Kei’Trel Clark could be the Steelers next Mike Hilton

Published March 2nd, 2:09 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Cincinnati Bengals Mike Hilton is entering his seventh season in the NFL. Pound-for-pound Hilton weighs in as the most fearless player in the league. No matter the size nor the competition Hilton proved over the course of his career to be one of Mike Tomlin’s favorite players.

Hilton’s aggressiveness and persistence to exceed his level of competition at practice and on the field, led to him signing his second contract worth $24million over four years. Not too shabby for an undrafted player in 2016 out of Ole Miss.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin loved those endearing qualities Hilton brought to the game. It was the smallest dog with the biggest bite. Hilton took no prisoner’s and Tomlin gravity to him.

If Tomlin envisions having Mike Hilton 2.0 on his roster. Louisville slot corner Kei’Trel Clark could satisfy his appetite. Mirror images of one another (in my opinion), Clark exhibits that exact tenacity and passion Hilton has shown throughout his career.

“I’m a pest bro,” Clark said from the podium at the NFL Combine. “Like I’m a pest around the ball.”

Clark relishes in the role of being counted out and unnoticed. It fuels his eternal flame that is protected by the Hamsa Hand necklace he wears to ward off evil spirits.

“I’ve been the underdog since I came out of the womb, you feel me,” Clark said. “I’m really an underdog. I’m still an underdog till this day and even in this draft.”

Hilton bounced around between Jacksonville and New England before signing with the Steelers in December of his rookie season in 2017. The Steelers were able to develop and utilize Hilton’s best assets as he grew into one of the league’s top nickel cornerbacks.

Beginning his college career at Liberty where he appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, led Clark transferring to Louisville in 2020. Immediately, making his impact felt. Clark made second team All-ACC during the Covid season.

This year, he played nickel back after playing exclusively cornerback at Louisville. The switch benefitted him magnificently. It led him to being invited to the East West Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine. Pretty remarkable to think about when he was getting offers from small schools like Howard or Marshall leaving high school.

“I like watching a lot of Mike Hilton,” Clark said. “How he fits into the run game. How he comes on blitzes. I love it.”

Clark mentioned he doesn’t care if he goes in round one or is the last pick of the NFL Draft. He has been preparing as the underdog his entire life. That is where this dawg began to learn how to bite. One snub here. Another, your no good there.

In the coming months this dawg will be left off his leash when rookie camps open.

Maybe on the south side of Pittsburgh.