Chris Clark Officially Granted Release from UCLA

Submitted by The Victors on

This isn't necessarily surprising news after it was reported previously that Chris Clark spent a gameday weekend at home and was not practicing with the team, but now it is official.

Link (not paywalled): http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1590131-chris-clark-on-next-move-after-ucla-transfer

No details on what he is looking for in particular in a school, but there have been rumblings that he was homesick and wanted to be closer to home.

Anyone in the know care to share the transfer rule implications of this? I would assume that if because he played in even just 1 game this season that he would need to sit out the 2016 season (assuming he transfers to another FBS program), but that he could possibly get a waiver and play next season considering he only played in 1 game.

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Chris Clark

Shadowban

September 22nd, 2015 at 7:09 PM ^

True, but there are legitimate reasons why people (fans) may not want him to come. He kind of played Jaybaugh (although he made himself an easy target) by publicizing that weird note and showing him doing his school chores. He committed and de-committed from several schools. Then he flames out at UCLA almost immediately. A prospective employer would almost certainly pass on a hire with a comparable work history as this, and I think a wise coach would too.

Joined: 09/17/2015

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Lakeyale13

September 22nd, 2015 at 9:55 PM ^

Good word Shadowban. I agree, it is fair to judge him based upon his actions. Multiple decommittments and reports of him and Mora not seeing eye to eye are not the descriptors that I would choose for a football player on my team. That being said, I am sure the dude is a good kid at heart and I wish hm all the luck moving forward.

Joined: 11/16/2014

MGoPoints: 27092

Olaf

September 22nd, 2015 at 7:53 PM ^

I don't know the kid personally but he decommited from UNC and Michigan both, and now has left the UCLA program after already enrolling. I think this is enough evidence to question his commitment. In my opinion he will be suiting up for the Scarlet Knights over the next few years.

Joined: 09/22/2015

MGoPoints: 5120

JamieH

September 22nd, 2015 at 7:03 PM ^

Coaches can do whatever they want when granting releases.  So if Mora wants to be a dick, he can be a dick.  

 

Maybe he feels Clark is lying about wanting to go closer to home and really wants to come to UM or MSU. 

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 28331

turd ferguson

September 22nd, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^

Yes, but he can be exposed for being a dick.  If that's really happening, then Clark or Michigan should leak that story so that it gets attention.  Those restrictions tend to be forgotten when coaches get "Why are you such a dick?" questions from the media.

Joined: 12/09/2009

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Ronnie Kaye

September 23rd, 2015 at 12:14 AM ^

That is not true at all. Coaches are never free from repercussions in the court of public opinion. With the platform everyone has today, not granting a release to where a player wanted to go would make a coach look very, very bad. One tweet from the player and it's neg city against you in recruiting.

Joined: 05/09/2015

MGoPoints: 104

JamieH

September 23rd, 2015 at 12:31 AM ^

The rules say he gets to be a dick if he wants to be.

I wasn't talking about possible social media blowback.   Obviously Jim Mora isn't overly worried about that if he really did this.  Now, only time will tell if he's being stupid or not, but all I said is that he did it because he COULD do it, which is true. (assuming he actually did it)

Joined: 09/05/2009

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The Mad Hatter

September 22nd, 2015 at 10:34 PM ^

But I guess I don't understand much about transfer rules. He quit the team and I'm assuming dropped out of UCLA. Why should his former school/team have any say in where he continues his education or playing career? Coaches sure as hell aren't subject to similar rules. And neither are regular students for that matter.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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BroadneckBlue21

September 22nd, 2015 at 11:04 PM ^

Because students sign the NLI and that means they abide by the NCAA laws stated on that NLI. A coach signs a contract with a school, not with the NCAA. A coach is a professional who is paid to do his job, not an amateur--no matter what people want to debate. Legally, they may be in the same room but they are not the same type of movements. A coach is legally obligated to his or her contract unless he or she pays the buyout penalty. 

Besides, Clark quit the team, the team, the team. Not our team, but his team. 

Joined: 01/12/2015

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CoverZero

September 22nd, 2015 at 7:06 PM ^

Watched one interview with this kid as he bragged repeatedly about what a playmaker he was.  Very douchey.  Do not want.

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571

Avon Barksdale

September 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 PM ^

I'm saying he has the same frame as Gronk, a similar recruiting profile as Gronk, and talks like Gronk. I was simply stating that we should not reject a guy who can help us win games simply because, as the poster put it, "He's douchey." I'll take a pretty boy like Gronk over some of the guys we have any day of the week. The poster I replied to was basically stating we should be happy with AJ Williams because he doesn't talk. I'm making the point I don't give a fuck how he talks if he wins football games.

Joined: 04/27/2013

MGoPoints: 12859

Jim Harbaugh

September 23rd, 2015 at 8:25 AM ^

I was just being sarcastic. I completely agree he shouldnt reject a kid based on what little information we have other than "being flaky"... It's not like the kid was arrested or broke the law or something. Hes a kid and apparently made the wrong choice by going to UCLA.

Joined: 10/30/2014

MGoPoints: 6678

CoverZero

September 22nd, 2015 at 9:40 PM ^

Jake Butt is FAR more Gronkesque than this kid will ever be.  Jake also works his Butt off to be great.... and is drama free.

Clark is none of that...because he does not have the mental discipline or intellect.

 

 

Joined: 08/30/2014

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