Lineman Clark injured in car accident

Guard recovering from surgery, expected to be out 3-4 months

Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jakai Clark was injured in a car accident after the team’s spring game on April 17, the South Florida Sun Sentinel confirmed via multiple sources on Saturday.

Clark has since had surgery, according to one source, and his recovery could put his status in doubt for the start of UM’s season on Sept. 4 against Alabama in Atlanta.

Clark’s injury was first reported by the The Miami Herald on Saturday afternoon.

The report said surgery was on the AC joint in his right shoulder and that Clark is expected to be out for three to four months.

The third-year guard from Loganville, Georgia and Grayson High started 21 games over his first two college seasons. He was competing at left guard this spring with second-year lineman Jalen Rivers.

Clark, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound blocker, was the team’s starting left guard in the April 17 spring game after a 15-practice spring slate in which he largely split first-team reps with Rivers.

Rivers, 6-5 and 325 pounds out of Oakleaf High just outside of Jacksonville, impressed coaches in the spring and could now be thrust into the starting role when the Hurricanes pick practice back up for training camp in August after summer workouts.

Miami also likes Clark’s ability at center, where he could serve as fifth-year lineman Corey Gaynor’s primary backup or the Hurricanes’ center of the future once Gaynor moves on.

UM has a multitude of players recovering from injuries this summer. Fifteen were noted by coach Manny Diaz’s as being out for the spring game. At the scrimmage, right tackle Jarrid Williams was not seen. Then, cornerback DJ Ivey, wide receiver Michael Redding III and defensive end Cameron Williams made early exits, adding to that number.

The original 15 Diaz said were out: Quarterback D’Eriq King, safety Bubba Bolden, running back Donald Chaney Jr., tight end Will Mallory, defensive tackle Nesta Silvera, cornerbacks Te’Cory Couch, Al Blades Jr. and Marcus Clarke, linebacker Sam Brooks, safety Brian Balom, receiver Jeremiah Payton, tight ends Elijah Arroyo and Dominic Mammarelli and linemen Cleveland Reed and Michael McLaughlin. Tight end Larry Hodges also missed the spring from what the team deemed “violation of team rules. The Sun Sentinel later learned Hodges was arrested in March for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana, but this past week, prosecutors did not pursue charges.

Clark