PREP FOOTBALL Irish's Clark weighs decision

Area standouts face the challenge of choosing a college that fits best.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Ursuline quarterback Daryll Clark hasn't picked a college yet, but he's getting closer.
"I have an idea where I'm going, but I'm not going to reveal that right now," he said.
Still, he's starting to hint. When asked what his top four choices are right now, he listed Penn State, Nebraska, Toledo and West Virginia.
"In that order," he said.
Clark, a 6-foot, 4-inch senior who has started for the past three years, took his first official visit -- to Penn State -- a few weeks ago and came away impressed.
Scouting the school
"It was a great experience," Clark said. "I learned a lot about Penn State and I've known [assistant coach] Jay Paterno for awhile, since he does the recruiting in this area."
And, of course, he also got to talk to Joe Paterno.
"It was a great experience to sit down and talk to the man in charge," Clark said. "He talked to me about where he was at as far as retiring, and as far as I know, he's not going anywhere.
"They're very high on my list."
Clark had planned to visit Nebraska this month, but postponed the trip until mid-January after the Cornhuskers fired head coach Frank Solich.
"That kind of affects my decision," Clark said. "Obviously, they have a lot to deal with and they're going through a great deal of turmoil down there. When that happened, I backed up my visit a little bit."
Bo Pelini, a Mooney High graduate who was Nebraska's defensive coordinator this season, has been mentioned as one of the favorites to replace Solich.
If Clark chooses Toledo, he would be joining former Irish teammate Terrence Graves, who was a freshman for the Rockets last season.
The Rockets have already snagged verbal commitments from two Warren Harding players this fall: running back Richard Davis and defensive end Anthony Hoke.
"As far as comfort-wise, if I decided to go to Toledo, I think I'd be fine," Clark said. "I'm very good friends with Terrence and I'm pretty good friends with both Richard and Anthony. I think I'd fit in pretty well."
Harding quarterback Alex Engram is also considering Toledo, along with Texas Christian. Engram, who transferred to Harding from Texas last summer, graduated early and will need to decide in the next few weeks so he can enroll early.
"I still haven't found what I'm looking for," Engram said.
Clark isn't sure when he'll decide, and the constant questions are starting to get a little annoying.
"Yeah, but I try not to let it bother me," he said. "I just try to answer as many questions as I can and tell the truth. It's not a big deal."
Clark's teammate, senior lineman Branndon Braxton, has received offers from several schools across the country, including Ohio State.
Braxton is flying out to visit Oklahoma on an official visit today, Clark said.
"I think this is his first official visit," Clark said. "I ask him where he's going all the time, but he's always like, 'I don't know, I don't know.'
"I'm pretty sure it's still up in the air."