Bardstown QB Brady Clark chooses to stay in-state with PWO commitment to EKU
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (BVM) — Bardstown quarterback Brady Clark is having a tremendous fall. Not only has the senior signal-caller helped lead his Tigers to a flawless 12-0 record so far this season, but he also made his collegiate decision to play at the Division I level. On Nov. 3, Clark announced his commitment as a preferred walk-on to Eastern Kentucky University, keeping one of the best arms in Kentucky in the state.
“I’m excited, I’m really excited to get started in the spring and I’m excited for the next chapter of my life to get to play college football,” Clark said. “I’m enjoying high school while it lasts and we’re still chasing what I’ve been chasing for five years.”
Excited to announce my commitment to play football at Eastern Kentucky University as a PWO! Thankful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get to work in January! @EKUWWells @g_mcpeek @Trent_Steelman @ThomasBowling46 #E2W #MatterOfPride pic.twitter.com/OeeFo4XMiO
— Brady Clark (@BClark_10_2021) November 3, 2021
This season, Clark has taken a big step forward in his production as he has thrown for 2,544 yards and 36 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He has also been efficient with his throws as he has completed 143-of-206 passes for a completion rate of 69%. Though not as explosive on the ground as through the air, Clark has shown an ability to scramble with the ball, adding 427 yards on 54 carries and six rushing touchdowns.
Compared to his prior season, Clark’s stats are up across the board. Clark threw for 1,396 yards, 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions in three less games during the 2020-21 season. He also rushed for only 219 yards on 41 carries with one touchdown on the ground. For comparison’s sake, his average passing yards per game last season was 155.1 and this year that number has climbed to 212.0 yards, a difference of nearly 57 yards.
“It’s awesome and I can’t do it without everyone else around me, the O-line, the running backs and everything else,” Clark said. “It really opened up things for me and our receivers are making plays and I’m doing the easy part, they’re doing all the work and I’m just giving them the ball.”
Some of this improvement is no doubt thanks to another year of experience for the quarterback. Clark is one of the athletes that benefited from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s decision to allow students a fifth year of eligibility as the signal-caller accepted the extra year and returned to Bardstown this fall as a member of the Class of 2022.
“I took my fifth year because I sort of thought to myself I wanted to shoot big,” Clark said. “My thought process was I have another chance to chase my dreams of playing Division I football and I figured if I got older I might regret that decision and I didn’t want to ever regret the decision of not going back and giving it a try. It paid off for me and now I’m going to Eastern Kentucky.”
Upon careful consideration and advice from my coaches and family, and Bardstown BOE approval of Senate Bill 128 (many thanks!), I have decided to reclassify into the Class of 2022 at Bardstown High School!@khsaafootball @BardstownFootb1 pic.twitter.com/9yHcvmdere
— Brady Clark (@BClark_10_2021) May 18, 2021
This allowed Clark to not only grow on the field as a player, but will also allow him to be able to graduate early and join the Colonels team in January.
“I get a headstart on everything,” Clark said. “I get to get a feel for what the school will be like, I get to get a feel of the offense, I get to play spring ball, I get to work out. I’m going to get a start on the freshmen that will come in the fall and I think that will help me a lot.”
Currently, the Colonels are one of the strongest teams in the FCS, earning votes in the recent coaches poll with a 6-4 record. Joining a team seemingly on the rise, Clark will come in with an opportunity to earn his spot on the roster.
“I like Eastern, I visited and I went there and I ended up taking a preferred walk-on over maybe a scholarship at a smaller school,” Clark said. “They make me feel really wanted and make me feel like I’m going to have a chance there and I’m excited about it. I really feel like that’s the place I want to be if I play or if I don’t play.”
Having plenty of experience under his belt and coming off of the best season of his career, Clark will be at his best when he arrives on EKU. Before he does that though, Clark will be looking to lead his unbeaten Tigers team to some hardware in the competitive KHSAA Class 3A playoffs as his team continues its journey to the state championship with its quarterfinal round game against Glasgow on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. EST.
“I’m really excited to see what we can do over these next three weeks,” Clark said. “ We all just came together and we want to win and I think we’re willing to do whatever it takes to win. I think that whenever you have that on a team it’s really special and that’s what I’m looking forward to most. … Regardless of what happens, I think this is one of the most special teams I’ve been a part of and I’m happy to contribute.”
