Tigers Football Q&A: Rodrigues Clark

Where did your nickname come from?
Dreke (pronounced Dreek)? I was at home one day, and my neighbor couldn't pronounce my name, Rodrigues. He called me "Dreke the Freak," and it's been that way since. I just ran with it.

How old were you when that happened?
I was 11 or 12 years old.

You wore No. 25 last year and now you're wearing No. 2. Any reason behind the number change?
I talked with Coach Silverfield right before we went into quarantine. I asked him if I could change my number. I told him that I wanted to work for the number. I asked him for a single-digit jersey, and he gave me the number 2. Brady White has my high school number (No. 3).

You said you wanted to "work" for the number. What did you do?
I came out here and worked every day. I was one of the guys being more vocal, standing at the front of the line. I just tried to get better and be a leader.

What was your mindset coming in last year as a freshman?
I came in and I wanted to work, look up to the older guys and learn the playbook. I didn't get much playing time last year, and that was on me.

Heading into the second game of last season, did you get a hint you may see some game action?
The week before that (the Ole Miss game), I blocked six punts on special teams in practice. Coaches said that had never seen someone do that before. So, Coach Lembo said he wanted me on punt pressure and said I was going to get one against Southern. Coach Lembo is one of the best coaches in football when it comes to special teams. I trusted my coaches and my training.

What happened first in the game – your block or your first rush?
I blocked the punt first and then came back and scored my first touchdown.

What did you first think when you blocked the punt?
Once I blocked it, I said, 'oh, I just blocked a punt.' I kind of lost the ball, but Keith Brown picked it up and scored the touchdown. I just met him in the end zone.

Your blocked punt led to a touchdown. Do you take some pride in that?
I want to win. I came from a winning program (in high school), so I don't want to lose.

What were your feelings when you scored your first touchdown later in the game?
The game was played September 7, a day before my birthday. That (scoring the touchdown) was a good birthday present. When I scored the touchdown, it sort of felt like high school again.

Did you ever play special teams in high school?
I never played special teams when I was in high school. I played at running back my whole career.

How did you feel when the coaches here wanted you to play special teams?
This year, I'm more comfortable on special teams because I understand by studying over the quarantine break. Last year, I didn't know much, so I relied on the coaches to tell me what to do. It was new to me, and I wasn't really feeling it last year. But this year, I'm trying to play on everything. Special teams are fun. It gets you in the game.

You were one of two first-year players to see action last year. How did you feel getting playing time early in your career?
I'm going to be honest. I was kind of stressed out last year before I broke my redshirt because I really didn't know what was going on. But I knew I could play and blend in with the veterans on the team. It was kind of stressful, but once I talked to A.J. Brown, Willie Gay, my high school coaches and Coach (Tony) Jones, they were telling me to relax and go and have fun, and on't look at it as a bad thing that I'm not redshirting.

Did the Southern game help you gain some confidence?
I really got some confidence in preseason after the first scrimmage with the veterans. Once someone got some contact on me, I was ready to go. But, the Southern game did help. Once I blocked that punt, I had the mentality that I couldn't be blocked.

What's it like in the running back room? How do you guys support each other while also competing for time on the field?
We have one word to describe the running backs: savages. We have some love in the running back room. We try to keep everybody on track, lift everyone up. I help other backs, and they help me. We're brothers. We have competition, we're always competing. We just want to be better.

What was it like playing in the Cotton Bowl where the Dallas Cowboys play?
Once I stepped in there, I thought, 'I have to get to the league. It motivated me to work 10 times harder. The bowl game was a good experience and a lot of fun.

Who do you seek advice from on the team?
I talk with Damonte (Coxie), Brady (White). If you're around and know what's going on, I'm probably going to ask you for advice. I take it in, every note, and improve my game.

What did you work on during quarantine?
I worked on my speed and power. We have this hill in my hometown (Starkville, Mississippi) where all the athletes run and work out. I want to be a faster back. I lifted weights a little, but I studied more. I want to be smarter when I'm on the field.

Did you do anything else other than football during quarantine?
I just chilled with my family and took advantage of that time. I'm always here in Memphis when football is going, so I barely get to spend time with my family.

As a sport and leisure management major, what do you want to do after football?
I want to build a training facility back in Mississippi. A lot of guys where I'm from get in the streets. They want to play football, but they don't have the environment to do that. I'm going to build a facility and become a trainer. I want to see everybody succeed.

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