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When it finally came time for the Seahawks to make their first pick of the 2015 NFL Draft at No. 63 overall, they added 6-foot-3, 272-pound defensive end Frank Clark out of the University of Michigan.
It was the Seahawks latest initial draft pick in franchise history, coming one slot later than the team drafted running back Christine Michael with the No. 62 overall pick in 2013.
Clark appeared on a conference call with Seattle-area media shortly after the pick was made. Here's three things to know about your newest Seahawk:
1. He Had A Man-Crush On The Seahawks
Clark said he talked to several of the Seahawks coaches and scouts throughout the draft process, with an "attraction" between the two sides growing in the weeks leading up to this year's selection process.
With the 63rd pick the Seattle Seahawks choose Frank Clark from Michigan.
Sept. 29, 2013: Sherman was again a central figure in a fourth consecutive Seahawks win, this one coming against the Texans in Houston, where Sherman jumped a fourth-quarter route by tight end Owen Daniels to pick off a Matt Schaub pass and return it 58 yards - with just one shoe - for an overtime-forcing touchdown. Kicker Steven Hauschka booted a 45-yard field goal in the extra period to give Seattle a 23-20 win after the Seahawks started the game down 20-3. "It's a high-risk, high-reward play," said Sherman. "You have to jump in, and you might get beat over the top for a 20- or 30-yard gain if he gets the ball down there. But if you make the play, you might get a pick-6 and change the game for your team."
Sept. 15, 2013: Sherman's first pick of the 2013 season came against a familiar foe in Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers, as he intercepted a deep ball intended for tight end Vernon Davis, returned it 28 yards, and celebrated by dancing with the Sea Gals cheer squad. But more impressive than Sherman's pick - and dance - was his defense of Anquan Boldin. The San Francisco wideout had 13 catches for 208 yards in the Niners' season opener, but in Week 2 against Seattle with Sherman in coverage most of the day, Boldin was limited to one catch for seven yards. "I asked coach for the challenge," Sherman said. "I wanted to follow him." The Seahawks won the game, 29-3, and Sherman was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
Dec. 30, 2012: Sherman's eighth and final interception of 2012 helped the Seahawks secure their fifth straight win, as the Seattle cornerback stepped in front of a fourth-and-10 throw from Rams quarterback Sam Bradford to give the ball back to Seattle with a half-minute to play. The Seahawks ran out the clock to 20-13 victory.
Dec. 23, 2012: On the first play of the fourth quarter in an eventual 42-13 Seattle win over San Francisco, Sherman stepped in front of a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Randy Moss at the back of the end zone for his seventh interception of the year. The Seattle corner also recovered a Red Bryant-blocked field goal and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter.
Dec. 9, 2012: In a 58-0 rout of the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Sherman had the first multi-interception game of his career, one of which he returned for his first career touchdown. Quarterback John Skelton was once again the victim, as Sherman took a second-quarter pick back 19 yards for a score before adding another interception of Skelton just before halftime. To this point, four of Sherman's 10 career interceptions had come against Skelton.
Dec. 9, 2012: In a 58-0 rout of the visiting Arizona Cardinals, Sherman had the first multi-interception game of his career, one of which he returned for his first career touchdown. Quarterback John Skelton was once again the victim, as Sherman took a second-quarter pick back 19 yards for a score before adding another interception of Skelton just before halftime. To this point, four of Sherman's 10 career interceptions had come against Skelton.
Nov. 11, 2012: Sherman earned his first-ever NFC Defensive Player of the Week award in a 28-7 win over the New York Jets after having his way with quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sherman baited the former USC signal caller into a third-and-goal pass for tight end Dustin Keller and hauled in his fourth interception of the year in the process. Sherman also had his first career sack and forced a Sanchez fumble in the game's fourth quarter, helping Seattle set up its final touchdown of the day.Â
"My agent had always told me, 'I think the Seahawks have got a man-crush on you,'" Clark said. "And I was like, 'Man, I think I'm the one with a man-crush on the Seahawks.'"
Clark said Seattle has always been one of his favorite teams, name-dropping former Seahawks running back and 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander as one of his favorite players. Oh, and the fact that CenturyLink Field boasts one of the loudest fan bases in the League doesn't hurt, either.
"The environment, it just looks fun to play in," Clark said. "It's a dream come true."
With Clark's dream now a reality, it left him "overwhelmed with joy."
"It hasn't even sunk in yet," he said. "It all seems fake to me still. It's an honor, man. It's really an honor for a team of the caliber of the Seattle Seahawks just to have so much faith in a kid like me."
2. He Doesn't Care Where The Seahawks Play Him
The 6-foot-3, 272-pound Clark is projected to come to Seattle as an edge rusher, where he'd join a defensive line rotation that includes pass rushing defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, as well as linebacker Bruce Irvin. But Clark isn't concerned where he lands on the defensive side of the football. He's just looking for the opportunity to compete, hoping to take "as many notes as possible" from Seattle's veteran players.
"I don't care where they play me," said Clark. "Wherever they play me that's where I want to make an impact on the game."
Even though Clark said he had a lot of contact with Seahawks brass before Friday night, he admitted he had no idea he'd be taken in the second round. Just don't think the high-draft slot will go to Clark's head.Â
"I'm going to come in with the same mindset as a guy who's coming in as an undrafted guy, or as a free-agent looking for a job," Clark said. "I don't have a job. It's not solidified. I have to earn it. I haven't got down there to even see who my competition is.
"I'm coming in there fresh and I'm coming in there to compete every day and to battle."
3. He Loves Lucky Charms
On his pre-draft visit to Seattle, Clark marveled at the team's magnificent facility located on the shores of Lake Washington.
"It was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen in my life," said Clark, who split his childhood growing up in Los Angeles, Calif. and Cleveland, Ohio, where he was with his family when Seattle gave him his draft-day call. "Where I come from you don't see a facility sitting off the water. You don't see boats in people's backyards. I'm used to seeing shoes hanging from street lights and barber shops and liquor stores on every corner."
From the sounds of it, Clark even got a tour of the club's cafeteria on his visit to Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
"I had so many bowls of Lucky Charms you wouldn't believe it," he said. "They told me it was all you can eat Lucky Charms, until the nutritionist came around the corner like, 'Frank, if we get you here we're going to take those Lucky Charms away.' I'm trying to tell her like, 'I love Lucky Charms!'"
