Chicago Bears player Ka'Deem Carey.
Must See: Junior highlights.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown...
Rivals: (5.9) Mid 4 star, No.154 overall nationally, No.3 in Arizona
ESPN: (80) Low 4 star, NR nationally, No.6 in Arizona
On3: (90) Low four-star, NR nationally, No.7 in Arizona
247: (89) High 3 star, NR nationally, No.11 in Arizona
247 composite: (.9071) Low 4 star, No.287 overall nationally, No.4 in Arizona
Notable offers: USC (5/19 OV), Florida State (6/2 OV), Oregon (6/9 OV), Georgia (6/23 OV), Alabama, Miami, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and UCLA
Evaluation: It's probably blasphemous to say this, especially since the man literally just left campus, but there's a little Bijan Robinson in Clark's game. At 6-0, 195 pounds, Clark is built like a brick outhouse and runs with tremendous balance. He doesn't have the Barry Sanders-like stop and start ability that Bijan brings to the table, but he does have the ability to make one cut and go the distance once he breaks into the second level of a defense. Defenders often just bounce off of Clark, who runs between the tackles extremely well and doesn't always look to bounce it to the outside like so many high school running backs. Once he makes his cut and hits the hole, he's headed north/south in a hurry. Also, Clark runs hard and finishes runs with a strong forward lead that always leads to an extra yard or two at the end of most runs. I'll be surprised if he's not a standout college running back.
Why it matters: Of the running backs that Tashard Choice has focused on in this recruiting cycle, Clark is without a doubt my favorite of the bunch. He gives the Longhorns a player that I think has super blue-chip upside, even if everyone but Rivals seems a little slow to catch on to his outstanding skill set. From my vantage point, he's one of the very best running backs in the Class of 2024. His commitment also represents yet another flag planted in the state of Arizona for the Texas program.
Expectations: The Longhorns have a crowded set of young sophomore or freshmen running backs (5 total), but Clark has the kind of talent that could allow him to hit the ground running at the next level. Personally, I think he'll make an eventual excellent 1-2 punch with CJ Baxter.
Math: (One) Only one player from the state of Arizona at the running back position has ever been ranked higher than Clark's place on the current Rivals250.... yeah, you know who it is... some guy named Bijan. Only six other running backs from Arizona high schools have ever earned four-star status during the Rivals era. Of the five that have finished their college careers, the best of the bunch is former Arizona standout and Chicago Bears player Ka'Deem Carey.
Must See: Junior highlights.
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