Clark ready for his chance

By Liz Keller

Published: August 13, 2008

Aaron Clark has been waiting three years for his chance to shine at Virginia.

Now, entering his senior year with the Cavaliers, he hopes to get that 2,000-watt opportunity.

Clark, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker, has paid his dues, logging action in all 13 games last season on special teams. Despite not earning a role in a starter’s position, the former Rockbridge County standout has remained patient and dedicated.

“Right now, I’m out there practicing, competing, trying to get better and trying to get in the game. We’ve got a healthy competition right now in my spot — me and Denzel Burrell,” Clark said. “We’re really pushing each other out there. It’s fun out there, every day you know you’ve got somebody gunning for the same spot you are, so it makes you play better every day.”

According to coach Al Groh, Clark and Burrell will both see action depending on the scheme employed.

Clark, who finished with a career-high four tackles against Miami last season, hopes to join the starting group of Clint Sintim, Antonio Appleby and Jon Copper — all returning starters for the Cavaliers.

And his hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“He has done well,” said Copper, who has led UVa in tackles the past two years. “I know in his freshman year that he got to play right off the bat. He has been in games and it just happened that over the last couple of years that he hasn’t had as much playing time. He stuck with it and knows the defense very well and I think he will do just fine.”

Clark saw playing time as a true freshman at outside linebacker and on goal-line defense and special teams. He played in nine games, finishing with 10 tackles. In 2006, he appeared in eight games, mostly on special teams.

“Special teams really gives you a feel for the speed of the game and getting out there, getting hit, hitting people and making plays,” said Clark, a foreign affairs major. “I think that’s a rite of passage that everyone enjoys.”

In the Cavaliers’ 3-4 defensive scheme, the linebackers take on a multitude of responsibilities. And Clark said the group is up to the task.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in the linebacking corps,” Clark explained. “But it’s still our duty every day in practice and in games to go out and prove ourselves. A lot of people are really doubting us right now, so that’s a motivator. We have to go out there and really show that we are the real deal.

“We’ve got a whole new team than last year — different chemistry, different everything. So we’ve got to go out there every day and put it together.”

The Cavs are attempting to take the schedule one game at a time, but not a single person on the Grounds is going to overlook the season-opener against Southern Cal on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. The Trojans were 11-2 last season and routed Illinois in the Rose Bowl, 49-17.

“It’s going to be big,” Clark said. “I think the atmosphere’s going to be incredible. We’re excited, but right now we’re focused on putting ourselves together. We’ve got to build a Virginia team before we can worry about other teams we play right now.

“Of course, everybody’s goal is to get out there and be more influential in the offense or defense, but whatever my role is, I’m excited about it. Whatever I can do to help the team.”

Clark and Virginia are still a work in progress, but the opener will provide the first report card.