BYU OL Hoge Misses USF Trip Due To Injury, Clark Barrington Gets First Start

TAMPA, Fla. – Quarterback Jaren Hall won’t be the only new face starting for BYU’s offense today against the USF Bulls.

Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Clark Barrington will also be starting in his first game as a Cougar at right guard.

Barrington steps in for junior Tristen Hoge who has started all five games this season at right guard. Hoge, who has been battling an undisclosed injury the past three weeks did not make the trip to USF and is recovering from his injury.

A former Notre Dame transfer, Hoge has started in all 18 games he has appeared in as a BYU Cougar.

Clark Barrington will start in replace of the injured Tristen Hoge today.

Earlier this week on Cougar Tracks I discussed how Barrington has become one of the most improved players in the program this season. Redshirt freshman getting his first start at right guard. #BYU

— Mitch Harper KSL (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2019

Barrington has never appeared in a game during his BYU career. A signee in Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016, Barrington was a two-star prospect out of Spokane, Washington. The older brother to BYU signee Campbell Barrington, Clark held offers from Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana coming out of University High School in Washington.

When Barrington returned from his mission last year, he needed to gain upwards of 70 pounds. Last season was a redshirt year for Barrington to gain weight. Since winter conditioning this past January, Barrington has been one of the most improved players in the program.

This season BYU has played seven offensive linemen. Barrington will be the eighth to appear in a game.

BYU’s starting offensive line against USF will be Brady Christensen at left tackle, Chandon Herring at left guard, James Empey at center, Clark Barrington at right guard, and Keanu Saleapaga at right tackle.

True freshman Blake Freeland made the travel squad for #BYU and will be available if needed this afternoon against USF.

— Mitch Harper KSL (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2019

True freshman offensive lineman Blake Freeland made the travel squad and will be available if needed this afternoon against USF.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.