Football Profile: Dominic Clarke a speedster at corner

Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Md., never had a football player earn a scholarship to a Division I school. That changed when Dominic Clarke committed to Ohio State.

Clarke is the No. 19 cornerback in the nation and No. 1 cornerback in Maryland, according to rivals.com, but even he was surprised by OSU's interest.

"He didn't even know OSU noticed him," said Kevin Noon, managing editor of ohiostate.rivals.com. "He's a quiet guy and he takes everything in stride."

GRAHAM CULLEN/THE FREDRICK NEWS-POST

Noon said Clarke was a standout when he watched him on film.

"It's very easy to see what the coaching staff saw in him," Noon said. "He has so much raw ability."

As a junior, Clarke recorded 38 tackles and three interceptions. He also rushed for 837 yards and five touchdowns on offense.

Clarke was named MVP at the National Freshman/Sophomore combine in Virginia and was named 2007 Top Sophomore at the Maryland Coaches Association Combine. He runs a 4.4 second 40-yard dash.

At 5 feet, 10 inches and 183 pounds, Clarke fits the mold for a small, fast cornerback.

"He has so much upside and hits with a ton of ferocity," Noon said. "He's a ballhawker and he has great instincts."

He has also had success as a sprinter. Clarke was named first-team indoor and outdoor sprinter by the Frederick News-Post in Maryland, and his relay team took second in the 4-by-400 meter at the Maryland AAA outdoor state track meet.

While Clarke has succeeded as an athlete, he has also excelled as a student, with a 3.75 grade point average. Even with a long list of accomplishments, Noon said Clarke maintains a humble approach.

"He truly isn't arrogant," Noon said. "He's the type of guy who has a lot of friends."

Clarke is part of a class that boasts three of the nation's top defensive backs. With the departures of Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington, the class will provide much-needed depth in the secondary.

But with a growing crowd of talented defensive backs, Clarke might start on special teams in 2009.

"If I saw him playing more than a snap or two at corner, I would be surprised," Noon said. "He will be in the mix for a starting position in 2010."

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