If you can’t beat them, recruit them. Miami looked to its defeats in searching for defensive tackles, landing Marley Cook of Middle Tennessee and CJ Clark of NC State. Clark will be moving from two-gapping to more of an upfield role, using his quickness (4.62 shuttle in high school) to disrupt and show off for NFL scouts. He spoke to reporters after practice about his transition:
On his first impressions of Miami: A great experience so far. I've just been enjoying it, getting to know teammates every day. Getting better. Nice weather, too.
On why he chose Miami: I’ve just seen the things that Coach Cristobal, Coach Taylor and the staff had going. How they operated as far as the defense. That’s what really made me make that decision to come here.
On what stood out from playing Miami’s OL last year: Definitely the aggression. Matt Lee, those guys, they were just dominant from snap one to the end. No matter what the score was, they were dominant. I kept that thought in my head, and I just kept playing.
On going against Zach Carpenter in practice: He's a good player as well. He's a great piece and I'm looking forward to keep competing with him and getting to know him as well.
On what he brings to the DL: Being explosive, the motor. Getting better and taking coaching. Just being dominant, honestly.
On what he’s seen from his teammates: Really just the intensity. A lot of guys just got a lot of want. I could see that when I was watching film that week at [NC State].
On his mindset: I want to be great. Everyone wants to be great. You got to just push every day to be great. Remember who you are and just continue to just grind every day.
On his first impressions of Miami: A great experience so far. I've just been enjoying it, getting to know teammates every day. Getting better. Nice weather, too.
On why he chose Miami: I’ve just seen the things that Coach Cristobal, Coach Taylor and the staff had going. How they operated as far as the defense. That’s what really made me make that decision to come here.
On what stood out from playing Miami’s OL last year: Definitely the aggression. Matt Lee, those guys, they were just dominant from snap one to the end. No matter what the score was, they were dominant. I kept that thought in my head, and I just kept playing.
On going against Zach Carpenter in practice: He's a good player as well. He's a great piece and I'm looking forward to keep competing with him and getting to know him as well.
On what he brings to the DL: Being explosive, the motor. Getting better and taking coaching. Just being dominant, honestly.
On what he’s seen from his teammates: Really just the intensity. A lot of guys just got a lot of want. I could see that when I was watching film that week at [NC State].
On his mindset: I want to be great. Everyone wants to be great. You got to just push every day to be great. Remember who you are and just continue to just grind every day.
