DELRAY BEACH – When Bryson Clark leaves Palm Beach County for Alabama A&M on Wednesday (Aug. 12), he will remember what led him to this college point.
The former Atlantic tight end and now-alum of the Delray Beach-based high school made his choice to commit to the HBCU on March 10. He went on to sign his letter of intent with the Huntsville, Ala.-based institution on March 21.
Clark went with Alabama A&M over the likes of Cincinnati, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Savannah State, Montclair State, and Charleston Southern.
“What led me to my commitment was the environment of the university and the overall atmosphere,” the 6-foot-2, 210-pound tight end said. “I felt as if Alabama A&M University totally included me as a player with the best possible opportunity as far as my future goes: athletically and academically. The coaching staff was very professional and thoroughly described everything I desired in a university.”
Clark had more to say about his college decision.
“The academic portion also portrayed rigor and opportunity, which I also desired,” he said. “Both of these, as well as the social construct of being a pristine HBCU, made me feel welcomed and like family. I felt like these were better than my other options, thus my commitment.”
Clark will be joined by two other Alabama A&M signees from his class in Palm Beach County: offensive lineman Neville Brown (Palm Beach Lakes) and Jim Davis (Glades Central).
“It’s amazing to know that these boys from my area have made it to college,” he said. “I am excited about it really. But honestly, I’m happy for any boy/girl from my area to make it out of Palm Beach debt-free for college. I really am excited to bring the South Florida vibe to Bama with Neville and Jim though. We’re going to get right fasho.”
What made Clark’s opportunity possible was the fact he did capitalize on some big moments in his senior season at Atlantic. One of those came in a Week 4 matchup with state powerhouse Chaminade, when he hauled in two touchdown catches – one of which was called back – in a 17–14 home loss.
“That was my best game,” said Clark, who finished as our No. 3-ranked tight end in Palm Beach County.
Clark reflected on his senior season at Atlantic.
“I would say senior year went well,” said Clark, a transfer from Park Vista last summer who changed positions from quarterback to tight end in the process. “It was a great experience playing with Atlantic football team. We had a lot of fun and we were a great team honestly. Disappointed in the end, but I’m happy to say I was an Eagle.”
Clark was also happy on the basketball court at Atlantic. For the winter season, he averaged around 27 points per game, with his best outing in a contest against Santaluces, when he had 33 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
“Basketball season was amazing. It was competitive and it was fun,” said Clark, who helped Atlantic finish the 2019-2020 season with a 11-11 record. “I enjoyed everything about basketball season, from the games to the practices to the getting all the jumpsuits. Basketball season was great under Coach [Rodney] Dobar and his staff. Plus my teammates were like little brothers to me.”
A few weeks after the basketball season ended, the COVID-19 pandemic happened. It forced Clark and his fellow classmates to operate in a virtual setting from that point forward.
Clark touched on how the pandemic affected his high school graduation and more.
“Graduating from home honestly sucked,” Clark said. “Everything about this pandemic ending the year so abruptly and blindsiding everyone was terrible. All the end of the year activities were canceled, and quite frankly I was disappointed because I was waiting to participate in all of them for years, especially graduation. It was so bittersweet.”
Clark did not stop there.
“My family made the most of it,” he said. “But that’s an experience I’ve work hard for just to never get the end result to walk across the stage saying I finally graduated. The virtual gradation was not sufficient enough for my personal liking. But through it all, I did graduate top of my class. So even though it wasn’t what I expected, it was still satisfying to say I graduated. Some things you just can’t predict and you have to just endure and persevere. This is one of those things.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Epiphany Photography and Morgan Waters
