Hulking 2018 Arkansas OL Larry Clark Updates Potential Official Visits and Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

It is fair to say that few defensive coordinators, defensive ends, defensive tackles, and/or linebackers have an answer for working around Larry Clark. Outside of a few major metropolitan areas, few high school teams have to go up against a 6-4.5, 328 pound, skilled hulking offensive lineman. Even fewer teams have a D-I level player on the roster to try to answer Clark’s growing talents, which would be fun to watch if they did. All adds up to another year of Clark dominating opposing defenses blowing open holes for the running game while keeping his quarterback’s jersey clean.

Best to be small and speedy when lining up against Clark with the hope he does not lock on. Few could match his strength and abilities last year planting an estimated 67 defenders with a pancake block. Nothing has changed this year accept Clark is bigger, stronger, and even more skilled creating an even bigger mismatch in the trenches.

Clark’s ability to move defenders out of the way has caught on with a lot of college programs seeing Iowa State, Louisiana-Monroe, Kansas, Central Arkansas, and Arkansas State extend offers. The list of potential schools that are taking a closer look includes Memphis, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Louisville, Texas State, and Tulane.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the Blytheville High School three-star recruit covering the early part of his senior season while getting the scoop on his potential official visits.

Interview

Larry, how did your summer workouts go?

“They went great. This summer I got my weight up. I did a lot of low weight – high rep workouts. My muscles are even bigger now and I have better endurance in the games.”

What was the focus of your workouts? Which areas of your game did you work on improving?

“My pass-set. I also focused on my hips a lot more. I worked on getting off the ball quicker. Really, I worked on everything. I’m not good enough to stop working on one thing. I have to keep working on every single thing to get better.”

Did you get to max out in the weight room this offseason?

“I did. My bench was 335, squat 475, deadlift 540, and I power cleaned 280.”

Nice. All that hard work has been poured into the first four games of the season, which areas of your game are taking a big step forward over last season?

“I have improved a lot in power. I put on weight this offseason. I went from 295 to 330, that is a big jump. I try to work on technique as much as I can. In college, they will always be on me about technique. My pass set has improved, my run blocking has improved, and I’m more powerful off the ball. I worked on my drive and first step. That has gotten tremendously better. I have made some big improvements but there is a lot of work still to do.”

Are the Chickasaw coaches still counting knockdowns and pancake blocks? 67

“We are not counting those this year. After the season, I will tally them up and I’ll release it then.”

Of the four games played, which has been your best?

“The Wynne game. We lost, but I had to play both sides. I feel like I stepped up big on offense and on defense. The entire O-line stepped up big, the D-line did too.”

Is there a defensive lineman that has challenged you this season, if so, how did that showdown help improve your game?

“An end from West Memphis, I don’t know his name. He was a 9-technique. They were sending him every play, using his speed as an advantage. That made me work on my kick step. I did not give up a sack but he gave me some good pressure. He made me better. He made me realize my mistakes. That has helped me improve. Now my hips are open to get a better kick step in against speed rushers. Teams are trying everything against me.”

You have five offers on the table, have you started setting up any official visits yet?

“I’m taking an official to Iowa State Dec. 8 through the 10th. I plan on taking one to Kansas for Oklahoma game (Nov. 18). I may take others, but I have not decided yet.”

When the time comes for you to commit, what are the factors that will help influence that decision?

“I’m not that type of kid that gets impressed by the weight room and facilities. I’m not the type of kid that will go somewhere off materialistic things. For me, it is about making a connection with the school. I want to have a personal bond with the school and the program. I want to feel safe there. If I were to get hurt, would they still care and help me get the education that I need. I just want to feel comfortable at that school.”

You guys get Nettleton (Jonesboro) this week, what challenge does their defense bring for you?

“Nettleton has a lot of quickness and a lot of agility on defense. We’re going to put up a fight. We got the new turf laid down. This is our first home game of the season, we will put up a fight.”

How are you mentally preparing for each game on Friday?

“On Sunday, I take an ice bath and listen to music to recover. On Monday, we listen to coach’s game plan. We ask questions and apply it in practice. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we are in pads applying everything in the game plan. Thursday is a walk-through. On Thursday night, I think about the game and get a good night’s rest. On Friday, it is go time.”

Larry, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 69 Larry Clark in pass-set

Photo credit: Clark family; Larry Clark post-game