Michigan State University Athletics
Donavon Clark: Versatility Along the Line
10/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Nick Barnowski, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
With the attention of his teammates and coaches solely on him, there was a lot going on in Donavon Clark's mind.
The three-year starter on one of the best offensive lines in the country spent 15 minutes giving his senior speech to the team during preseason camp in August, a quarter of an hour that at one point in his life would have felt like an eternity.
Clark, who has overcome a speech stutter he had throughout his youth, never thought he'd find himself in that position. Talking in front of people, something that once used to be a major fear, was now something he's spent four years conquering.
"It was a very surreal moment," the 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman said. "When I first came here, I was a little nervous talking in front of people. Now, I've worked to develop myself and be confident in front of cameras and stuff like that."
It was a moment that Clark was able to share with those who have been closest to him over the last four years. Performing under the bright lights for a top-five team in the country was tame compared to the speech. Surreal is the best way Clark could describe it.
"It's a different stage when you go up there and talk in front of people, your peers especially," Clark said. "That's where you get the most influence and feedback from, your peers."
In his time at Michigan State, he has developed into an influential member of the Spartan offensive line, considered by many to be one of the best in the entire nation. While he entered the 2015 season as the starting right guard, Clark's versatility on the line makes him a key component of its success.
He started his Spartan career as the back-up left tackle, earning two starts as a redshirt freshman in 2012 when Dan France was out due to injury. On the Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship team in 2013, he started four games at left tackle and was a regular in the eight-man playing rotation, also playing at guard. "(My versatility) helps me to better help the offensive line," he said. "It always helps to have a guy who can play any position just in case to help give guys a rest. Being able to know the different positions on the line, it's helped me grow as a football player."
 | "I've had a lot of memories, but I would say hanging out with the guys every day have been my favorite moments. A lot of these guys are my best friends that I've spent my whole time with at Michigan State." |
Clark's versatility has corresponded with an increase in playing time, as he went from starting six games total in his redshirt freshman and sophomore years to starting in all 13 games during the 2014 season. He has started three of the five positions on the offensive line during his career (right and left tackle; right guard).
As part of the MSU team that won the 2015 Cotton Bowl, Clark played 833 snaps, which was second most among Spartan offensive linemen. He also tallied 67.5 knockdowns â€" a career best â€" and 17.5 dominators, finishing only behind All-American Jack Allen.
Clark's stifling strength has helped the Michigan State offensive line give up only three sacks this season, providing quarterback Connor Cook and the Spartan offense exceptional protection.
A dominant senior season would be proof that he's improved in many facets of the game since coming to East Lansing.
"Overall, my game awareness has improved the most," said Clark, who was named to the Senior Bowl Watch List prior to the season. "I'm able to read defenses better, tell if guys are blitzing or not. I'm able to focus and lock-in more and slow the game down."
Playing with a number of guys on the offensive line for three or four years has made it a close knit group, Clark said. Along with fellow senior Jack Allen, Clark has also shared the trenches with Jack Conklin, Miguel Machado and Benny McGowan, among others.
"It's an honor to play with them," Clark said. "Playing together a long time has helped a lot because we're able to know each other's tendencies and help each other out. On the field, during games, we can tell each other, ‘I'm going to do this, so I need you to do that.'"
Clark said he is close with Jack Allen, as the two are both seniors and came to East Lansing together.
"I'm with him every day," he said. "It's always fun to play with Jack because I know he's going to give it his all, especially next to Brian (his brother). It's always good to have those guys next to you, knowing we're all going to give our best to get the job done."
Getting the job done has been a priority for Clark since he came to Michigan State. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was recruited by assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett, but the Spartans faced fierce competition for the Scout.com four-star lineman. He received offers from schools such as USC and Tennessee, as well as other Big Ten schools, but in the end chose MSU.
"It was the atmosphere," Clark said about why he chose MSU. "The coaches are great and they really care about their players, and the facilities are awesome and they're getting better year by year, as you can see. I just felt right."
At Michigan State, Clark is close to many family members, as his father, Phil, is from Flint. The three-year letterwinner said he's had many coaches who have been significant influences on him, but singled out his dad as always being there for him.
"He's taken me to all of these camps ever since I grew up," Clark said. "He's been there for me since day one. I appreciate that."
Clark played multiple sports growing up, starting out with soccer and eventually making football his No. 1 choice. In between, he hit the hardwood as a basketball player and threw shot put and discus. He credits track and field as a big reason why his athleticism shines on the gridiron.
"It helped me out a lot with my footwork," he said. "Especially with shot put and discus, there's a lot of footwork, a lot of technique, and I had to get the ball and disc out there."
On track to graduate in December with a degree in sociology, Clark said it's a weird feeling because it seems like just yesterday he was graduating from Finneytown High School in Cincinnati.
He'll leave Michigan State with a degree in hand, bowl victories to savor forever, and the chance to help lead the No. 4 Spartans to new heights, but when he leaves, he'll miss being around his football brothers.
"I've had a lot of memories, but I would say hanging out with the guys every day have been my favorite moments," he said. "A lot of these guys are my best friends that I've spent my whole time with at Michigan State."
