Charles Clay (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Charles Clay
| image = Charles Clay Bills 2015.JPG
| caption = Clay with the Buffalo Bills in 2015
| current_team =
| number = 31, 42, 85
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 246
| high_school = Little Rock Central {{nowrap|(Little Rock, Arkansas)}}
| college = Tulsa (2007–2010)
| draftyear = 2011
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 174
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL year|2019}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 357
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 3,868
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 24
| pfr = C/ClayCh00
}}
Charles Clay (born February 13, 1989) is an American former professional football tight end. He played college football at Tulsa and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals.
Clay began his career as a fullback and often lined up in the backfield as an H-back.
Early life
Clay attended Little Rock Central High School where he was ranked as the 13th top overall prospect in the state of Arkansas by Rivals.com his senior season. As a senior, he rushed for 891 yards and 11 touchdowns, he also had four receiving touchdowns. He was rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.{{cite web |url=http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clay_charles00.html |title=Charles Clay Bio - Tulsa Official Athletic Site |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121137/http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clay_charles00.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}
College career
After high school, Clay attended the University of Tulsa, where he majored in business as well as played halfback and fullback from 2007 to 2010. As a true freshman in 2007, he appeared in all 14 games (10 starts). He recorded 69 receptions for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns. His receiving yards ranked him second on the school's all-time freshman receiving list. He also recorded 304 rushing yards and one touchdown. He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team as well as All-C-USA honorable mention. He was also named Second-team Freshman All-American by Rivals.com as an All-purpose player. As a sophomore in 2008, he appeared in all 14 games (nine starts). He recorded 38 receptions for 464 yards and nine touchdowns. He also carried the ball 25 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. In 2009, as a junior, he appeared in all 12 games (11 starts). He recorded 39 receptions for 530 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 63 times for 236 yards and seven touchdowns. As a senior in 2010, he appeared in 13 games. He recorded 43 receptions for 526 yards and seven touchdowns. He also, rushed the ball 34 times for 226 yards.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/charles-clay-1.html |title=Charles Clay College Stats |website=Sports-Reference.com |access-date=December 12, 2016}}
During his career Clay accumulated 685 rushing yards on 145 carries with 10 rushing touchdowns and also added over 2,000 yards receiving with 21 receiving touchdowns.
=College statistics=
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | |
| 2007 | Tulsa
| 14 || 10 || 69 || 1,024 || 14.8 || 53 || 7 || 57 || 304 || 5.3 || 30 || 1 | |||||||||||
| 2008 | Tulsa
| 14 || 9 || 38 || 464 || 12.2 || 73 || 9 || 25 || 145 || 5.8 || 40 || 2 | |||||||||||
| 2009 | Tulsa
| 12 || 11 || 39 || 530 || 13.6 || 63 || 5 || 63 || 236 || 3.7 || 20 || 7 | |||||||||||
| 2010 | Tulsa
| 13 || — || 43 || 526 || 12.2 || — || 7 || 34 || 226 || 6.6 || — || 0 | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/charles-clay-1.html Career] | 52 | — | 189 | 2,544 | 13.5 | 73 | 28 | 179 | 911 | 5.1 | 40 | 10 |
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+7/8
| weight = 245
| dash = 4.73
| ten split = 1.67
| twenty split = 2.74
| shuttle = 4.15
| cone drill = 7.07
| vertical = 33+1/2
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 10
| bench = 18
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9+5/8
| note = All values from NFL Scouting Combine.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=69364&draftyear=2011&genpos=FB |title=Charles Clay, DS #1 FB, Tulsa |website=NFLDraftScout.com |access-date=December 12, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/charles-clay?id=2495139 |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Charles Clay |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 12, 2016}}
}}
After playing in the 2011 Senior Bowl and participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, NFL.com's scouts noted that "Clay is an athletic fullback that is a weapon in the receiving game. Possesses good lateral agility and makes people miss in the open field. Delivers powerful shots blocking and shows good leg drive. Strong enough to push the pile in short yardage situations and can break tackles in the secondary."{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/charlesclay/2495139/combine |title=Charles Clay: Combine Stats |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 12, 2016}}
=Miami Dolphins=
Clay was selected in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2019-02-26}}{{Cite news|url=http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2011/04/30/miami-dolphins-trade-up-five-spots-and-draft-tulsa-h-back-charles-clay/|title=Miami Dolphins trade up five spots and draft Tulsa H-Back Charles Clay|date=April 30, 2011|work=Palm Beach Post|access-date=September 12, 2017}} He signed his 4-year rookie deal on July 29.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newson6.com/story/15176359/charles-clay-signs-rookie-deal-with-miami|title=Charles Clay Signs Rookie Deal With Miami|date=July 29, 2011|work=News On 6|access-date=September 12, 2017|language=en}}
Clay recorded his first career reception on October 2, 2011, against the San Diego Chargers. On November 20, he recorded his first touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. He finished the 2011 seasons with 16 receptions for 233 yards (14.6 avg.) and three touchdowns and the 2012 season with 18 receptions for 212 yards (11.8 avg.) and two touchdowns as one of the team's fullbacks.
In 2013, after starting tight end Dustin Keller suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, Clay assumed the starting tight end role after being an H-back on the team.{{cite web |url=http://www.dolphinsgab.com/2013/08/20/miami-dolphins-charles-clay-moves-to-starting-tight-end/ |title=Miami Dolphins: Charles Clay Moves to Starting Tight End |last=Strahm |first=Cody |website=DolphinsGab.com |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=December 12, 2016}} In his second start, he recorded his first career rushing touchdown and 109 yards receiving in a Week 2 matchup with the Colts.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/charlesclay/2495139/gamelogs |title=Charles Clay Game logs |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 12, 2016}} During Week 14, against the Pittsburgh Steelers he broke multiple tackles, including one of veteran safety Troy Polamalu, on his way to a touchdown in a Miami win. He finished the season with 69 catches (7th among tight ends), 759 yards (tied for 9th), 11.0 avg. and six touchdowns; in addition to 15 yards rushing on seven carries and a rushing touchdown. His performance earned him the 89th ranking position on the 2014 edition of the NFL Top 100.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000350266/article/atl-writers-weigh-in-on-top-100-players-of-2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516063157/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000350266/article/atl-writers-weigh-in-on-top-100-players-of-2014 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2014 |title=ATL writers weigh in on 'The Top 100 Players of 2014' |publisher=National Football League |date=May 14, 2014 |access-date=May 15, 2014}}
In the 2014 season, he started all 14 games he appeared in, missing games 11 and 12 due to injury. In week 16, he had a career best 114 yards on six catches in a win over Minnesota.[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412210mia.htm Box score] On the season, he recorded 58 receptions for 605 yards (10.4 avg.) and three touchdowns.
=Buffalo Bills=
On March 19, 2015, Clay signed a five-year, $38 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, after the Dolphins elected not to match the offer.{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-land-TE-Charles-Clay/695f0127-e39a-449d-87a7-2eddf62cac17|title=Bills land TE Charles Clay|last1=Brown|first1=Chris|date=March 19, 2015|website=BuffaloBills.com|publisher=Buffalo Bills|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321144853/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-land-TE-Charles-Clay/695f0127-e39a-449d-87a7-2eddf62cac17|archive-date=March 21, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=March 19, 2015}}
In 2015, his first season in Buffalo, he started 13 games. He had a career best nine catches in game 4 against the Giants, and matched it two weeks later against the Bengals, both losses. He recorded 51 receptions for 528 yards (10.4 avg.) and three touchdowns.
He played all 16 games in 2016, but reached 50 yards receiving in only five of them. All four of his touchdowns came in games 13 to 15.
On September 10, 2017, Clay caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against the New York Jets.{{Cite news|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Ground-game-and-run-%E2%80%98D%E2%80%99-carry-Bills-to-Week-1-win/17c6532d-3c1e-4784-aaf2-59e0b71245b8|title=Ground game and run 'D' carry Bills to Week 1 win|last=Brown|first=Chris|date=September 10, 2017|work=Buffalo Bills|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912055819/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Ground-game-and-run-%E2%80%98D%E2%80%99-carry-Bills-to-Week-1-win/17c6532d-3c1e-4784-aaf2-59e0b71245b8|archive-date=September 12, 2017|url-status=dead}} He played a pivotal role in a 23–17 week 4 victory over undefeated Atlanta with 112 yards.
In 2018, Clay had 21 receptions for a career-low 184 yards and no touchdowns.
On February 15, 2019, Clay was released by the Bills.{{cite web|title=Bills release tight end Charles Clay|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-release-tight-end-charles-clay|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=February 15, 2019}}
==Buffalo Bills franchise records==
- First Bills tight end with back-to-back seasons with 50+ receptions, 500+ receiving yards {{Cite web|url=http://pfref.com/tiny/xLk6n|title=Player Streak Finder}}
- Most consecutive games with 1+ receiving TD by a Bills tight end: 3, tied with Scott Chandler{{Cite web|url=http://pfref.com/tiny/m4GZW|title=Player Streak Finder}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On February 19, 2019, Clay signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract worth up to $3.25 million with a $350K signing bonus.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Add Tight End By Signing Charles Clay|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-tight-end-by-signing-charles-clay|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=February 19, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Roundup: Cardinals sign former Bills TE Charles Clay|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/roundup-cardinals-sign-former-bills-te-charles-clay-0ap3000001018308|author=Teope, Herbie|website=NFL.com|date=February 19, 2019}}
On June 11, 2021, the Baltimore Ravens hosted Clay for a workout.{{cite web | url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/11/charles-clay-worked-out-for-ravens/amp/ | title=Charles Clay worked out for Ravens | date=June 11, 2021 }}
NFL career statistics
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} | |
| 2011 | MIA
| 14 || 9 || 16 || 233 || 14.6 || 46 || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2012 | MIA
| 14 || 9 || 18 || 212 || 11.8 || 31 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2013 | MIA
| 16 || 15 || 69 || 759 || 11.0 || 67 || 6 || 7 || 15 || 2.1 || 13 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | MIA
| 14 || 14 || 58 || 605 || 10.4 || 41 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2015 | BUF
| 13 || 13 || 51 || 528 || 10.4 || 40 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2016 | BUF
| 15 || 15 || 57 || 552 || 9.7 || 40 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | BUF
| 13 || 13 || 49 || 558 || 11.4 || 44 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 | BUF
| 13 || 12 || 21 || 184 || 8.8 || 44 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | ARI
| 15 || 10 || 18 || 237 || 13.2 || 47 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh00.htm Career] | 127 | 110 | 357 | 3,868 | 10.8 | 67 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 2.1 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Personal life
Clay is the son of Charles and Jerrilyn Clay. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The elder Clay played college football at Arkansas.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter|C42Clay}}
- {{Football stats |nfl=2495139 |espn=14145 |pfr=C/ClayCh00}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clay_charles00.html |title=Charles Clay Tulsa Golden Hurricane bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121137/http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clay_charles00.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161220201115/http://www.miamidolphins.com/team/roster/Charles-Clay/6bcc37fe-5b33-44b7-8f9a-9c279d08d040 Miami Dolphins bio]
- [http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster/Charles-Clay/d587ed85-39bf-408a-9aa0-f970a9eea580 Buffalo Bills bio]
{{Dolphins2011DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clay, Charles}}
Category:Players of American football from Little Rock, Arkansas
Category:Little Rock Central High School alumni
Category:American football tight ends
Category:American football fullbacks
Category:Tulsa Golden Hurricane football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen