| Devin Clark |
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NEW MEXICO:
Two-year starter at tackle who quickly developed into one of the team's top players on the offensive line in 2006 and established himself as one of the elite blockers in the Mountain West Conference in 2007...was a strong, physical and aggressive player up front in his 25 Division I games...earned a reputation as one of the MWC's top pass blockers and was named first team all-MWC as a senior...made a remarkably quick impact after joining the team just weeks before the 2006 season began...enrolled at UNM in the summer of `06, but was not cleared academically until mid-August...worked hard to get himself in position to contribute in `06, staying late after every practice to work on his technique and putting in extra time in the film room...had to maximize his time in preseason camp once again after missing most of 2007 spring practice with an ankle injury...suffered a severe sprain one week into the spring and later underwent surgery to stabilize the joint...involved nationally in Olympic-style weightlifting competitions, he placed fourth in the super heavyweight division at the National Junior Weightlifting Championships in March of `06...not surprisingly he won the team's Beefmaster award in `07 for players 275 pounds or heavier...led all offensive linemen in every weight lifting category...had a top bench of 405 pounds, an offensive line record 374 in the power clean and 600 in the squat.
(SENIOR): First team all-MWC selection who was outstanding in all 13 games, helping to return the Lobo offensive line group, known as "The Hitmen," to its traditional place as one of the premier units in the MWC...was slowed a bit early in the season with pain in his surgically repaired ankle, but never missed a snap due to injury...2nd on the team with 99 knockdowns...allowed just 3 sacks in nearly 450 passing attempts despite frequent one-on-one pass protection duties at right tackle...1 sack allowed in the final 7 regular season games...overall performance grade was over 80% in 9 games, including 3 against Utah, BYU and Wyoming's top-25 ranked defenses...was correct on at least 95% of his assignments in 9 games during the fall...also had perfect technique on at least 70% of his snaps 4 games...5 games with double-digit knockdown totals...the effort by The Hitmen up front powered one of the MWC's most balanced offenses and helped UNM rank 3rd in sacks allowed among the league's 8 teams with 300+ passing attempts.
`07 HIGHLIGHTS:
vs. Nevada (New Mexico Bowl)...Tallied 6 more knockdowns and an overall performance grade of 83% in a dominant 548-yard performance by the Lobo offense...gave outstanding effort throughout the day, helping to clear the way for the Lobos' 194 rushing yards, including 167 from back-up RB Paul Baker...no penatlies.
vs. UNLV...Continued his strong play with 11 knockdowns and an 81% overall performance grade...didn't allow any pressure on the QB for the second straight week and helped the Lobos' put up 381 yards of total offense, including 171 on the ground...led the way on WR Travis Brown's 26-yard rushing TD.
at Utah...Outstanding effort, tying his season-high with an 86% overall performance grade against the nation's 16th-ranked defense...didn't allow any pressure on the QB and had no penalties in 76 snaps...also had 8 knockdown blocks...97% assignment grade along with a 72% technique mark and 88% effort grade.
vs. Air Force...Physically dominant performance up front, recording a season-high 16.5 KD blocks...helped Rodney Ferguson pound out 146 yards on 41 carries and did not allow any sacks...81% performance grade, including a 96% assignment mark.
at Wyoming...Big effort up front to help The Hitmen control the line of scrimmage against the nation's 8th-ranked defense...recorded a season-best overall performance grade of 86%, including a season-best technique grade of 76%, in 67 snaps...also tallied 10 knockdown blocks and didn't allow any sacks.
vs. BYU...Put together a complete physical, technical and mental performance against a big, powerful front 7...allowed his first sack of the year, but was otherwise outstanding...piled up 12 knockdown blocks and finished with an overall grade of 84%...was solid on 96% of his assignments and had perfect technique on 70% of his 77 snaps...had the initial block on the screen to spring Rodney Ferguson's 71-yard TD.
vs. Sacramento State...Strong, technically sound game up front, leading the team with a performance grade of 85% (including a 72% technique grade)...just 2 KD blocks, but did not allow any pressure on the QB, had no penalties and helped the offense put up 499 yards and 58 points on the night.
at Arizona...Excellent effort as The Hitmen's performance up front allowed the Lobos to put up 421 yards and 29 points on one of the Pac-10's most experienced and talented defenses...just 2 knockdowns, but did not allow any pressure on the QB and recorded a performance grade of 83%...was perfect on 99% of his assignments.
vs. New Mexico State...Part of another fine performance by The Hitmen who allowed the offense to put up 496 yards and 44 points...graded out at 81% overall, including a 97% assignment mark...8 KD blocks, did not allow any pressure on the QB and had no blocking penalties.
at UTEP...Turned in a physically dominant performance to help clear the way for the Lobos' 193 rushing yards...led the team with 15.5 knockdown blocks and posted a 77% overall performance grade...did not allow a sack and had no penalties.
2006 (JUNIOR): Played in all 13 games, starting the last 12 at right tackle...his rapid development strengthened the starting unit and allowed first team all-MWC honoree Robert Turner to move back to his natural position of RG...the duo worked well together to form the strength of the offensive line...Clark made huge strides in each game and developed into a bonafide force up front in `06...led the team with 52 big effort plays and also had 19 cuts and 19 pins (10 games graded).
`06 HIGHLIGHTS:
New Mexico Bowl (vs. San Jose State)...Did a fine job in the season finale, paving the way for Rodney Ferguson's 3rd straight 100-yard game (102)...did not allow a sack or any hits on the quarterback.
vs. San Diego State...Continued his strong play as The Hitmen blew open some massive holes to clear the way for Rodney Ferguson's 210 yards rushing...Ferguson had 4 runs of 20+ yards, including a 49-yard TD on a 3rd-and-1 play, and wasn't touched until he reached the secondary on his long gains...credited for a season-high 8 big effort plays, along with a pin and a cut in 52 snaps.
at No. 23 BYU...Another outstanding effort as UNM controlled the line of scrimmage against the MWC champions...season-high 6 pins, 5 more big effort plays and one cut block...helped the Lobos put up 418 yards of total offense - the most the Cougars allowed in their 6 home games...UNM also had 173 rushing yards, including 138 by Rodney Ferguson - the most BYU allowed an opposing RB all year...did not allow a sack.
vs. TCU...Recorded a team-high 7 big effort plays, along with 2 cuts and an a pin to help UNM pound out 102 rushing yards against the nation's 4th-ranked rushing defense...after a slow start, the offensive line also allowed just 1 sack during the Lobos' furious second half rally.
at Colorado State...Another fine performance against a tough defensive unit...credited with a team-high 7 big effort plays, along with 4 cut blocks and 2 pins...helped wear down the Rams' front 7, allowing TB Rodney Ferguson to pick up 31 of his 80 yards in the 4th quarter.
vs. Utah...Did an oustanding job as The Hitmen turned in one of their most complete games of the year against a big, physical defensive front...did not allow a sack and helped TB Rodney Ferguson wear down the Utes, rushing for 59 yards in the 4th quarter...the protection he and his linemates provided allowed rookie QB Donovan Porterie to throw for 350 yards - the best by a Lobo in 3 years...got downfield and engulfed the CB to spring Paul Baker's 18-yard gain on a screen pass.
vs. Wyoming...Quietly turned in another strong performance against a stout defensive front...credited with a team-high 7 big effort plays for the third straight week and did not allow a sack...also had 2 cuts and 2 pins in all 67 snaps.
at Air Force...Enjoyed another solid game up front, leading the team with 7 big effort plays for the second straight week...also had a game and season-high 4 pins and 2 cuts in 61 snaps.
vs. UTEP...Turned in his best game as a Lobo against a veteran defense...helped the UNM running game control the game with 193 yards on 45 attempts, including 162 from TB Rodney Ferguson...did not allow a sack...graded out with a team-high 7 big effort plays, along with 4 cuts and 1 pin...got downfield to lead Ferguson on a 21-yard gain late in the 1st half.
at New Mexico State...Played all 60 snaps in his first D-I start...helped the Lobos' tailback trio of Rodney Ferguson, Mike Love and Paul Baker pick up 98 yards on 20 carries (4.9 avg.)...The Hitmen were also much improved in pass protection, allowing just one sack.
SCOTTSDALE CC:
A two-year starter on the offensive line at Scottsdale Community College...first team all-conference and honorable mention All-America in 2005 for head coach Ken Giovando...the Artichokes were 9-2 in 2004 - Clark's freshman season.
HIGH SCHOOL:
A 2004 graduate of Mesa (Ariz.) Mountain View...first team all-state offensive tackle as a senior for head coach Tom Joseph.
PERSONAL:
Born May 22, 1986, in Austin, Texas...age is 21...full name is Devin Lane Clark...son of Herbert and Janet...majoring in University Studies.
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