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Syracuse defensive back Alijah Clark has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media Thursday. In three years with the Orange, Clark notched 181 total tackles and 10 pass deflections.

“Coming from Camden, NJ, this opportunity means the world to me and looking back on the journey which has brought me to this moment, I have many people to thank for their unwavering support,” Clark wrote.

Clark ranked as the No. 2 player from the state of New Jersey in 2021. He originally committed to Rutgers, playing sparingly in his freshman season while recording three tackles and an interception.

Clark then transferred to Syracuse for his sophomore year, serving in a bigger role. The 6-foot-2 safety started 12 games in 2022, playing 576 defensive snaps. He totaled 55 tackles while pairing with childhood friend Duce Chestnut.

After Chestnut left for LSU, Clark stayed with the Orange and became a focal point of Rocky Long’s defense. He ranked second among defensive backs in tackles with 65. In his senior year, now under fellow Camden natives Fran Brown and Elijah Robinson, Clark served as a mainstay of the defense. He appeared in 12 of 13 games, ranking third on the team in tackles (61.0) behind Justin Barron and Chestnut.

Clark began the season with a season-high eight solo tackles against Ohio. He then capped the year as the Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl, snagging an interception along with six tackles.

Clark is now the fourth Syracuse player to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. If selected, Clark would be the fourth SU defensive back in the last five years to be drafted.

Published on January 2, 2025 at 4:18 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky