Four-star WR Malik Clark picks Florida State over USC Gamecocks, UNC Tar Heels, others

Malik Clark is going to Florida State.

The four-star Rock Hill High School wide receiver announced his decision Wednesday afternoon at a signing day event in front of family, friends, coaches, media and Bearcat faithful.

Clark said there were two major deciding factors in his commitment to the Seminoles:

One was the chance for Clark to play early during his freshman season, which Florida State head coach Mike Norvell assured was a possibility.

The other was Florida State’s proximity to competing for a national title.

Last season, the Seminoles finished the regular season 13-0 before a controversial decision kept them out of the four-team College Football Playoff.

It’s something that played in Clark’s mind as he made his decision. With the CFP expanding to 12 teams starting this season, Clark is more than confident that the Seminoles will be in prime position to compete for a title this season.

“You got to get getback for that,” Clark said. “With it being a 12-team playoff, I feel like (getting to the playoffs) won’t be a problem for Florida State. They’re usually always in the top-10. They’re getting back to where they used to be where they were always in the top-five. I feel like it’s the best spot to compete for a national championship.”

Clark has always had the determination to play at an elite level.

Former Buffalo Bills and Rock Hill defensive back Jonathan Meeks is a close friend of Clark’s older brother, Breon Love, and was “through the roof” at Clark’s signing day Wednesday.

Meeks watched Clark grow and develop as an athlete and said that Clark’s “consistency, commitment, and dedication” is what put him in this position.

“I was happy for him when he started playing varsity football, just playing football,” Meeks said. “To see that he’s going to Florida State, a team that I’m familiar with ... just to envision him being a college football player and going to the NFL, something he was proud of me for, oh man, I am excited.”

Clark still has his senior season to play at Rock Hill before he enrolls at Florida State in the winter.

As a junior for the Bearcats, Clark led the team with 35 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns.

First-year head coach Randy Birch has already seen what sets Clark apart from the field since joining the team in March. Birch is excited to see what the ACC-bound wide receiver has in store for his final high school season.

“I’m most excited just to see the leadership role that he’s going to take on this year,” Birch said. “I’ve already seen him display it, so I’m excited about that. I’m excited to see him score a lot of touchdowns for the Bearcats, and we’re going to use him in a lot of different ways. Hopefully, it’s going to lead to a lot of wins for us.”

Another player from the Rock Hill-area who recently committed to Florida State is former Indian Land linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins, whom Clark ran into during his official visit to Tallahassee in June.

Clark said that he’s established a relationship with the now-Seminoles freshman linebacker and is excited to get to know everyone on the team.

Rock Hill opens its regular season on August 23 at River Bluff.