Former University of Hawaii offensive lineman Ben Clarke’s football dream was answered in a text.
“My agent texted me and said we signed with the (Kansas City) Chiefs,” said Clarke, who received the free-agent deal after not being selected in the National Football League’s seven-round draft.
Quarterback Max Wittek, who played a season for the Rainbow Warriors after transferring from USC in August 2014, agreed to a free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wittek’s signing bonus was not revealed. Clarke will receive a signing bonus of $4,000.
They each will earn $450,000 — the NFL minimum wage for rookies — if they make their teams this season.
Clarke received pre-draft interest from the Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.
“Out of everyone, I thought (the Chiefs) showed the most interest,” Clarke said. “I’m excited about it.”
Clarke played his first two UH seasons at center before switching to left tackle in 2014. During UH’s pro day in Azusa, Calif., last month, a Chiefs scout asked Clarke to work out at center during field drills. After the session, the scout and Clarke had a private meeting. Clarke is expected to compete at center or guard with the Chiefs.
Clarke played most of last season with a fracture and sprain in his left foot.
“I played on it every week, so the sprain never healed,” Clarke said. “It’s all good now.”
Clarke relinquished four sacks but did not have a holding penalty in 847 snaps and 453 pass plays last year.
Clarke said he received a text from a friend living near Kansas City.
“He said: ‘As soon as you get here, I’m taking you to get barbecue,’” Clarke said, laughing.
Wittek received interest from 10 teams, most notably the Carolina Panthers and Broncos.
Wittek, like Clarke, played despite injuries in 2015. He had a popped bursa sac in his left knee that required fluids to be drained at midweek and on game day. He also suffered a broken toe in his left foot, and then an MCL sprain and torn cartilage in his right knee. Wittek underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in November, and was fully healthy for UH’s pro day in March.
Punahou product Kaimi Fairbairn was also a free-agent selection. The UCLA place-kicker signed with the Houston Texans. In all, three players from Hawaii high schools were drafted. Punahou’s DeForest Buckner was selected seventh in the first round by San Francisco, Kamalei Correa of Saint Louis was the 42nd choice in the second round by Baltimore and Kamu Grugier-Hill of Kamehameha was picked in the sixth round by New England.
