Redbirds add pair of FBS transfers to roster

[May 01, 2012]  NORMAL -- Even though spring camp is over for the Illinois State football team, head coach Brock Spack and his coaching staff are still working hard and announced the transfer of former Ohio State defensive back Dominic Clarke and former Miami offensive lineman Jermaine Barton into the football program Monday.

Clarke, a native of Frederick, Md., played in 12 games for the Buckeyes in 2011 and will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Redbirds. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back recorded a total of 12 tackles on defense and added three pass breakups last year. In his career with the Buckeyes, Clarke played in 25 games overall and posted 26 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception.

Spack believes Clarke will be another strong addition to the Redbird defense but could help out in other spots on the field as well.

"Dominic is a gifted athlete and started a few games last year as a cornerback at Ohio State," Spack said. "He is a defensive back by trade, but he could be a slot receiver, a running back and a kick returner as well, so he is a guy with possibilities with the ball in his hand for us. It came down to us and Georgia Southern, so we were happy he decided to continue his collegiate career at ISU. I think it shows where we are at here in our program and that we can compete with those people and in any part of the country to get good players."

Barton, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a St. Thomas Aquinas High School product, will have three years of eligibility remaining at ISU. Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, the 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive lineman redshirted in his first season with the Hurricanes in 2010, before participating as a member of the scout team in 2011.

After having only eight healthy offensive linemen participate in spring workouts, Spack hopes Barton and the Redbird recruiting class will help bolster the offensive line for the Redbirds.

"Jermaine was a pretty highly recruited player out of high school, took a visit to Wisconsin and ended up at Miami," Spack said. "I had a friend of mine who works in the Big Ten say he was the highest-rated athlete on their board coming out of high school, so I am excited about adding a player that well thought of. I thought we needed some more help on our offensive line, especially at the tackle position, and we expect him to be a contributor for this program for the next three years."

The two newest Redbirds will join their teammates on the field for fall training camp, beginning Aug. 4.

[Text from news release received from Michael Williams, Illinois State University]