Early signing day 2020: South Sound high school football players headed to next level
It looks like the 2020 football season will be a redshirt year at Boise State for Lincoln High School corner Donovan Clark.
At the Lincoln library early Wednesday morning in front of family, friends, coaches and teammates, Clark was one of many high school athletes around the South Sound, the state and the country to ink his National Letter of Intent during college football’s early signing period, which runs through Friday.
And he did so with one leg lifted onto a chair next to him and crutches by his side.
Unknowingly, Clark had played his entire senior season with a torn ACL, which he believes he suffered in a week one contest against Camas. He missed a few games at the start of the season with knee soreness, but returned to action for the second half of the season and played through the injury.
When he received the diagnosis from a doctor after the season ended and was told he’d need surgery, he was stunned.
“I was shocked, just to know I played on it like I was,” Clark said. “But I just put a big smile on my face and just laugh about it.”
Indeed, Clark was in good spirits on Wednesday morning, realizing a longtime dream of signing to play Division I football, just one day after his surgery.
“I was shocked,” said Lincoln coach Masaki Matsumoto. “He missed a few games. During some points, it seemed like he was a little tentative. Now, it totally makes sense. Props to him for being able to play through that. It was amazing.”
The recovery timetable will keep Clark from playing as a true freshman, but will allow him a chance to redshirt and acclimate to the program while he rehabs.
“Academically, they just have everything there and it’s a perfect fit for me,” Clark said. “I’m just looking to get into their school program and then obviously, football will come in. So I’m just happy about just being there. It’s official. I’ll be over there, adapting and everything.”
Clark only spent one season at Lincoln, after transferring from Sumner High School in the spring of his junior year. He made the most of his time with the Abes, quickly emerging as a vocal leader during offseason workouts and trainings, never missing a 5:45 a.m. workout with the team.
“He’s super committed,” Matsumoto said. “As he got more comfortable with the team, he started speaking up and preaching our culture, holding kids accountable when they weren’t doing the right thing or going as hard as they could.
“Just really stepped up as a leader. The player part, we knew he was going to be a great player. We were just super impressed with the leader he became.”
Clark projects as a corner for Boise State, which is where he played his entire high school career. Matsumoto said he’s a natural fit at the position.
“He’s a really good man-coverage player,” Matsumoto said. “He can cover with press technique. He’s really good at that. He’s fundamentally sound. He’s fast. He has the ability to stay with a receiver wherever he goes.”
Clark faces a challenging road in regards to his recovery, but is optimistic for the future.
“Just lots of excitement,” Clark said. “I’m really speechless. This is a big next chapter of my life and I’m ready to get after it.”
KENNEDY CATHOLIC’S SAV’ELL SMALLS, JUSTIN BAKER HEADED TO PAC-12
Let the rivalry begin.
When asked about facing high school teammate and UW signee Sav’ell Smalls in the future, Cal signee Justin Baker made a bold prediction after Kennedy Catholic’s signing ceremony with friends, family, teachers and coaches in attendance on Wednesday afternoon.
“I will never, once in my life, at Cal Berkeley, lose to UW,” Baker told the media contingent in attendance.
Fans will have to wait and see whether that prediction pans out in the future, but one thing is certain: UW and Cal are getting a talented pair of players.
Baker, considered a three-star prospect by 247sports.com, has been committed to Cal since the summer.
“I feel so blessed,” Baker said. “It’s so exciting, knowing how hard I’ve worked. It’s a big relief. Now I know I can just train. I just can’t wait. I just want to be the best I can and help my team in all ways possible.”
Baker caught 57 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season and added 259 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 26 carries.
UW, meanwhile, was able to hold onto Smalls, a five-star recruit, even with a coaching change. After Chris Petersen shocked the country by announcing he was stepping down, UW turned to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake to take over the program.
“It was a shocker,” Smalls said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about changing my mind for a second, thinking about where the program is going to head and what direction the program will be. As soon as I found out about Coach Lake (taking over), he told me his vision for the program and after that, I was solid.”
Smalls said he believes UW athletic director Jen Cohen made the right decision by hiring Lake as Petersen’s replacement.
“Coach Lake is one of the best defensive minds in all of football,” Smalls said. “He brings a fiery attitude and I feel like he’s going to take us to the next level.”
Smalls projects as a “buck” defensive end/outside linebacker in the Huskies’ defense.
SOUTH SOUND ATHLETES SIGNING IN EARLY PERIOD
If anyone needs to be added to this list, please email preps reporter Jon Manley at jon.manley@thenewstribune.com.
Gig Harbor: Samuel Peacock, offensive line, Washington; Brenden Rivera, offensive line, Eastern Washington.
Lincoln: Donovan Clark, corner, Boise State.
Tahoma: Sam Petersen, offensive/defensive line, Air Force.
Bethel: Robert Cooper, defensive line, Boise State.
Puyallup: Danny Uluilakepa, linebacker, Montana State; Braeden Bellmer, offensive line, Columbia; Austin Lawrence, offensive line, Northern Colorado.
Bonney Lake: Aron Oliva, defensive line, Idaho State
Mount Tahoma: Taliese Fuaga, offensive line, Oregon State.
Kennedy Catholic: Sav’ell Smalls, defensive line/linebacker, Washington; Justin Baker, receiver, California.
Kentwood: Wyatt Hansen, offensive line, Eastern Washington.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 11:50 AM.
