Damone Clark Bio
Damone Clark (born June 28, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2022 NFL Draft. After recovering from spinal fusion surgery, he resumed his professional career and has continued to compete at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Damone Clark was born on June 28, 2000, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He spent his earliest years in the city until his family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, after which they relocated to Baton Rouge. The move reshaped his childhood and introduced him to a new community that would shape his athletic development.
Clark attended Southern University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, where he quickly stood out as a defensive prospect. During his junior season, he recorded 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and four interceptions, numbers that demonstrated his range as a linebacker and his instincts in coverage. His production at the high school level helped establish him as a recruit to watch in Louisiana.
Path to American Football
Clark committed to LSU, joining a program with a strong tradition of producing NFL linebackers. He played in 12 games during his freshman season on special teams and as a reserve linebacker behind starter Devin White, gaining valuable experience within a championship-caliber defense. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 15 of LSU’s games with three starts and finished with 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks while helping the Tigers win the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Entering his junior season, Clark was chosen by the Tigers’ coaching staff to wear the No. 18 jersey, an honor given to a player who represents leadership and toughness. He finished the year tied for the team lead with 63 tackles, a performance that earned him second-team All-American honors and first-team All-SEC recognition. His development through LSU’s competitive depth chart prepared him for the transition to the professional ranks.
Damone Clark Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Damone Clark was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round, 176th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, on June 23, 2022, it was announced that he had undergone spinal fusion surgery in March and would miss part of his rookie season. He was activated off of injured reserve on October 5, 2022, and worked to re-establish himself within the Cowboys’ linebacker rotation.
Over the following seasons, Clark continued to develop his role with the Cowboys, building on his LSU foundation of tackling and coverage skills. He contributed on special teams and in defensive packages as he gained experience at the professional level.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2022–2025)
Clark spent his first professional years with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in 2022. He overcame a significant spinal procedure early in his career and returned to the field later that season. His tenure with the Cowboys provided him with foundational NFL experience and exposure to a veteran defensive scheme.
On November 18, 2025, Clark was waived by the Cowboys, ending his initial professional chapter with the organization that had drafted him.
Houston Texans Era (2025–Present)
On November 19, 2025, Damone Clark was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, providing him a fresh opportunity to continue his NFL career. The move placed him on a competitive defensive roster and offered a new environment to showcase his linebacker skills. His transition to the Texans marked the beginning of his current professional chapter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clark is recognized for his instincts as a linebacker, his tackling consistency, and his ability to contribute in coverage. His college production, including 63 tackles in his junior season and 4 interceptions during his high school junior year, illustrates his range in both run support and pass defense. Coaches have valued his preparation and his capacity to read plays quickly.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clark’s most defining early moment came as part of LSU’s 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship team, where he recorded 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He was later named second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2021, wore the prestigious No. 18 jersey for the Tigers, and overcame spinal fusion surgery to begin his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Damone Clark Career Wins
Damone Clark’s professional résumé is still developing, with his most prominent team accomplishment coming at the collegiate level as a member of LSU’s 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship squad. He has earned individual recognition through All-American and All-SEC selections, reflecting the consistent production he has delivered since high school.
College Highlights
As a sophomore, Clark helped LSU win the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship while recording 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks across 15 games. He added 63 tackles as a junior in 2021, when he was named second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC.
Other Wins & Performances
During his junior year at Southern University Laboratory School, Clark posted 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and four interceptions, a stat line that underscored his two-way impact and helped him earn recognition as one of Louisiana’s top linebacker prospects.
Damone Clark Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Damone Clark’s family background centers on his upbringing in New Orleans and his family’s relocation to Baton Rouge following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The move shaped his early years and connected him to a community where his athletic talents could grow.
Personal Life
Damone Clark maintains a public presence through social media, including an Instagram account under the handle d_clark35. Further verified details about his personal life are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition point for Damone Clark. After spending his first professional years with the Dallas Cowboys, he was waived on November 18, 2025, ending his tenure with the team that drafted him in 2022.
One day later, on November 19, 2025, Clark was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, giving him a new opportunity within the AFC South. The midseason move offered him a fresh start and a chance to contribute to a new defensive scheme.
As he settles into the Texans’ linebacker room, Clark’s combination of college experience, including a national championship and All-American honors, and his recent professional development position him to compete for a meaningful role. His performance in the closing stretch of the 2025 season is expected to influence his outlook heading into the next NFL cycle.