Kei’Trel Clark Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Adam Creech/Louisville Athletics)

School: Louisville (Junior)

Position: CB

HT: 5’10

WT: 180 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #89

Originally, Kei’Trel Clark was an unranked high school recruit out of Midlothian, Virginia and attended Manchester High School. Clark earned all-region honors as both a defensive back and a punt return specialist in high school. He was offered scholarships from schools such as Charlotte, Akron, Liberty, and Howard. He ultimately committed to Liberty out of high school. Clark spent one season at Liberty before transferring to Louisville before the 2020 season. Clark did not enter the transfer portal due to a lack of opportunity, but he shined at Liberty and took advantage of that in order to get more eyes on him at a bigger school. Clark was a member of the All-ACC teams all three seasons that he was at Louisville.

He has a knack for getting his hand on the football, while he may not have the interception numbers to prove it, he has the pass breakups. Clark is a playmaker, plain and simple. He is athletic and quick in the secondary. Clark’s frame may concern some teams as he is a bit limited due to his smaller stature. However, in his last season at Louisville, Clark moved to the slot/nickel corner position. This position change caters to Clark’s profile and size. Playing on the inside lines him up across from those smaller and quicker slot receivers that Clark can keep up with. Clark has no problem handling or containing speed from a wide receiver. He has great instincts when sticking to a receiver’s hip. He is fluid when it comes to transitioning from the backpedal. When covering go routes, Clark can shift his hips in a complete 180 degree turn from the backpedal to a full sprint without losing a step on the defender. When covering the twitchier receivers who like to work in and out of breaks, Clark is able to stop on a dime and not lose his assignment. His combination of speed, ball skills, and instincts make him a pain to keep track of in the secondary. Clark is a smaller player, but he is aggressive. Not only is he aggressive when it comes to making plays on the ball, but also when it comes to making a tackle. He takes good angles to the ball carrier and is willing to throw his body around to make a tackle. He is both willing to make the tackle, but also effective in doing so. Clark is certainly an above-average tackler for a nickel cornerback.

On the list of things working against Clark, it is limited but worth noting. Clark has a frame and skill set that projects him to solely play nickel cornerback. While that is a limiting position, the nickel position is becoming more and more common in the NFL. Clark can get bullied around if he’s not matched up against the smaller slot receivers. Clark will provide much sought after ball skills and athleticism, put him in the right scheme and he will be able to shine.

Scheme Fit: 4-2-5 Nickel

Ideal Role: Nickel CB

Best Team Fits: CAR, DET, WSH

Player Comparison: Mike Hilton

Player Grade: 73.7