Damone Clark (/dəˈmn/ duh-MONE;[1] born June 28, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.

Damone Clark
refer to caption
Clark with the LSU Tigers in 2019
No. 18 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2000-06-28) June 28, 2000 (age 24)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Southern University Laboratory
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
College:LSU (2018–2021)
NFL draft:2022 / round: 5 / pick: 176
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:156
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Clark was born and lived in New Orleans until his family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, after which they moved to Baton Rouge.[2] He attended Southern University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge.[3] During his junior season, Clark recorded 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks, and four interceptions.[4]

College career

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Clark played in 12 games during his freshman season on special teams and as a reserve linebacker behind starter Devin White.[5] He played in all 15 of LSU's games with three starts as a sophomore and had 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks as the Tigers won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.[6] Clark was chosen to wear the No. 18 jersey by the Tigers' coaching staff going into his junior season.[7] He finished the season tied for the team lead with 63 tackles.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+12 in
(1.89 m)
239 lb
(108 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.57 s 1.55 s 2.63 s 7.12 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

Clark was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round, 176th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.[11] On June 23, 2022, it was announced that Clark had undergone spinal fusion surgery in March and would miss part of the 2022 season.[12] He was activated off of injured reserve on October 5.[13]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds TD PD
2022 DAL 10 5 47 29 18 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 DAL 17 17 109 70 39 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Career 27 22 156 99 57 0.0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds TD PD
2022 DAL 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 DAL 1 1 8 5 3 - - - - - - - - -
Career 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "2022 Dallas Cowboys Media Guide" (PDF). NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  2. ^ Dellenger, Ross (January 15, 2017). "A real pick-me-up: Southern Lab LB Damone Clark commits to LSU at midfield of Tiger Stadium". NOLA.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  3. ^ Weathers, William (December 20, 2017). "LSU lands strong-willed linebacker in Damone Clark from Southern Lab". The Advocate. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  4. ^ Scarborough, Mike (January 15, 2017). "Louisiana linebacker Damone Clark commits to LSU". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  5. ^ Miller, Brody (November 24, 2021). "From benched to Butkus: How LSU LB Damone Clark learned to trust himself and why those around him believed all along". The Athletic. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  6. ^ Miller, Brody (August 7, 2020). "The weight (and the will) Damone Clark carries into his potential breakout year". The Athletic. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Auzenne, Josh (September 18, 2020). "JaCoby Stevens set to wear No. 7; Curry and Clark will wear No. 18". WAFB9.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  8. ^ Mickles, Sheldon (September 30, 2021). "Veteran Damone Clark establishes his link in chain of LSU linebacker standouts". The Advocate. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Damone Clark Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "2022 Draft Scout Damone Clark, LSU NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Phillips, Rob (April 30, 2022). "Clark, Ridgeway Highlight Four 5th-Round Picks". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Fisher, Mike (July 27, 2022). "Cowboys Camp: How 'Fate' - And Spine Surgery - Brought Rookie LB Damone Clark to Dallas". SI.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Levine, Ben (October 5, 2022). "Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/22". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
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