Bud Clark is a senior safety for TCU who attended Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was a 4-star player coming out, chose to sign with TCU in 2020, and began a lengthy college career. Clark was a COVID redshirt in 2020 and took another redshirt in 2021, appearing in four games that season, while also missing time due to injuries in both 2021 and 2022. He broke out during TCU’s CFP semifinal win vs Michigan, where he had a major pick-6 that changed the game. He earned a full-time role with TCU from then on. He was very productive, with 15 interceptions, tied for 4th in TCU football history and 2nd in the Big 12 in career interceptions, and 21 pass breakups. Clark earned significant recognition throughout his career, including placement on the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski watchlists in 2025, and three All–Big 12 selections: Honorable Mention in 2022 and Second Team honors in 2024 and 2025. Clark was also a Senior Bowl invite and was one of the standouts for that all-star event. After watching Clark, it is clear to see that he has the skills to be a productive NFL player.
Bud Clark’s game is built around range, instincts, and playmaking ability on the back end, but it also comes with some clear physical and functional limitations that show up on film. Clark has a long, slender frame with the length teams look for in a true deep safety. He plays fast when triggering downhill, showing excellent burst when he reads passes or a run from depth. He has a longer, slender frame and, as a long strider, he builds speed quickly and covers ground efficiently once he opens up, allowing him to close throwing windows and recover when plays extend. His lower-body flexibility is a plus, as good knee and ankle flexibility help him plant, drive, and explode toward the football. Mentally, Clark is a reliable coverage defender who consistently understands his responsibilities. His route recognition stands out, and the growth he showed from the 2024 season to 2025 was substantial. He diagnoses route concepts well, anticipates throws, and often makes plays that cover for teammates when coverage breaks down. In coverage, he has the range to play deep half or single-high safety and is at his best when he can keep plays in front of him and use his eyes. His ball skills are a major strength, as he tracks the ball well, aggressively attacks the catch point, and consistently creates turnovers. His length helps him generate pass breakups, and he plays with confidence when the ball is in the air.
Clark’s physical profile also creates limitations. His frame is on the smaller side for the position, and his play strength can be exposed, particularly when taking on blocks in the run game. While he is a willing run defender and shows good burst coming downhill, he can get overwhelmed at the point of attack and is an inconsistent tackler. His aggressiveness sometimes works against him, leading to poor angles or missed opportunities in space. From a movement standpoint, stiff hips are a noticeable issue. In man coverage, this can cause him to open his hips too late, allowing receivers to gain separation. He often needs to open his hips early and anticipate routes early to stay in phase, rather than relying on pure mirroring ability. Although his instincts are strong in coverage, his run recognition can be a step slow at times. At the catch point, his aggressive mindset can lead to being overly physical, resulting in grabby tendencies and potential penalties if not cleaned up at the next level.
Scheme Fit and Team Fit: Deep/ROBBER SAF
A team that allows him to play the single high or in 2 high coverage and show off his ball skills and range would love him. Teams like the Bears, Bengals, and Cowboys, who like rangy safeties to make plays on the ball, would be a great fit for him. The Bears and Cowboys specifically have defensive staff rooms that I can see Clark continuing to grow as a defender.
NFL Player Comp: Calen Bullock
The first player that came to mind when watching him was Calen Bullock, who the Texans drafted in 2023 in round 3. Rangy SAFs who struggled a bit in the run game. Bullock, I felt, had better cover skills, but I think Clark is a better run defender coming out.
Projection: High-End Starter
I think he will be a league-average starter in Y1, where the right team can utilize his coverage skills. With continued development as a run defender and some injury luck, he can be a high-end starter like Bullock by Y3.
Grade and Round Projection: 5.5 (5.3 initial grade), Day 2
He can be an impact starter on day 1 for any team if he can continue to create TOs. Teams value that to allow their offenses more chances to score. This is a very deep SAF class, and I think he will be one of the many players who stand out from it.
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