Kanye Clark is vying for playing time in Florida's secondary in his first season with the Gators. (Photo: Ethan Roy/UAA Communications)
No Guarantees, No Problem for Kanye Clark
Friday, August 14, 2026 | Football
Share:
By: Ryan Roddy, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — There are few stories in college football better than that of an accomplished walk-on.
Some may have to wait years to see the field. Some may never see the field at all.
For Florida defensive back Kanye Clark, the wait wasn't necessary.
A native of Sacramento, California, Clark saw action as a true freshman after walking on at UCLA in 2023.
Whether it was a lack of talent that kept Clark from being offered by the former Pac-12 school or a lack of exposure, utilization or size – it wasn't a lack of heart.
Coming out of high school, Clark was listed as a wide receiver and still pulled in "around 15 offers" from programs like Washington State and Army, but after hashing it out with family, he decided to take his shot on a bigger stage with no guarantees.
"We prayed about it overnight, and they told me, you know, whatever you want to do, we'll be there supporting you and be right there behind you," Clark said. "So, I woke up the next morning and decided I just wanted to walk on and show that I could play at a high level."
Kanye Clark, a UCLA transfer, reacts to a play during his time with the Bruins. (Photo: Los Angeles Daily News via Newspapers.com)
Clark appeared in five games in his first collegiate season as a backup cornerback and special teams contributor, paving the way for more opportunities ahead.
He earned a scholarship in 2024.
"We were in the team meeting room, and he [former Bruins coach DeShaun Foster] had shown one of my clips from that previous day,'' said Clark. "And he said, 'Come down here, and I'd like to offer you a scholarship.' "
He missed most of his first season on scholarship due to injury, but broke out in 2025 with the Bruins, playing corner, nickel and safety, totaling 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and two pass breakups across nine games.
Now entering his first season as a Gator, Clark maintains the same mindset that earned his scholarship at UCLA.
"I feel like I always have to prove myself being a walk-on. I always remember that," Clark said. "And coming from the West Coast to the SEC, I always feel like I have to prove myself."
It was another bold decision that led him to Gainesville; he trusted his instincts and joined UF's new era.
"This was my first visit and only visit I came on here to Florida,'' he said. "As soon as I got here, I knew I wanted to come here."
In the offseason, Clark has turned heads, especially in the weight room.
Clark, only 186 pounds, says he power-cleaned 315, dead-lifted 525, single-leg squatted 405, and bench-pressed 315.
"It was just another opportunity for me to show my work ethic and show what I can do in the weight room to transfer that one to the field," he said.
Along with receiver Vernell Brown III, Clark was also one of two to beat edge rusher Jayden Woods in the highly mentioned Gauntlet, the conditioning program installed by first-year head coach Jon Sumrall and Rusty Whitt, director of football performance.
Off the field, Clark is admittedly not the most emotional, not the most verbose and can even be perceived as unassuming; on the field, he has what Sumrall describes as a "little spark-plug mentality."
"He gives you a little juice, a little bit of an edge, a little bit of a chip on his shoulder," Sumrall said.
For Clark, the truth lies in power.
"Just always being seen as a smaller guy kind of fuels me on the field," Clark said. "I like to go hit people and show them that size doesn't matter."
Clark has always been hungry for an opportunity, and his versatility gives Florida options.
He is officially listed as STAR for Florida, a position that highlights those skills.
"I got a really good role in this defense," he said. "Coach put me in the correct positions to make plays and do the best I could do for this team."
The work seems to be paying off; Clark has been on Sumrall's radar.
"Look forward to watching him grow," Sumrall said. "He's having a good camp so far. Really a headsy football player that I'm excited to see what he can do. We've got to continue to develop the depth of that spot, but I like what he's doing."
He may have had a unique and challenging journey, but Clark isn't basking in personal glory over his spot with the Gators.
For him, success comes from what he can do for the team.
"So, something to me would be team success," he said of what a successful season would look like. "Obviously we want to win the SEC and go on to do bigger things. As long as I am able to help the team do that, then I would see that as successful."
