STARKVILLE - Arceto Clark was not part of the 2009 signing class that included a bevy of receivers who were expected to help solve Mississippi State's offensive woes.

He had already been on campus for a year, a signee of Sylvester Croom. And as has been recounted many times, Clark went from receiver to cornerback and then back to receiver under Croom's successor, Dan Mullen.

Last season, the Shannon native became a reliable ball-catcher. This season, he's more than that: He's the go-to guy for MSU's quarterbacks.

Clark, a fourth-year junior from Shannon, leads the Bulldogs (5-4, 1-4 SEC) this season with 25 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Those are better numbers than Chad Bumphis, a 2009 signee who led the team in receiving his first two years on campus.

And Clark hasn't just been making catches, he's been making difficult catches, clutch catches. The most recent example was his leaping grab over two defenders for a 27-yard touchdown against UT Martin last week.

"I was determined to get it," Clark said. "I had snatched it at the beginning, and when I was coming down, he took it, and I just snatched it back. I just ripped it back out from him."

That sort of mentality can be traced back to Clark's cornerback days. He's able to play the ball and positions his body well, and he's aggressive.

"Playing on the defensive side, it brought the more physical side out of me," he said.

As evidenced by that touchdown catch against UT Martin, Clark has great hands. He rarely drops passes, and he can haul in the football no matter how his body is angled or twisted, or where it is in relation to the turf and defenders.

"He adapts to the ball well," MSU offensive coordinator Les Koenning said. "When the ball's up in the air, he always gives himself a chance to catch the football. ... Arceto's not very big, but he's quick and elusive, and he's got more speed than you think he does, so he can get behind you."

What's been especially valuable about Clark (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) is his consistency. He's made four or more catches in four of his last five games, and he had career highs against UT Martin - 96 yards and two TDs.

He's fulfilling the mandate handed down by MSU's coaches: When you have a chance to make a play, do it.

That's due to Clark's effort of honing every part of his game.

"Being a great receiver's being fundamentally very sound, catching balls, being a good route runner," Mullen said. "He really works hard to do the little things the right way."

Clark has a big test this week against No. 4 Alabama, which ranks first in the country against the pass and boasts players like cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and safety Mark Barron. Clark expects a big challenge, but he also expects a lot of himself.

"Me, I don't try to be arrogant or nothing, but I go out there with the mindset, I can beat anybody. That's what I tell myself."

brad.locke@journalinc.com