Kanye Clark is latest defensive back to hit the transfer portal

The transfer portal continues to be very busy for the UCLA Bruins. Especially in the defensive backfield. As Kanye Clark is the latest one to enter amidst the new coaching staff coming in. UCLA has seen many of their defensive backs hit the portal in recent weeks. Signaling that a lot of major roster construction is coming. Bob Chesney will be tasked early with rebuilding this team through transfers of his own and recruits. With James Madison having a lot of players entering the portal as well, it will be interesting to see if they follow Chesney.

UCLA needs to upgrade a lot of positions; defensive backs will definitely be high on the list. Right up there with the offensive and defensive lines. Because protecting the quarterback on offense and getting pressure on the quarterback on defense are very important. That will also help with defensive backs not having to cover as long. That seemed to be an issue all year for the Bruins defense. Clark included who was on the back end. So a reasonable grade is hard to give in that situation.

Clark who was a freshman this past year but in his third year at UCLA. He redshirted one year and then suffered an injury in 2024. Clark played sparingly, finishing the season with 16 tackles, one forced fumble and two passes defended. There were no interceptions on the season for him, but the UCLA team only had five all season long turnovers were very hard to come by with lack of pressure on the quarterback. Clark will benefit from better front seven in front of him.

Clark will have three years of eligibility left. He should have no problem latching on at some P4 school. At 6’0 and 190 pounds he has decent size and can add more to his frame. It is very coveted that these teams look for multiple years of eligibility. Knowing they can have them for more than a year and work them into a system. Clark probably saw he would not fit in Chesney’s system and started the process early to get a jumpstart.