Former Miami defensive back Marcus Clarke converted to walk-on due to issue

On3 imageby:Wade Peery•09/14/22

Wednesday night on his radio show, Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz said former Miami Hurricanes’ defensive back Marcus Clarke will be classified as a walk-on, according to Dave Matter of the St. Louis Dispatch. He’ll be classified as a walk-on due to the fact that Missouri doesn’t have any more scholarships, according to Drinkwitz.

A former three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle, Clarke started four games for the Miami Hurricanes last season. He entered the transfer portal on August 19th and officially joined the Tigers’ program on August 30th.

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During his Miami career, Clarke racked up 29 tackles and two interceptions in 15 career games with the ‘Canes. In 2021, he made four starts, finishing with 24 total tackles. He made his season debut that year against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 4. Clarke tallied his first tackle of the season against the Virginia Cavaliers on Sept. 30.

As a true freshman in 2020, he played in six games, finishing with five tackles and one interception. Clarke’s first career interception came against the Duke Blue Devils on Dec. 5. Coming out of Winter Park high School (Winter Park, Fla.), he put up some impressive numbers. During three seasons there, he racked up over 2,500 all-purpose yards, snatching six interceptions and returning eight punts back for touchdown.

When he suited up for Winter Park, he led them to three district championships. Clarke initially chose Miami over overs from Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota, N.C. State, Pitt, Tennessee, UCF, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Colorado State, FAU, and FIU, among others. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2020 cycle, he was rated as the No. 78 defensive back in America and the No. 857 overall ranked prospect in the nation.

Missouri will face off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for noon and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.