Connect with us

All Sports

Stoops’ Praises UK Freshman Quarterback Danny Clark

Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)

 

Freshman quarterback Danny Clark is a name most Kentucky fans aren’t familiar with but Mark Stoops referenced him during his weekly call-in show on Monday evening. Stoops had high praise for Clark, who is UK’s scout team quarterback, saying he is as good a teammate as he’s been around.

 

Rated a three-star prospect out of high school, Clark committed to the Wildcats in October of 2016. Clark’s story of how he ended up at Kentucky is kind of bizarre. Being an Ohio kid, his dream was to play for the home state Ohio State Buckeyes. Ironically enough, his path to Kentucky began with a commitment to Urban Meyer and Ohio State.

 

Clark, who was born in Columbus, committed to Ohio State during his freshman year of high school in 2013. He loved Ohio State so much that he even got a tattoo of a “Block O” on his left arm.

 

He remained committed, despite the Buckeyes taking a commitment from five-star Tate Martell. Being a pro-style quarterback, coupled with the depth at quarterback for the Buckeyes, the 6-4 Clark realized his best chance to play required him to look at other options. Those other options resulted in Clark choosing the Wildcats and then deciding to cover up his tattoo dedicated to the Buckeyes.

 

Working as the scout team quarterback, Clark will redshirt this season and return as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Kentucky will be forced to replace starting quarterback Stephen Johnson, who has emerged as a fan favorite the last two seasons.

 

Replacing Johnson’s leadership on the field and in the locker room will not be an easy task for Kentucky. The UK senior has transformed the locker room with his attitude and determination to be successful. The next UK quarterback will have big shoes to fill when they step into the huddle but leadership is one of Clark’s biggest attributes.

 

Stoops’ high praise of Clark is a good sign for the freshman quarterback. Along with Drew Barker, Gunnar Hoak, and Walker Wood, Clark will have his shot to win the job going into next season. Early bets would be on Barker or Hoak to win the job but don’t sleep on Clark. Ohio State’s loss is Kentucky’s gain.

More in All Sports