Chuck Clark Shines in the Virginia Tech Spring Game

Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Christion Jones (22) runs against Virginia Tech Hokies free safety Chuck Clark (19) during the third quarter of the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies had their Spring Game today as they concluded Spring Practice with the White team beating the Maroon team by a score of 7 to 3. As you can tell from the score, defense dominated today for the Hokies as the offense struggled some more though they showed promise. However, the defense was what dominated the Spring Game as Bud Foster has to be happy with the way his defense has played this spring. There was one player in the game who stood out more than any other player on the defensive side of the ball and that was sophomore safety Chuck Clark.

Chuck Clark might be stuck as a backup cornerback and free safety but Clark showed that he has the talent to possibly take a starting job in the fall but also be a really good safety in the future. Chuck Clark seemed to be all over the field making plays for the Hokies and it showed with his 6 tackles on the afternoon including 1.5 tackles for loss which is very impressive for a defensive back. Clark was all over the field and he constantly seemed to be making positive plays in this game while avoiding having any sort of bad plays.

Chuck Clark seems to have great closing speed and reactive instincts to make plays around the line of scrimmage defending the run or limiting the gains of an opponent in the passing game. Chuck Clark seemed to also do a good job reading the opposing quarterback in the Spring Game whether it was Mark Leal or Andrew Ford as Clark officially had one pass deflection but it seemed like he did a lot more than just that. Chuck Clark showed that he is guy that has the skills to make plays while not making any mistakes in the Spring Game.

It still seems very unlikely that Chuck Clark would somehow jump Detrick Bonner on the depth chart and become the starting free safety but Clark might be able to put a little pressure on Bonner. Of course, Detrick Bonner also played fairly well in the Spring Game so any chance that Chuck Clark starts over the Bonner is unrealistic as Bonner is still the more experienced and better player. However, Clark did prove that he should be the replacement for Bonner at free safety beyond 2014 as Clark still will have two more years of eligibility while Bonner will have graduated. Chuck Clark looked like a guy that has a very bright future ahead of him after a strong Spring Game performance.

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