Hokie ClubBALTIMORE – The Baltimore Ravens announced on Monday that they have agreed to a three-year contract extension with S Chuck Clark. The Virginia Tech product was about to enter the final season of his rookie deal and is now under contract through 2023. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the deal for Clark includes approximately $10 million in guarantees with the total value of the extension reportedly worth $16 million.
"We're all very proud of Chuck and congratulate him on this well-deserved contract extension," Tech head coach Justin Fuente said. "Chuck embodies our Virginia Tech work ethic and serves as a great example for our current players. His persistence, preparation and willingness to do whatever it takes to win are all qualities that are very evident and admirable. He took advantage of his opportunity last season, and everyone associated with our program wishes him continued success with the Ravens. Well done, Chuck!"
Done deal for @ChuckC36. 🖋 pic.twitter.com/21tU2Fjgwq
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 10, 2020
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta and defensive backs coach Chris Hewitt echoed similar sentiment in an official team release.
"Chuck's a good football player, a fine teammate and a respected leader," DeCosta said. "He's the type of player we want on our defense for a long time. Congrats to Chuck and his family."
"Chuck is extremely smart," Hewitt added. "He can line everybody up, he can manage the defense, and on top of that, he's a great athlete. He has every attribute to become a great player in this league."
Selected by Baltimore as a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Clark moved into the starting lineup for the Ravens in Week Six of the 2019 season and didn't look back. He led Baltimore with 73 total tackles and allowed an opposing passer rating of 75.1 when dropping in coverage, logging one INT, nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Clark served as the signal-caller for a Baltimore defense that ranked second in the NFL in total defense (300.0 ypg) and eighth in scoring defense (28.0 ppg) in 2019.
In 52 career games for the Hokies, Clark amassed 173 tackles, two INTs, 2.5 sacks, 21 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He arguably made the most pivotal play of his Tech career by picking off a QB Matt Johns pass with 1:07 remaining at Virginia to seal a 23-20 Tech win, ensuring the school's bowl streak would remain intact. He prepped at King's Fork High School in Suffolk, Virginia before enrolling at Virginia Tech.