2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Kimal Clark, DB, Indiana State University

• Name: Kimal Clark
• Position: DB
• College: Indiana State University
• Height: 5′ 9 1/2″
• Weight: 195 lbs
• X: @xkimal
• Instagram: @k5_clark

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I was six years old when my older brother was seven years old and he was playing flag football, and I was just on the sidelines running around and watching his games and I told my mom that I wanted to play as well but I was too young to play flag at the time. So then next year he moved up to contact football, and I moved up with him to start playing football and I fell in love with it.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My senior year of high school we beat Canisius our rival to go to the state championship game against Monsignor Martin and that game went to overtime and we had a freshman by the name of Eryan Lawrence and he caught the first pass in overtime to win us the game. Winning DPOY last year with Central Connecticut State.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

To show the kids from my city and other inner cities that you know there’s more than just what our environment has showed us that there’s different outlets and different ways to make it in life and have the city know your name and not just for the wrong things, but for the right things, for being a good person and just uplifting kids every day.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

Jalen Ramsey, because Jalen Ramsey is my favorite player and he’s playing for the Steelers now so I love that and we both wear five, so I know hanging out with J-Ram he would drop some gems on me and I would pick up on a little bit of his trash talk and see what material he uses. Then the other one would be Brian Dawkins, I feel so similar to him when he steps on the field, he has the alter ego weapon x and I feel like I have the same thing, so you know just having conversations about that and just the way he played the game, I love it, so to give him praise.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

It would have to be my grandmother; she’s probably the hardest worker in the family. You know she’s been through a lot herself and every time I go see her, she has a big smile on her face. She’s so happy to be around her grandkids and her kids and she’s the light of the family.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I would have to say quarters just because you know at times you can be in coverage and if you’re not in coverage at the time you could be in the run fit, so I just feel like it gives you the versatility to show that you can cover guys and to show that you can fit in the run.

What should we know about Kimal Clark the person?

I’m a very laid-back person except for when it comes to the game of ball. Other than that, I’m chilling and I’m watching movies, hanging out with my teammates, I’m just a fun guy to be around, I’m not a guy that’s ever going to lie to any of my friends. I’m going to tell them about my honest opinion on everything. And be that person in their corner that they know if they turn and talk to him like he’s going to tell me what it is you know he’s not going to sugarcoat it and he just wants the best for me.

What stands out about your film the most?

The way I can fly around and always be near the ball. You know it doesn’t matter if the ball is on the other side of the field, I’m going to find my way over there because when everyone’s around the ball good things happen.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I handle it the way football has taught me and its next play. You know if something happens in life outside of football you know that I know that the sun is going to come up tomorrow and that this is just a small obstacle and a big journey of my life that I have to overcome at the moment.

What would a team get in a player like you?

You’re going to get a guy that’s going to come in and going to work. I’m going to bring some leadership to the room to the team as well. I’m a lead by example type of guy. You know it doesn’t matter how low I’ll start on the depth chart or how high I start on the depth chart you know at all times I’m going to be me. I’m going to be who my parents raised me to be and I’m going to try to uplift everyone else around me and just work my tail off until I can’t no more.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

It doesn’t matter what I’m going through in life and what ups and downs I’ve had. I know that when I step on the field, I put my helmet on, I got my shoulder pads on that nothing else in the world matters in that moment except the game of football and for those next 60 minutes I get to go out there and be that same kid that was watching my big brother run around playing flag football and just enjoy the game of football.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

I have two, one from Central Connecticut State, a receiver I played with, Isaac Boston, his routes were so smooth. He could stop on a dime and Isaac was about the same height as me 5′ 9″ playing slot receiver and you know if the ball was near him, he was coming down with it, for a smaller guy his catch radius was insane, and you know I don’t think a lot of people recognize that. Then one of my current teammates, Nick Osho who is a running back for us. That kid is amazing like when he runs behind his weight you might actually want to move out of his way because you don’t know what will happen, he’ll run through you he might put his foot into the ground next to me. Next thing you know you’re on all fours looking at him going into the end zone, Nick is truly special.