Bud Clark
Bud Clark  S  TCU | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Bud Clark
Height
6-2
Weight
185
College
TCU
Position
S
Class
Junior
Home town
Alexandria, LA
85.5/100
Player Rating
10
PositionRank (DB)
4.48
FortyYD Time
Interceptions
3
Interception YDS
3
Passes Defensed
3
Tackles
68
Sol tackles
44

Bud Clark S TCU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Bud Clark S TCU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Man-Zone Free Safety
Last Updated: 05/21/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.48 seconds (79%*)
Measurables:
Height: 6-2 (79%*) Weight: 185 (6%*)
Forty: 4.48 (O) (79%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Man-Zone Free Safety
Last Updated: 05/21/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.48 seconds (79%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-2 (79%*) Weight: 185 (6%*)
Forty: 4.48 (O) (79%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 85.5 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
75%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 63.0
Tackling:
85%
Run Defense:
79%
Coverage:
91%
Zone:
89%
Man/Press:
93%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 2nd - Late
Overall Rank: #67 Position rank: #10
College Games: 39 College Snaps: 1921
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 90 Stars 247 RATING: 90/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Kerby Joseph - Illinois
87%
Calen Bullock - USC
83%
Renardo Green - Florida State
82%
Draft Profile: Bio
From Alexandria, Louisiana, Bud Clark arrived at TCU as a highly-touted four-star recruit who turned down LSU, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss to become a Horned Frog. The 6'2", 185-pound safety has transformed from an athletic but raw defender into one of the most instinctive ballhawks in college football. Born with natural playmaking ability, Clark has refined his craft through five seasons in Fort Worth, developing into a team captain and All-Big 12 performer.

After cutting his teeth on special teams as a freshman, Clark fought through early-career injuries before exploding onto the national scene during TCU's magical 2022 College Football Playoff run. His pick-six against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal showcased his game-changing talent on college football's biggest stage. Clark continued his ascent, racking up 11 career interceptions through his first five seasons while setting a career-high with 67 tackles in 2024 as a key cog in Andy Avalos' defense.

Clark's decision to return for the 2025 season rather than declare for the NFL draft speaks volumes about his character and determination to leave his mark on TCU's record books. Already ninth in school history with 11 interceptions, he aims to climb higher while leading a talented Horned Frogs secondary that he confidently claimed is "trying to be the best in the nation."
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Ball production jumps off the tape with 11 career interceptions – showcases rare ability to bait quarterbacks into dangerous throws before closing with explosion and timing.
  • Exceptional route recognition in zone coverage where he reads quarterbacks like a poker player spotting tells, allowing him to consistently jump underneath routes.
  • Fluid hip transitions when flipping from backpedal to full stride – maintains proper leverage while carrying receivers vertically without sacrificing positioning.
  • Accelerates through his breaks with controlled aggression, showing the closing burst to erase separation and disrupt at the catch point with violent hands.
  • Battle-tested against elite competition throughout his career – delivered in the biggest moments including his game-changing pick-six against Michigan in the CFP.
  • Improved tackle production each season (career-high 67 in 2024) with increasing confidence as a run defender, particularly when coming downhill from depth.
  • Takes proper angles to the ball carrier in space, rarely overshooting his target or getting manipulated by subtle cuts in the open field.
  • Natural leadership qualities as a two-time team captain who commands respect through his play and communication pre-snap.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Frame lacks ideal bulk for the position at just 185 pounds – will need to add functional strength to handle NFL tight ends at the catch point.
  • Can get washed out against the run when forced to take on pulling linemen or lead blockers – struggles to deconstruct blocks with consistency.
  • Missed significant time with injuries early in his career, raising some durability concerns despite solid availability over the past three seasons.
  • Occasionally takes unnecessary gambles jumping routes, leaving him vulnerable to double moves and vertical shot plays behind his coverage.
  • Tackling technique can be inconsistent – sometimes leads with shoulder instead of wrapping up, resulting in broken tackles against more powerful runners.
Scouting Report: Summary
Clark– a true ballhawk with natural instincts that can't be taught. Those 11 career interceptions weren't accidents; they were calculated chess moves from a safety who baits quarterbacks into throws he's already anticipating. That said, his thin frame raises legitimate concerns when projecting him against NFL tight ends and in run support where his impact diminishes significantly compared to his coverage prowess.

The tape shows a safety most comfortable playing zone coverage from depth where he can read, process, and react rather than being forced into consistent man coverage responsibilities. His fluid movement skills and acceleration through breaks allow him to close passing windows that appear open, but he'll need to become more disciplined in his gambling tendencies. Those same instincts that created game-changing turnovers also occasionally left his defense vulnerable to big plays when he guessed wrong.

The evolution of Clark's game over five seasons at TCU demonstrates a player who has steadily expanded his skill set while maintaining his playmaking edge. Day two seems the sweet spot for a defensive back with his combination of proven production and remaining questions. Defenses needing a centerfield presence who can disguise coverages will value him more than those seeking an enforcer-type safety. The difference between Clark becoming a solid starter versus a possible Pro Bowl talent ultimately hinges on whether he can maintain his disruptive coverage abilities while developing into a more consistent force against the run.

How other scouting services rate Bud Clark (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
101.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
23.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.