Cats, Gators like Florida ATH

When you play in a state as loaded with talent as Florida, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and labeled a “sleeper” prospect.

Such is the case for Jacksonville Mandarin athlete Patrick Clark, a terrific overall athlete who is seeking to add some major scholarship offers to his list.

Mandarin coach Richard Burnoski says Clark (5-10, 175, 4.45) has offers from South Florida, Marshall, Bowling Green and Middle Tennessee, and the player says he’s received an official offer from Bethune-Cookman himself.

“I’m starting to get some phone calls from some big schools,” Clark said. “Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Southern Miss have called. I got to speak with Kentucky and Southern Miss face-to-face when they came to our game. It wasn’t anything too long, just to say hello, but I know they’re recruiting me now.”

Clark said it’s too early to for him to list a top five, but if he had his way, he’d like to go to Florida.

“That’s been my favorite school and I like their offense a lot,” he said. “I’m hoping they’ll offer me a scholarship. I get a lot of written letters from coach Fedora, probably about 2-3 a week.

“I like Wake Forest, too. They would be No. 2 right now. I like the direction their football program is headed and the academics they have there. I’d also have a chance to play pretty early.”

He's yet to make any visits this fall, but plans on attending Florida's game against Ole Miss on Oct. 4. The Miami-Florida State game is also on his schedule.

Clark was primarily used as a running back last season at University Christian, rushing for 750 yards and 14 touchdonws. After transferring to Mandarin, he’s been shifted to wideout, where he projects on the next level.

“I’ve caught nine passes for 200 and something yards and two touchdowns so far,” he said. “We’re 3-0 right now heading into our big game with Ed White.”

Academically, he maintains a 3.0 GPA and has scored a 17 on the ACT.