Kei'Trel Clark 2023 NFL Draft Profile

The Louisville corner has been consistent with his production in all four years in college.

Prospect: Kei'Trel Clark
Position: Cornerback
School: Louisville
Year: True Senior

Background

Born Mar. 19, 2001 (age 22) to father Kelvin and mother Anelia Clark, with his stepfather Jordan Vaughn helping Anelia raise him. A native of Richmond, Va., he was a four-year letterman in football at Manchester High School. In his senior season, he finished with 26 tackles and five interceptions on defense and five touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns, helping Manchester go 15-0 for the 2018 Class 6A state championship.

However, he was regarded as an unranked prospect in the Class of 2018, with only FCS and Group of Five schools extending offers. He was a one-time Charlotte commit, only to back off this verbal pledge and later choose to play for Liberty and Hugh Freeze.

Clark had an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2019. Starting seven games while playing all 13, he logged 38 tackles with six pass breakups, 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a blocked field goal.

However, this would be his lone season with the Flames. Due to "cultural incompetent within multiple level of leadership" at Liberty that did not "line up with my code of ethics," Clark would enter the portal. He chose Louisville over West Virginia, and was granted a waiver by the NCAA to be immediately eligible.

Like in his first season at Liberty, Clark had an immediate impact in his first year with the Cardinals. Making 10 appearances with eight starts, he collected 36 tackles with 2.0 coming for a loss, as well as an interception and 11 pass defenses. The latter was not only good for second in the ACC, but tied for 12th nationally. He was tabbed as a Second-Team All-ACC selection.

Clark took a large step forward in 2021, and was trending towards first round draft prospect status before tearing his left ACL in the second half of the season. Despite playing in just eight games, he tied for the most pass defenses in the ACC with 12, while also snagging three interceptions and tallying 40 tackles and 3.5 for loss. He was again took home Second-Team All-ACC honors.

He opted to bypass the 2022 NFL Draft and return to Louisville for his senior season. Coming off of the ACL tear, Clark struggled at times over the first half of the season, but rounded back into form in the latter half. He finished the year with a career-high 51 tackles and 4.0 for loss, a sack, an interception and five pass defenses. Also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and his lone interception was a pick six. He was named a Third-Team All-ACC selection.

Measurements

At the NFL Combine, Clark measured in at 5 feet and 10 2/8 inches (5102) and 181 pounds, along with 8 1/4" hands and 29 5/8″ arms. Clark ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 and the short shuttle in 4.21 seconds. Finally, Clark leapt 10 feet and 2 inches (122″) in the broad jump and 34.5″ in the vertical. Based on these measurements and numbers, Clark earned a Relative Athletic Score of 7.67 out of 10, ranking 519th out of 2,220 cornerbacks from 1987 through 2023 (76th percentile).

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Very twitchy and athletic. Has the ability to run stride-for-stride with most receivers, as well as the foot speed and fluid hips to quickly close in on plays and cut off routes.
• Incredibly high football IQ and instincts. Has a nose for making a play on the football, especially in zone coverage. Also has the awareness to regularly locate the ball in man coverage.
• Plays tough for a smaller defensive back, as showcased both during his career and during the East-West Shrine Bowl. Always has a chip on his shoulder.

Weaknesses

• Height and length are well below the norm in the NFL for corners. Bigger and more physical wide receivers are clear mismatches.
• Took reps in the slot this past season and mostly struggled. However, it was his first time playing on the inside as he had previously been exclusively an outside corner.
• Displays average overall strength and defense against the run, which goes hand-in-hand.

NFL Comparison

Jonathan Jones (Auburn - 2012-15, New England Patriots - 2016-22)

Highlights

(Photo of Kei'Trel Clark via University of Louisville Athletics)

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