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Damone Clark named among Butkus Award semifinalists

There are very few real positives to write home about when it comes to the LSU Tigers football team. They have underperformed and underwhelmed this year after one of the worst title defenses in recent memory.

Kayshon Boutte’s hot start was one before his season-ending injury put a real damper on the offensive side of the ball. For the defense, the top story has been the performance of linebacker Damone Clark. His performance has kept Clemson transfer Mike Jones Jr and Bugg Strong off the field. Strong recently announced his transfer and we don’t know what the future holds for Jones.

Meanwhile, Baton Rouge native Damone Clark has stolen the show on a defense that was expected to be led by Eli Ricks, Derek Stingley, Andre Anthony, and Ali Gaye. All four have missed time this year and all are done for the season. Clark ranks second in solo tackles in the country and No. 1 in total tackles with 100.

Clark tallied 20 tackles against Ole Miss in their last game before the open week. Clark was named among the Butkus Award semifinalist on Monday. Since the award was announced in 1985, only one LSU Tiger has taken home the prize. In 2018 Devin White took home the award. That year he tallied 123 tackles, 12 TFLs, with three sacks and three forced fumbles.

Clark has 100 tackles in eight games with 6.5 TFLs, one sack, one interception, and two forced fumbles. What can he do in the final four games plus a potential bowl game? Regardless, Clark has proven to be a force on a defense lacking playmakers due to those injuries.