Background

Bud Clark grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, and was a four-star recruit ranked the No. 31 safety and No. 312 overall player nationally in the 2020 class. He signed with TCU and redshirted in 2020. Before an injury concluded his 2021 season, he started four games and achieved 10 tackles. He broke out in 2022, leading the Horned Frogs with 5 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 45 tackles while earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 as TCU went 13-2 and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and were subsequently blown out by UgA (who could ever guess my affiliations?). He followed up with 33 tackles and 3 interceptions in 2023 on a team that won just five games, then posted his most complete season as a senior in 2024 with 67 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 passes defended, earning Second-Team All-Big 12. He returned for a sixth year in 2025 and finished with 56 tackles, 1.5 TFL, a sack, 4 interceptions, and 7 passes defended. Career totals across four years as a starter: 15 interceptions and over 20 pass breakups, with experience at free safety, in the box, and in the slot. He played all over the formation during his career and was a four-year starter despite a long list of injuries that tested his durability. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Physical Attributes

Bud Clark has a weird frame for a safety in that he looks more like a CB. That in and of itself is not concerning, but when you add to that fact he has missed 14 games in his college career, including at least one per season for five seasons, and it makes you think twice about his ability to hold up in the NFL. Even with the size of a corner, he does not really move like one. Lateral movements are much more difficult for him than straight lines. He has very good speed, but does not match it with any real power in his game.

Data and Tape Analysis

If you are unfamiliar with my S radar charts, you can find more information here

Say it with me again. I want to see domination by over-aged players in their last year of CFB. The radar chart should clearly show it. This is not that. But, Clark got close enough to it that it is worthwhile looking into exactly what he does and how he could translate to the next level.

Clark is a solid cover safety, who might be more of a nickel because of his coverage tendencies. Clark is much better as a man cover defender. It allows him to lean on his physical tools more and his, to put it delicately, extremely one-tracked mind. He can just follow the receiver and use his good reactions to stay in phase.

In zone it is a different story. I do not love Clark's feel for his area. He focuses on one receiver and their movement, or the QB's eyes easily manipulate him. He reacts tenfold what he should, and it drags him way out of position constantly. With that gambling tendency and his athletic prowess, it still turns out okay sometimes. He had four PBUs and 2 INTs in zone coverage this year, but NFL OCs and QBs will have him looking for receivers in the concession stands.

That same boom or bust ability applies to Clark's run support and tackling. He flies down at a predetermined spot, and it becomes a yes or no proposition. Is the RB there? Yes? Then, okay, maybe Clark makes the tackle, but he might run past the RB or let him slip through his arms. Is the RB not there? No? Well, I hope there is other backside cover.

Grade and Outlook

Clark's coverage versatility makes him an interesting player at the next level. I doubt at this point, turning 24 before the NFL season, that he can refine his tendencies that much, but there is enough there to contribute. Clark looks to offer depth to a DB room and help cycle between the nickel, a box safety, and a field safety.

Grade: 5.1 (3rd Rounder)