Will Clarke (American football) explained

Will Clarke
Current Team:Arlington Renegades
Number:45
Position:Defensive end
Birth Date:4 May 1991
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:271
High School:Pittsburgh (PA) Allderdice
College:West Virginia
Draftyear:2014
Draftround:3
Draftpick:88
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:37
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:7.0
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue3:2
Pfr:ClarWi00

William Clarke Jr. (born May 4, 1991) is an American football defensive end for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at West Virginia.

Early life

Clarke attended Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[1] [2] where he was a two-time Tribune Review All-City League as tight end and linebacker.

He was considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.[3]

College career

Clarke attended West Virginia University from 2009 to 2013. In 2009, he redshirted as a true freshman. In 2010, he played in only four games. In 2011, he played in all 13 games, starting 11, recording 34 tackles, including five for loss and two sacks. In 2012, he started 12 games, recording 26 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2013, he set career highs in tackles (49), tackles for loss (17), and sacks (6), while earning second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.[4]

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals

He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round (88th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[5]

On September 2, 2017, Clarke was released by the Bengals.[6]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 5, 2017, Clarke signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[7]

On March 15, 2018, Clarke re-signed with the Buccaneers.[8] He was released by the team on September 3, 2018.[9] He was re-signed on September 12, 2018.[10] On October 10, 2018, Clarke was released by the Buccaneers.[11]

St. Louis BattleHawks

Clarke signed with the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL in December 2019. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[12]

Detroit Lions

Clarke had a tryout with the Detroit Lions on August 19, 2020,[13] and signed with the team four days later.[14] He was released on September 5, 2020.[15]

New Orleans Saints

On October 22, 2020, Clarke was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.[16] He was released on November 17, 2020.[17]

Arlington Renegades

On November 17, 2022, Clarke was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.[18] He re-signed with the team on January 24, 2024.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: White. Mike. Woodland Hills is one of only 10 schools in the country with five NFL players. October 26, 2017. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 26, 2017.
  2. Web site: Profile: Will Clarke. NFL.com. October 26, 2017.
  3. https://sports.yahoo.com/pittsburgh/football/recruiting/player-Will-Clarke-84897 Will Clarke - Yahoo Sports
  4. http://www.wvusports.com/page.cfm?story=24753&cat=football SIMS, SPAIN, CLARKE, O'TOOLE ON AP ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
  5. Web site: 2014 NFL Draft: With The No. 88 Pick The Cincinnati Bengals Select West Virginia DE Will Clarke. CincyJungle.com. May 9, 2014. September 9, 2018.
  6. Web site: NFL roster cuts 2017: Cincinnati Bengals 53-man roster. Toback, Rebecca. CincyJungle.com. September 2, 2017.
  7. Web site: Buccaneers Add Will Clarke to D-Line. Smith, Scott. Buccaneers.com. September 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180210002358/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Buccaneers-Add-Will-Clarke-to-D-Line/7006199e-a64f-4f61-9fdc-d30626c3b089. February 10, 2018.
  8. Web site: Bucs re-sign top pass-rushing end Will Clarke. Gantt, Darin. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. March 16, 2018.
  9. Web site: Bucs Nab DE Carl Nassib in Waiver Claim. Smith, Scott. Buccaneers.com. September 3, 2018.
  10. Web site: Bucs Lose Vernon Hargreaves to Injured Reserve. Smith, Scott. Buccaneers.com. September 12, 2018.
  11. Web site: DE Demone Harris Promoted to Active Roster. Smith, Scott. Buccaneers.com. October 10, 2018.
  12. News: Condotta, Bob . XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue . SeattleTimes.com . April 10, 2020 . July 17, 2020.
  13. AlbertBreer . Today's workouts/visits. . 1296191904980312070 . August 19, 2020 . August 21, 2020.
  14. Web site: Lions sign free agent DE Will Clarke. 2020-08-23. www.detroitlions.com. en-US.
  15. Web site: Lions announce roster moves. DetroitLions.com. September 5, 2020.
  16. Web site: Saints sign veteran defensive end Will Clarke to their practice squad. NOLA.com. October 22, 2020.
  17. News: Johnson, Luke . Saints sign defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow to practice squad . NOLA.com . November 17, 2020 . December 24, 2020.
  18. Web site: 2022-11-18 . Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed . 2022-12-30 . ESPN.com . en.
  19. UFL_PR . The United Football League, the premier spring football league, has agreed to terms with the following 8 players for the upcoming 2024 season. . 1750315489593528795 . January 24, 2024 . January 24, 2024.