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Giger's take

I'm a big fan of Clark's and can't understand why he doesn't get more credit, either for his accomplishments so far at PSU or with regard to NFL potential. His name definitely deserves to be mentioned in the Heisman race. I'm not saying he should win, but if the Lions go 11-1, he would deserve to finish in the top 5-7.

No one knows for sure who will be better in the NFL -- Clark or Devlin. As Tom Jackson said on ESPN the other day, JaMarcus Russell was the No. 1 overall pick, while Tom Brady went in the sixth round. We all know how that worked out.

Clark beat out Devlin and is 18-3 as a starter. No one can complain about the coaches' decision to go with Clark based on what he's done as the starter.

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Daryll vs. Devlin

A look at what each quarterback has done so far this season, Clark for Penn State, Devlin for I-AA Delaware.

Clark Category Devlin

8 Games 7

144 Comp. 128

232 Att. 196

62.1 Pct. 65.3

1884 Yds 1663

17 TDs 13

7 INTs 3

42 Carries 48

132 Yds. 138

4 TDs 4

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Daryll Clark is 18-3 as a starter at Penn State and is beginning to generate interest as a Heisman Trophy candidate, yet the guy he beat out for the quarterback job, Pat Devlin, is considered a better NFL prospect.

It all goes hand in hand with what Joe Paterno has spoken of several times recently.

"I don't think Clark's gotten anywhere near the kind of credit he should have after the season he had last year and the kind of season he's having this year," JoePa said Tuesday.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg agrees with Paterno, suggesting in an online video blog this week that Clark deserves to be in the Heisman conversation.

"The more that I look at the numbers, and the more that I look at a race that really no one seems to want to take charge of, I think Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark deserves some serious consideration," Rittenberg said.

His reasoning had a lot to do with Clark's success playing with a revamped offensive line and new receiving corps.

Despite his college achievements - Clark is PSU's career touchdowns leader and likely will break Kerry Collins' single-season yardage record this year - he isn't getting much respect as an NFL prospect.

Clark is rated primarily as a sixth- or seventh-round pick in mock drafts for 2010. Devlin, who transferred from PSU to I-AA Delaware, is widely considered a fourth-round pick in 2011, with some even predicting as high as second round.

"I sort of think that Penn State let the wrong quarterback go," scout.com draft analyst Chris Steuber said. "I think they should have kept Pat Devlin and maybe, I don't know, have made him the starter instead of Daryll Clark. I think Devlin's a better quarterback prospect at this point."

Clark was asked Wednesday why he thinks he is being projected so low in the draft and said, "I honestly don't know."

He does, however, think about the draft from time to time.

"I'd be a fool if I told you I wasn't thinking about it," he said.

Clark knows he still has time to enhance his stock if he plays well, or that he could hurt it by playing poorly.

Just why is his stock so low?

"His arm strength is fine," Steuber said. "I think it's more mechanics. I think it's sitting in the pocket, having the confidence to make all the throws."

Playing at Penn State also hurts, Steuber said.

"That offense doesn't really allow you to see everything you want to see out of a quarterback," he noted. "It doesn't really showcase all his skills."

Clark beat out Devlin during the 2008 preseason, and Devlin served as the backup before transferring prior to the Rose Bowl.

"[Devlin is] more of a poised quarterback, he's better in the pocket, he has good mobility," Steuber said. "Clark has good mobility, as well, but Devlin just gives you the presence you want out of a quarterback.

"Devlin, to me, just has better arm strength, he has better awareness in the pocket, delivers the ball on time. More of a complete quarterback at this time. I think when you look at Devlin, you see upside. I think when you see Clark, you see a project."

Steuber predicted Clark will have a chance to showcase his skills at the NFL Combine and noted he may get that chance at the Senior Bowl, as well.

Regardless of pro potential, there's no denying Clark is enjoying a solid career. There's also no denying Penn State's coaches are trying to get the word out about him.

"Daryll Clark is as good as any quarterback in the nation," Jay Paterno posted Wednesday on his Twitter account.

Clark appreciates that the coaches "have their players' backs" in calling for more praise, but he added notoriety or lack thereof doesn't affect his performance in any way.

"That's not what I play for," Clark said. "If [the national media] feel that I should be mentioned, they're going to do it. If not, they're not going to do it. But that doesn't take away the fact that we still have football games to play, football games to win in order to be in a big bowl game.

"I go out to practice every day to be better as a football team in order for us to win football games, and that's really the only reason why I play."

Cory Giger can be reached at 949-7031 and cgsports12@aol.com.