Marist’s Charlie Clark is Georgia Tech’s 15th commitment

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take the field at the start of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday, November 19, 2016. SPECIAL/Daniel Varnado

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take the field at the start of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday, November 19, 2016. SPECIAL/Daniel Varnado

Marist School offensive lineman Charlie Clark committed to Tulane last May, but kept hearing from Georgia Tech after his decision. Yellow Jackets coaches were interested, but wanted to see how his senior season progressed. They finally came through with a scholarship offer on Sunday morning, and Clark accepted later the same day.

“I think it was just overall the best opportunity, with staying home and just playing for the hometown team along with the education,” Clark said. “It really was just a best-case scenario.”

Clark, a two-star prospect (247 Sports), was a two-year starter for Marist and was named all-state for Class AAAA. Besides Tulane, he received offers from Georgia Southern, Army and Navy, among others. He said that Tech coaches have told him that they see him as an offensive tackle, his position at Marist.

“Once they offered me, it really didn’t take long to come to that decision,” he said.

Clark, 6-foot-4 and 286 pounds, was recruited by A-backs coach Lamar Owens. He will take his official visit to Tech Jan. 20. Tech’s class now stands at 15 players. Clark is the fourth offensive lineman in the class, following Michael Minihan, Zach Quinney and Connor Hansen.

Tech’s roster has two walk-ons from Marist, quarterback Chase Martenson and offensive lineman Chet Lagod.

Clark is like a number of Tech players from in-state. He grew up a Georgia fan. In fact, Clark’s grandfather Don Shea played for the Bulldogs in the 50’s and was an alternate captain.

“I’ve grown up a pretty big Georgia fan, but he and my mom and everyone are excited for Tech and all that,” he said.