Five Questions With ... Gators DL Khairi Clark
Saturday, August 6, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The redshirt sophomore from Hollywood is vying for more playing time.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Khairi Clark has never been a prolific runner, not at 6-foot-2 and well over 300 pounds.
But this summer, sometimes after workouts with his teammates and other times when he had time to burn, Clark would slip on his running shoes and work up a sweat.
A redshirt sophomore defensive tackle from Hollywood, Fla., Clark played in every game a season ago and shined against Florida Atlantic with a career-high seven tackles and a sack.
Still, Clark knew he had only scratched the surface.
"I felt I was on the heavy side,'' he said. "I managed through it but this year will be more of a breakout year for me. I changed my diet and did a lot more running in my off-time. I drank more water, tried to get more sleep. The biggest weight I've been here is around 328, and right now I'm at 311. So I've dropped down."
Clark's weight loss, plus more knowledge of the game and the tools needed for his position, have him optimistic that 2016 is the season he can make a difference consistently on a defensive line that is talented and deep.
That is why he went on those runs.
"I felt like I cut a lot of body fat,'' he said. "That was the main factor for me to focus on, cutting body fat and getting more muscle to get ready for this season and be more powerful and quicker and stronger on the inside."
Here is our Q&A with Clark, who signed with the Gators in 2014 out of Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in South Florida:
Q: What is your outlook heading into the season?
A: It's all really humbling because last year was really my first year playing and getting a feel for the [college] game and being on the field. It's more humbling for me this year because they are looking for me to actually step up now more as a leader and as an impact guy. I feel like I'm going to be able to handle it.
Q: When you are playing at your best, what does that mean?
A: For me it means just being able to get the job done. My coaches are counting on me to go in there and execute my assignments and be the powerful nose tackle I can be and be able to hold my gap and be in the backfield and make plays.
Q: What is something about you that fans may not know?
A: They probably don't know that I'm willing to work very hard. A lot of people look at me and see how big I am and they probably don't expect my work ethic. I grind for what I do and it's going to show.
Q: Where does that drive come from?
A: I get a lot of my grind from my mom [Uwezo]. Growing up she was a single parent and she was very hard-working for me always. That motivated me to be just as good or maybe better than her at working hard.
Q: What did she do as you grew up and what's your relationship like now?
A: She was a police dispatcher. She was always working hard to provide for me. As a young kid, I used to love to eat and get stuff from her. I'm an only child as well. Me and my mom have a huge connection. She was always the person I looked to growing up for guidance and protection and motivation. She was able to be mom and dad for me growing up. It's very humbling and a great experience now because I have this opportunity now to make her proud and dominate here at Florida and hopefully be able to go to the next level and make her more proud.
