Texas Tech University Athletics
Leaving a Legacy: Le'Raven Clark
October 10, 2015 | Football
Texas Tech senior Le'Raven Clark has been a staple on the offensive line during his career as he has started in all 43 games of his career entering Saturday's Homecoming game against Iowa State.
Oct. 10, 2015
By Matt Dowdy
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
Over the past four seasons, the Texas Tech offense has had several constants.
Quarterbacks have of course put up big numbers. Receivers have caught plenty of touchdowns. And running backs have been a dual threat on the ground and in the passing game.
One factor not reflected on a stat sheet, though: the presence of senior Le'Raven Clark, a mainstay on the offensive line the past four seasons who has started all 43 games of his career.
"Le'Raven is a kid who has really led by example since my staff and I arrived," Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "You look around the team room and there probably aren't many guys who command more respect than he does. He's reliable and someone we can count on day-in and day-out and that says a lot about the type of person and teammate he is."
Clark, a native of Rockdale, Texas, began his career as Texas Tech's starter at right guard his redshirt freshman season in 2012. He later moved to left tackle the following spring, a position where he continues to shine as the Red Raiders have allowed just one sack this season entering today's Homecoming game against Iowa State.
Clark is highly respected by not only Kingsbury and his staff but also by his teammates as he is one of five team captains for the 2015 season.
"The thing about Le'Raven is that it starts with his character," offensive line coach Lee Hays said. "The kid has never been late. You don't have to worry about him going to class. You don't have to worry about off-the-field issues. His teammates voting him a captain says a lot about his character. As far as his position goes, he's as solid of a kid as I've ever coached."
Clark has been a preseason candidate for the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) and the Lombardi Award (top offensive or defensive lineman) in each of the past three seasons as well as a two-time All-Big 12 selection.
If someone were to ask Clark about the accolades, though, he'd likely flash a friendly grin, shake his head and say "come on now, we don't need to talk about that." He's more interested in how his teammates are doing and making others better.
In fact, Clark is often among the last Red Raiders to leave the practice field each Monday and Tuesday -- not for any reason other than helping the future of the program.
Clark often works through extra drills and reviews schemes following practice with a talented freshmen class that will likely be called upon next year following the graduation of Clark and fellow offensive linemen Jared Kaster and Alfredo Morales.
"It's just about trying to change the culture," Clark said of his post-practice sessions. "Those guys are the next ones up after we're gone, so it's on us to help them continue the legacy."
At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 308 pounds, Clark fits the mold of an All-American caliber offensive lineman, one that many schools would welcome to their program without seeing much or any game film.
Clark is also unique in the premise that he's naturally quiet-natured. He likely won't be the person in the middle of a pregame huddle firing up his teammates. He leads more by example, Tech senior running back DeAndre Washington said.
"I like to call him my quiet assassin," said Washington, who, behind Clark's blocking, is once again on pace to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark for a second-straight season. "He doesn't like to say a whole lot, but when he does, people listen. Being able to play alongside him the past five years and watching him grow and become the player he is today has been a sight to see."
Football may be what Clark is known best for but it's not his only talent.
Those who know him best know his passion and hobbies are more in the outdoors as he is an avid fisher and hunter as well as a blooming craftsman who has begun his own wood-working projects.
Poised with a week off with little to no responsibility, Clark would likely be found at the nearest lake or hunting whatever is in season. Those moments are what he describes as his "quiet places" away from the day-to-day grind of a student-athlete.
"They were my getaway was when I was a kid," Clark said of the outdoors. "It is what I did when I needed to get my mind off things. It was time I could spend to myself and be out there doing something I enjoy doing."
In the years to come, Clark may not have as much free time throughout the week to find that quiet place.
He hopes to be among the top offensive linemen prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft where he could potentially join a successful group of former Red Raider offensive linemen like Manuel Ramirez, LaAdrian Waddle and Louis Vasquez who have all found success at the next level.
But first, he hopes to wrap up the "legacy" he's been building the past four seasons, one that has been consistently defined by his strong character, reliable nature and most importantly, the joy and friendly attitude he displays on a daily basis.
"It's been great," a smiling Clark said of his tenure at Texas Tech. "I love Texas Tech and the culture around here. I know Coach Kingsbury is going to do some big things."
