The growth of American football on these shores is translating to on-field production as Peter Clarke became the latest talent to set foot on the trail to college programmes - and maybe even the NFL.
On Wednesday at Tottenham Hotspur’s purpose-built NFL stadium, Clarke signed his deal and committed to join Temple University. The tight end is attending the Philadelphia-based college on a five-year course but he will be eligible for the NFL Draft after just three seasons.
Clarke found success and suitors as he impressed at the NFL Academy - the London-based operation complete with the best facilities and coaches to develop talent and best prepare them for the United States. While Covid threatened to derail his dream of being recruited and joining an American college, Clarke persevered and his patience was rewarded with a desired offer from Temple.
“My recruiting process started in my first year at the Academy, which was a Covid year so we didn’t have any games - it was just internal scrimmages,” Clarke exclusively told Mirror Sport. “I was pumping out practice and scrimmage tape by myself and managed to get my first offer, which started my recruiting journey.
“In my second year, we had more games so things were really good and I got a few more offers. Between my second and third year, we went to camp in America which is the place where you put your skills to the test with the coaches right there in the flesh. I performed really well and got a few offers - one of which was Temple.
“I already knew about Temple before I even had any offers. I was really interested in being in Philadelphia and at a city school because I’m an inner city kid. I thought it would be a good fit in terms of the culture; ‘Temple tough’. I like to think I come from a tough place and I’m a tough person, so I thought the culture was a fit and the coaching staff are brilliant. Those guys make people comfortable living up there, plus I’m going to get the opportunity to play.”
Clarke joined the NFL Academy after he first began playing flag and contact football with Croydon’s London Warriors, joining the team aged 11. The NFL Academy only opened in September 2019, but its ambitious mentality is already reaping rewards.
Graduates such as Seydou Traore and Darren Agu committed to Division 1 schools Arkansas State University and the University of Notre Dame respectively, while Clarke’s colleague - Kofi Taylor-Barrocks - committed to Deion Sanders’ University of Colorado Boulder. Clarke is determined to make the most of his opportunity, and he has been grinding for this opportunity ever since he sparked an interest in American football.
“I didn't really know anything about American football,” Clarke admitted. “I played some flag at my school, and then I joined the London Warriors. Their coaching staff really pushed me to be as good as I could be.
“I fell in love with the game and that led me to go to the London Games when they were here, which helped me understand the culture of the game a bit more. After the Academy was announced and I got in, the dream became real with the level of training and development allowing me to become a Division 1 player and receive offers. My dream really came alive with the NFL Academy.
“The Academy has prepared me in a great way, like they physically developed me into the body of a division one athlete in the weight room. They also prepared my mind in terms of football intelligence; we did film sessions, breaking it down with our coaches multiple times a week, so my understanding of the game - from a technical standpoint - is very good.”
The Brit listed Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews as an inspiration, as well as the ‘freak’ Rob Gronkowski. Both Andrews and Gronkowski became notorious for their incredible receiving and scoring ability, but Clarke prefers the blocking aspect of the position: “The feeling of scoring is always great but the feeling when you physically move someone into the ground against their will, that’s unmatched.”
He wears number 87 as a homage to World League of American Football star Gerry Anderson, who Clarke revealed has been a mentor to him during his development. His unique experience will be put to the test when he arrives in Philadelphia to play college football in 2023, but Clarke cannot wait. “There’s nothing like college football in this world so that first time I get to walk out at the Linc in cherry and white is going to be a special day.”
Clarke’s commitment on Wednesday ensured he is the next in line to cross the scarcely-trodden path to college football, but what of the NFL? “Of course, the NFL would be a dream,” Clarke said, with a slight smirk and a twinkle in his eye. “It’s my ultimate goal.”
NFL Academy is recruiting for the next intake of students until midnight on January 31, 2023. If you want a life changing opportunity, click here to find out more information on the NFL Academy and how to apply https://www.nflacademy.com/
