Better late than never: Newest addition to Boise State’s 2020 class is ‘very deserving’
The Boise State football team hasn’t closed the book on its 2020 recruiting class.
Jaylen Clark, a defensive back from Tacoma, Washington, announced his commitment to the Broncos on Tuesday via Twitter. Clark is the seventh known defensive back in the 2020 class and the second from Lincoln High.
“He’s really long and he can just cover a lot of ground,” Lincoln High coach Masaki Matsumoto told the Idaho Statesman by phone. “I wouldn’t say he’s a burner, but he can run.”
Donovan Clark, who is not related to Jaylen Clark, committed to Boise State last August out of Lincoln High. Both players are listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
“We put him on the best guys — him and Donovan. We kind of had that luxury, but towards the end of the season, Donovan was hurt a little bit,” Matsumoto said. “I know he’s not gonna play offense, but he was our best receiver as well, just throwing up a lot of jump balls to him, and he caught a lot of touchdown passes for us.
“He’s a super competitive, great kid.”
Jaylen Clark is listed as a three-star athlete by 247Sports.com, which also ranks him as the No. 83 athlete in the class of 2020 and No. 12 in Washington. He played receiver and cornerback for Lincoln, racking up 52 receptions for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns. At corner, he made a combined 19 tackles with four interceptions and nine passes defended. He also served as a kick returner.
Clark had offers from Arizona, Colorado and Montana, according to 247Sports.com.
“A lot of coaches said they love him, but then never pulled the trigger,” Matsumoto said. “He was always banking on Boise State. His plan was to either walk on to (Washington State) or Boise State, but luckily (Boise State) came in late (with an offer).”
Matsumoto said that Clark greatly improved in the classroom during his two years at Lincoln, raising his GPA by 0.6. “That’s hard to do,” Matsumoto said.
Jaylen and Donovan are good friends, Matsumoto said, and he looks forward to seeing the pair continue their football careers at the same university.
“They got a good one. It’s super late, especially for FBS, but he’s very deserving,” Matsumoto said. “I think Boise is gonna be a perfect place. I met the head coach, and it sounds like he preaches a lot of the stuff that we do in terms of character and culture. I think Jaylen is going to a great place and, him going with Donovan, they’re gonna help each other and push each other. They’re gonna flourish.”
2020 recruiting class
DB Isaiah Bradford, 6-0, 170, Redlands (Calif.) East Valley High
OT Brandon Hernandez, 6-6, 275, Yucaipa (Calif.) High
TE Russell Corrigan, 6-4, 230, Hutchinson (Minn.) High
CB Donovan Clark, 6-3, 190, Lincoln High (Tacoma, Wash.)
CB Kaonohi Kaniho, 6-0, 180, Kahuku (Hawaii) High
OG Nathan Cardona, 6-3, 280, Yorba Linda (Calif.) High
DE Robert Cooper, 6-5, 255, Bethel High (Spanaway, Wash.)
WR Latrell Caples, 6-0, 185, Lancaster (Texas) High
OT Riden Leong, 6-5, 320, Orange Coast College (Waimanalo, Hawaii)
S Semaj Verner, 6-2, 185, Mayfair High (Lakewood, California)
DT Herbert Gums, 6-1, 284, Diboll (Texas) High
DE Shane Irwin, 6-4, 252, Long Beach City College (Palos Verdes Peninsula, California)
DT Divine Obichere, 6-4, 295, Long Beach City College (Long Beach, California)
DB Rodney Robinson, 5-10, 165, Cajon High (San Bernardino, California)
TE Austin Bolt, 6-4, 205, Borah High (Boise)
QB Cade Fennegan, 6-2, 175, Woodrow Wilson High (Dallas)
LB Brock Miller, 6-3, 238, N.C. State (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
OL Kyle Juergens, 6-6, 260, St. Margaret’s Episcopal (San Juan Capistrano, California)
CB Jonathan Earl, 6-3, 190, Golden West College (Concord, North Carolina)
ATH Cole Wright, 6-0, 175, Carlsbad (California)
K Jonny Messina, 5-8, 166, Stetson University (Orlando, Florida)
TE Mason Sikes, 6-4, 240, Lamar University (Lumberton, Texas)
OL Ozuma Osuji, 6-6, 292, Rice University (Coppell, Texas)
DB Jaylen Clark, 6-3, 190, Lincoln High (Tacoma, Wash.)
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 9:47 PM.
