COUG COMMIT: DB Tracy Clark

by Jeff Nusser on Sep 29, 2009 10:52 AM PDT

The latest Cougar Commit, defensive back Tracy Clark out of Pittsburg (Calif.) High School. (via media.scout.com)

The Cougs picked up verbal commitment No. 13 over the weekend when defenisve back Tracy Clark, out of Pittsburg (Calif.) High School, announced his intention to sign with the Cougs. The news was first reported by Cougfan.com.

What are the Cougs getting in Clark?

Well, he's only rated as a two-star prospect, and Scout.com's measurables don't exactly blow you away -- 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, 4.55 40-yard dash. However, Vince Grippi said that this was a guy the coaching staff went after hard. According to Scout.com, he didn't receive any other BCS scholarship offers, although it was said that Arizona State, Oregon State and Boise State showed interest.

ESPN.com's Scouts, Inc. has this evaluation:

"Clark shows both good aggressiveness and big-play ability at the corner position. While he lacks the bulk and overall size right now we feel his longer body has a lot of physical development left and he'll develop into a safety at the college level (where his speed is better suited). ... Overall, Clark looks to be a late bloomer physically and we like this kid's upside and potential blend of range, athleticism and ball-hawking skills down the line."

In other words, he sounds like the typical, under-the-radar type of recruit the Cougs have made a living off of in the past. The rest of the scouting report is glowing, and if he fulfills that potential, WSU will have a major find on its hands.

I couldn't find any free video, but if you want to check Clark out for yourself, there's some scouting video on his Scouts.com page.

One other thing to keep an eye on: The San Francisco Chronicle says, deep in its notes in this story, that his teammate, receiver Robert Giles, has also committed to the Cougs. However, Giles' name isn't on the verbal list at Cougfan.com, and isn't even on their list of players being recruited. Heck, he doesn't even have his own recruiting page yet at Scout.com or Scouts, Inc. So, I have no idea what's going on there.

EDIT, 11:30 A.M.: So, the reason I couldn't find anything on him was because the Chronicle spelled his name wrong -- it's Robert Jiles. And Cougfan.com is now reporting that he has, in fact, committed. We'll have our breakdown shortly.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Here's Giles Scout page

http://washingtonstate.scout.com/a.z?s=137&p=8&c=1&nid=4492976

Giles and Clark are teammates and made their official visit during the Stanford game. The other teammate? Try Erick Dargan: the four star, No 22 Safety in the nation who was also on that official visit.

by james_WSU on Sep 29, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Oh and there is a video on Clark

on the espn evaluation. The guy looks like a great find. Full of athleticism.

by james_WSU on Sep 29, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, that would explain why I couldn't find the thing

The SF Examiner spelled his name wrong. Geez.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Sep 29, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Ding Ding Ding

You, sir, have found the big target on that team. It’s clear we want Dargan and we want him bad. Picking up 2 of his talented teammates can’t hurt

by Brian Floyd on Sep 29, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

How is Wulff doing this?

One of the worst teams in Cougar history last year, then the abysmal start to this year, yet 6 of the 8 guys who took their official visit during the weekend Stanford was in town verballed already. 6 of 8? And they’ve all got offers from D1 schools. I’m not saying he’s the best recruiter I’ve ever seen, but damn, that’s pretty ridiculous considering the circumstances.

They must be passin’ out the Crimson Kool-Aid. Hell, I’m drinkin’ it, too.

by Kyle Rancourt on Sep 29, 2009 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

I've been reluctant to say it before

But I really think it helps having an alumni leading the charge on recruits. We all know there’s something special about WSU, but even transplants don’t seem to understand it quite as clearly as someone who lived and breathed Pullman for 4, 5, 8 years of undergrad. For all the faults one can find with Wulff, I know I can count on him for two things:
-Nobody wants to win the Apple Cup more than he does
-He gets what it means to be a Coug. And as our recruiting classes are showing, he’s gotta be doing a hell of a job of sharing that passion. Given how the product on the field looks right now, you have to believe that’s playing no small role in getting these verbal commits

Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.

by seattlecougar on Sep 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions