Mark Jermain Clayton
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| Mark Jermain Clayton | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 2, 1982 (age 24) |
| Place of birth |  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver |
| College | Oklahoma |
| NFL Draft | 2005 / Round 1/ Pick 22 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2005-present | Baltimore Ravens |
Mark Clayton (born July 2, 1982 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma[1]) is an American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.
[edit] College career
After redshirting in Oklahoma's 2000 national championship season, Clayton's college career began in 2001, when he started 8 of Oklahoma's 13 games, and made 46 catches for 524 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Sooners won the Cotton Bowl. In 2002, he made only one start, but managed 26 receptions for 416 yards, including 5 touchdowns, which tied for the team lead among receivers. In that year, the Sooners won the Big 12 championship as well as the Rose Bowl, a first for any Big 12 team.
His profile exploded in 2003, as he garnered All-American and All-Big 12 honors after a junior season in which he took aim on the school record book. His 83 receptions, 1,425 yards, and 15 touchdowns all smashed previous marks (66, 1,034, and 7, respectively). The quarterback who threw the passes, Jason White, won the Heisman Trophy, and the Sooners advanced to the Sugar Bowl before losing to national champion LSU. Several of Clayton's "highlight reel" catches during this season demonstrated his ability to gain large amounts of yards after the catch (YAC).
Clayton's 2004 senior year again netted All-American and All-Big 12 recognition, though his 66 receptions, 876 yards, and 8 touchdowns were not quite as eye-popping as the previous season. The Sooners again won the Big 12 championship and played for the national title against USC, though they lost in the Orange Bowl.
[edit] Professional career
He was the 22nd overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
Clayton started his rookie season slowly due to various injuries but picked up speed during the latter part of the season and finished the year with 44 receptions for 471 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 8 rushes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
In his second year, his stats improved significantly as he finished the regular season with 67 receptions for 939 yards and 5 touchdowns.
[edit] External links
- Clayton89.com - Mark's Official Website
