Recruiting Stock Continues to Rise for Louisiana 2017 LB Josh Clarke

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There wasn’t much more Josh Clarke could do for himself or Riverdale High School during the 2015 season to showcase his abilities while helping guide his team to the playoffs. Clarke had a monster season coming up with 149 tackles, 18 sacks, six picks, and six forced fumbles while scoring three touchdowns.

Riverdale’s first round exodus in the playoffs after falling to Neville may have put an end to his great stat line but the body of work turned in was enough to impress college coaches. At least 19 Division-I offers have been extended to the now 6’3”, 220 pound, talent. Some of the schools seeking his Letter of Intent as part of the 2017 class includes Florida, ASU, Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss, Georgia, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Louisville, Louisiana-Lafayette, Illinois, Missouri, Tulane, Iowa State, Texas-San Antonio, Idaho, Indiana, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

With that many offers on the table, the one-day college camp circuit seeking exposure is a thing of the past and now all that is left is perhaps a few more offers and time to start lining up visits, both unofficial and official along the path towards a verbal commitment.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Clarke to get an update on his offseason workouts, his upcoming schedule, and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Josh, you have 19 offers that have come in for you. Of the 19 programs hoping to sign you, which schools are pushing the hardest for your commitment right now?

“I’d probably say Arkansas, Ole Miss, Bama (Alabama), Florida, and Oregon.”

A couple of schools you mentioned have not offered yet.

“Yeah, Oregon, UCLA, Florida State, and Alabama have not offered but are in regular contact with me.”

You took another unofficial visit to Ole Miss on April 1. How did that go for you?

“It went well. I felt great going back up there. I had not been up there in a while. It was nice going up there and seeing everyone.”

You were supposed to take an unofficial visit to Arkansas put had to cancel. Did you set up another possible time to go up to Fayetteville in the near future?

“We did not have an exact date, but we did talk about me coming up there this spring.”

What other schools are possible unofficial visits for you coming up?

“I am debating on visiting Alabama, LSU, and Mississippi State this weekend. I will go to one of the three schools but I’m not sure which one yet.”

Will you visit Ole Miss again this spring or over the summer?

“Maybe.”

What all did you do during your last visit to Ole Miss?

“I met with everyone, all the coaches, and I had a real good chat with everyone.”

Do you have any plans to release your Top 5 schools?

“Probably this summer.”

Have you thought about when you might verbally commit? Do you want to do it before your senior year begins, after the season, or on National Signing Day?

“More than likely after the season.”

You recently participated at a Nike Opening regional, how did that go?

“It went great. I think my test did not go as well as I wanted in 40 and shuttle, but I balled out. I did real well out there.”

What was your 40-yard dash time?

“4.6.”

And you’re upset about that?

(Laughs)

What was your height and weight at the camp?

“6-foot, 3-inches, 220 pounds.”

What was your vertical jump?

“36-inches.”

Do you remember your SPARQ score?

“I don’t remember.”

Have you maxed out in the offseason on bench, squat, or power clean?

“I have not maxed out on bench this offseason. Last year I was at 295. I did max out on squat at 595.”

Wow. Are you running track for Riverdale this spring?

“Yes.”

Which events?

“The 100 (meters) – starting this week. I’m also throwing the shotput. We had a meet scheduled for today but it was cancelled.”

What is your best in the shotput?

“56-feet.”

What all have you been working on in the offseason to improve your skill set on the field?

“I’m working on getting to the top all the way around.”

Have you been working out at school, with a trainer, or on your own?

“I’ve been doing everything on my own.”

Impressive. How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.5 GPA right now.”

Josh, thanks for your time today. Keep up the hard work in the classroom and good luck with your possible visit this weekend.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: nola.com; No. 2 Josh Clarke, team captain pre-game coin flip.

Photo credit: Clarke family; Josh at Ole Miss (2015).