Wednesday marked the end of a long, arduous process for Jessie Clark. It also marked a new beginning. With his acceptance to Montana State, Clark can now pursue a goal no one in his family has ever achieved: earning a four-year college degree.
The much hyped, much anticipated junior college defensive end arrived at Montana State football practice on Wednesday afternoon after months of uncertainty. Clark did not sign a National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day in February. He did sign two days later, but still had to earn his associates degree from Los Angeles Harbor Community College by passing two classes this summer.
“This has been a long time coming,” Clark said with a broad smile before Montana State’s Wednesday practice. “It wasn’t going to be easy. Just getting my classes and stuff and everything, all that is good now and now I’m just ready to get on the field and make some plays.”
Clark, a native of Montpelier, Louisiana, originally committed to Alabama State in an effort to be closer to his family, namely his soon to be 5-year-old daughter born when he was 15 years old and still in high school. But after making a late visit to Montana State and meeting MSU head coach Rob Ash and defensive line coach Bo Beck, he knew Bozeman was the best fit. After grinding through a session of summer school and arriving late to MSU fall camp, Clark has a renewed initiative to succeed.
“Right now, I’m working on getting my mom right and I have a little girl, she’s about to be five in November,” Clark said. “I want to make a brighter future for them, break this chain. I’m going to be the first one in my life to finish college in my history. I’m going to break this chain to start another little background for my family so maybe they can follow in my footsteps.”
Clark finished his academic work in fine fashion. MSU head coach Rob Ash said he got straight As. Clark joins the Bobcats 17 days after they began fall camp but for those involved with the program, it was better late than never.
“Take football off the plate, the kid needs an education,” Beck said. “We had some hiccups with the paperwork but we got it worked out finally. His energy is good. He’s so happy to be here and have the opportunity and he’s very vocal about that. He is always hugging Coach (Ash) and he is so thankful. He’s going to take advantage of it.”
When Clark signed, the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder was considered the defensive gem of the 2015 class by the MSU defensive coaches. Clark fielded offers from Fresno State, UNLV, Alabama State and Idaho State. That was all secondary on Wednesday when Clark first walked on to the practice field.
“I’m not going to sit here and say what kind of player he is going to be,” Ash said. “To me, that’s not important right now. He’s getting a chance now to finish he education, be the first one in his family to get a degree and move on to a better, bigger place in his life. His Pell grant will help him have some money to eat. It’s all key to be effective.”
Clark signed as a 250-pounder with 4.55-second speed in the 40-yard dash. His final season at Los Angeles Harbor, he notched 9.5 tackles for loss as he lived in opponents’ backfields while playing defensive end and defensive tackle.
On Wednesday, Clark showed up much lighter. He’s had a hard time maintaining his physical fortitude since his junior college playing career ended. Because he came to Bozeman at 235 pounds, he’ll initially play MSU’s Bandit end position. Once his weight is back up to par, he’ll play both end spots. He could also play on the inside in pass rushing situations.
“He just doesn’t have any money and when he was done with JC football, he couldn’t eat,” Beck said. “Once he gets on his meal plan here and he gets a lot of food in his system, maybe he’s 255, 260 again. That will give us time to teach us both.”
Beck’s group has seen a huge change in dynamic, mentality and role during the almost-complete MSU fall camp. A group previously built around premier pass rushers like Dane Fletcher, Caleb Schreibeis and Brad Daly has since gravitated toward a rotation strategy that will emphasize rotating since Kane Ioane took over as MSU’s defensive coordinator.
“Don’t talk to me, show me something and he’s one that will show me something,” Beck said. “We’ve had some guys who have talked a big game and they have no engine in them.
“The guys already like him. They liked him on his trip. I get a little concerned about when a guy like him gets a lot of media pub before he hits the field. But the idea of what we are doing this year, we are not really threatened with him taking spots away. He’ll only add to the group and strengthen our rotation. “
Other MSU players have reached out to Clark as well. Starting junior quarterback Dakota Prukop sent messages to Clark on Twitter frequently during the process. Redshirt freshman linebacker Koni Dole, Clark’s new roommate, also made sure to reach out with phone calls, Clark said.
Clark has dreadlocks down to the middle of his No. 33 jersey. He talks with a twang that certainly has Cajun and Southern influence from his Louisiana roots. He doesn’t look much like his new neighbors and he doesn’t sound much like his new teammates. After just four days in Montana, he seems to be acclimating just fine.
“I love the people up here,” Clark said. “When I came out here on my visit, this is what got me: the people. I can play football anywhere. The people, they really got me here. Coach Beck, Coach Ash, they did a great job getting me here. I love Montana. I don’t ever want to leave.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.