Collegiate def. end Trace Clark (in blue) prepares for the snap of the ball versus Rose Hill |
Wichita Collegiate defensive end Trace Clark has committed to continuing his football career at Oklahoma State next season.
Clark committed to the Cowboys on Thursday night in a private meeting with OSU Head Coach Mike Gundy.
"Trace is as good of a person as he is a football player," said his former head coach Bill Messamore. "He is a 4.0 student and one of the top students in his class."
For Clark, this decision was about more than just football, but academics as well.
"A lot of the schools that offered scholarships to Trace where eliminated because he wants to be an engineer," Messamore said.
Clark will join former Southeast tailback Joseph Randle and Derby defensive back Devin Hedgepeth as area athletes now playing in Stillwater. It's not just a coincidence that Clark is following in their footsteps.
"I certainly think it helped to have those two kids from our area already down there," said Messamore.
Clark, who was listed as 6'5, 245lb on this year's roster, had a standout career for the Spartans that included significant playing time on the 2009 State Championship team as a sophomore, and a leadership role this season. Clark was named the Defensive MVP for the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division 4, and was also a first-team Tight End.
Clark comes from an athletic family. His father Steve played for Kansas State, and one season in the NFL for the New England Patriots. His brother Zac was last seen as an Oregon Duck in the BCS National Championship game in 2011.
Clark is the 12th student-athlete from Collegiate who has received a football scholarship in the past 18 years, according to Messamore.
