Miami CB Marcus Clarke Has Transferred to Mizzou
As the Missouri Tigers prepare for their season-opener Thursday against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, they now appear to have added an additional piece to the secondary for the future.
It was reported on Monday evening that former Miami Hurricanes cornerback Marcus Clarke was on campus at Missouri with the "expectation is that he ends up transferring to the Tigers."
Now, it appears as if he is already enrolled and his transfer is official, with Clarke now appearing in the Missouri student directory according to Chris Hummer of 247 Sports.
Clarke is a recent arrival in the transfer portal, as he entered on Aug. 20.
Barring a waiver, he will not be able to play this fall after missing the NCAA’s May 1 deadline for undergrad transfers to be eligible to play in the fall with the one-time transfer rule.
“It was lack of reps; things weren’t really working out at the new program,” Clarke told the Sun Sentinel. “I just wish the best for the guys that are there, working their butts off. I just needed a fresh, new start in a new place to find that.”
In two seasons with the Hurricanes, Clarke recorded 29 total tackles, two passes defended, and two interceptions. During the early part of 2021, Clarke and the Hurricanes matched up against some elite ACC quarterbacks and came away with wins.
In a 31-30 win over Devin Leary and the No. 18 N.C State Wolfpack, Clarke had four total tackles and a pass defense.
The following week, Miami defeated quarterback Kenny Pickett, Biletnikoff-winning receiver Jordan Addison, and the No. 17 Pitt Panthers in a 38-34 thriller. Clarke had six total tackles, the second-most among Hurricanes that game.
He ended off his Miami career with an interception in a 47-10 win over the Duke Blue Devils last season.
Despite not being able to play in 2022 without a waiver, his addition will bolster a Mizzou secondary in 2023.
Last season, the Tigers allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per contest (216.1) and had two defensive backs finish in the top three in the conference in total interceptions.
The Tigers kickoff against the Bulldogs on Thursday at 7 p.m. C.T.
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