Akron Archbishop Hoban quarterback Danny Clark has always been a Buckeye. When Ohio State offered him a full-ride scholarship in late 2013, there was little doubt the 6-foot-4, 223-pounder would go on to become the next great signal caller to wear the Scarlet and Gray.
He even got a Block “O” tattooed on his left arm to symbolize the bond that he forged with the program. But all that aside, Clark decommited from Ohio State on Tuesday — a decision that he arrived at on his own.
Out of respect for coaches on OSU staff, I will not be answering any questions on this topic. Ever... pic.twitter.com/KCUR4ZzcaA
— 10 Weeks (@DClarkQB) September 27, 2016
An extremely talented quarterback, Clark played a vital role in leading his high school to its first state title last season.
But as he acknowledged, his pro-style abilities do not mesh with head coach Urban Meyer's zone-read-based philosophy in which the quarterback must make quick decisions with the ball and make people miss with his feet. It's why J.T. Barrett is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the country and what made Braxton Miller into a legend.
It was a tough decision, most certainly — one that I'm not sure even I would have had the ability to endure. It sucks, quite frankly, that he'll never fulfill his dream of playing for Ohio State, but sometimes one's dreams aren't always their best path forward.
It was a tough decision, most certainly — one that I'm not sure even I would have had the ability to endure.
Clark was considered one of the brightest rising quarterbacks in high school football when he committed despite having played only one year of varsity football at Massillon Washington. He wasn't far enough along in the process to be ranked by any major recruiting services, but schools such as Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State and West Virginia were showing significant interest.
Ohio State knew Clark would end his recruitment the moment he received a committable offer, so Meyer obliged. Clark was the first high school freshman quarterback to be extended an offer in school history … and he may very well be the last.
Too many things change between an athlete's freshman and senior seasons — be it the kid not playing up to the potential he'd shown previously, coaching changes or the school deciding to move in a different direction at the position, and so on. So it was no surprise when Meyer was asked at Monday's morning press conference about extending offers to kids early along in the process.
“Our coaches might have [offered a recruit early] just to get in the dance, to get in the game,” Meyer said before driving home his stance on an early signing period — which he is vehemently against.
I'm sure it won't be the last time Meyer brings up the topic, either.
“You make too many mistakes in recruiting [and] someone else is probably standing up here [at the podium],” he continued. “Kid makes a mistake, they just transfer. That's why they transfer … Bodies change and the game of football [does, too]. I want as much time [as possible]. I want to watch them play their senior year.”
“You're going to see more transfers and more mistakes in recruiting than ever if they keep pushing this thing up.”– Urban Meyer
The recruiting process is unpredictable, and it's hard for programs to gauge how a young prospect may fit into their system. Meyer doesn't want an early signing period for this exact reason — it's beneficial for neither the school nor the recruit.
But it's even more difficult for a 17-year-old to put aside his dream of playing at Ohio State. Clark is doing what's best for his future, even if it's not what he's envisioned from the time he picked up a football.
And that's why Meyer is right to continuously express his aversion to having an early signing period in college football.
“You're going to see more transfers and more mistakes in recruiting than ever if they keep pushing this thing up,” Meyer said.
