Defensive lineman Kenny Clark declares for the 2016 NFL draft
Junior defensive lineman Kenny Clark announced Monday afternoon that he will enter the 2016 NFL draft. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Korbin Placet
Dec. 28, 2015 4:41 p.m.
Defensive lineman Kenny Clark announced Monday afternoon that he will forgo his last year of eligibility to enter the 2016 NFL draft.
Clark made the announcement on Twitter.
— Kenny Clark (@KCBoutThatLife) December 28, 2015
The 6-foot-3-inch, 310-pound lineman received a second-round draft grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. Clark’s athleticism and pass rush ability has caused him to stand out among lineman. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Clark as the No. 4 defensive tackle for this year’s draft class.
“For them to even say that you’re a second-round pick is a great accomplishment for yourself,” Clark told Scout.com last week before the Foster Farms Bowl. “Definitely it motivates me to want to be a first-round pick. I don’t try to put any pressure of anything on myself. It is what it is.”
The junior lineman has started in a total of 39 games for UCLA, steadily improving each season. He posted 31 tackles, four for a loss in his true freshman season, and 58 tackles, 5.5 for a loss in his sophomore season.
This year, Clark was the cornerstone of the Bruin defense, registering a total of 75 tackles, second-most on the team. In addition, he recorded six sacks for the season. He was UCLA’s lone All-Pac-12 first-teamer.
Clark is now the third Bruin to declare for 2016 NFL draft. Linebacker Myles Jack declared back in October after a season-ending injury, while guard Alex Redmond made his announcement last week, missing Saturday’s bowl game.
Compiled by Korbin Placet, Bruin Sports senior staff.
