Michigan senior defensive end Frank Clark, considered a potential third-day pick because of his athleticism and upside as a pass rusher, was dismissed from the team Monday morning after being arrested early Sunday in Ohio on a domestic violence charge.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke announced the dismissal in a statement, which called it "a tragic situation" and noting that "student-athletes will be held accountable when their actions fail to meet the standards we have at Michigan."
Clark (6-foot-2, 277 pounds), in his second season as a fulltime starter, was tied for third on the team with 42 tackles; he also had 4.5 sacks and leads the team with 13.5 tackles for loss.
Clark is a Cleveland native and was arrested in Erie County, Ohio, which is west of Cleveland. Michigan did not play this weekend.
Clark was charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly attacking his girlfriend in their hotel room in Perkins Township, Ohio. The Sandusky (Ohio) Register, quoting a police report, reported that the alleged victim said Clark punched her in the face and that she bit him in the nose in an attempt to get him off of her on Saturday night.
The Detroit Free-Press reported that Clark was arrested over his girlfriend's objections.
Clark was suspended in 2012 for stealing a laptop from a campus dorm room.
Clark played numerous positions at prep power Cleveland Glenville and was recruited by most schools at either wide receiver or linebacker. He was 6-2 and 210 pounds when he signed in February 2011 with the Wolverines, who wanted him at linebacker. Clark is one of the fastest ends in the nation and has been clocked at 4.58 seconds in the 40.
As productive as he has been on the field this season, this situation -- depending on how it plays out -- obviously could have a big effect on his draft status.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
