Bud Clark Scouting Report | TCU S | 2026 NFL Draft

Player Snapshot

School: TCU
Position: Safety
Height: 6-2 / Weight: 190 lbs
Class: Senior
Hometown: Alexandria, Louisiana

Bud Clark is a veteran, ball-hawking free safety with elite production, strong instincts, and extensive high-level experience as the centerpiece of TCU’s secondary. A multi-year starter and two-time All-Big 12 selection, Clark built his draft profile on playmaking range, coverage instincts, and leadership rather than elite size or physical dominance. His projection centers on a starting-caliber deep safety with turnover production and three-down coverage value.

Player Background & Production

Clark has been a long-term contributor at TCU, appearing in roughly 60 career games and serving as a team captain while anchoring the Horned Frogs’ defense across multiple seasons. He played a key role in TCU’s 2022 College Football Playoff run, highlighted by a pick-six in the semifinal against Michigan and multiple clutch turnovers during the season.

His production has been consistently strong year-over-year, including seasons with 60+ tackles, multiple interceptions, and steady pass breakup numbers. In 2025, he totaled 56 tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass breakups while starting and ranking among the team’s defensive leaders.

Over his career, Clark accumulated over 200 tackles, 15 interceptions, and consistent ball production, finishing among TCU’s all-time interception leaders and establishing himself as one of the most productive safeties in the program’s recent history.

Strengths

Ball Skills & Playmaking: Clark is a true ball hawk with excellent timing and tracking ability. He consistently finds the football in the air, attacks passing lanes, and converts opportunities into turnovers, as reflected by his double-digit career interceptions and pick-six production on big stages.

Instincts & Football IQ: He processes route concepts quickly and shows strong awareness in deep coverage. Clark reads quarterbacks well, anticipates throws, and positions himself effectively in zone and split-safety looks.

Range & Deep Coverage Ability: Clark displays good range as a free safety, covering ground efficiently and staying active over the top. His movement skills allow him to rotate across the field and close throwing windows in the intermediate and deep areas.

Experience & Leadership: With multiple seasons as a starter and team captain, Clark brings a highly experienced profile. He has played in high-pressure games, including playoff contests, and consistently operated as the communication leader in the secondary.

Coverage Production Consistency: Clark has recorded at least three interceptions and multiple pass breakups across several seasons, demonstrating sustained coverage impact rather than one-year breakout production.

Tackling & Run Support: He is a reliable open-field tackler who takes efficient pursuit angles and finishes plays in space. His tackle totals reflect consistent involvement in both run defense and underneath coverage support.

Areas for Improvement

Play Strength & Physicality: At around 190 pounds, Clark has a lean frame for the position. Bigger tight ends and physical receivers can challenge him at the catch point and when working through contact.

Man Coverage vs. Elite Athletes: While instinctive in zone, he can be stressed in isolated man coverage against faster slot receivers or dynamic vertical threats.

Top-End Speed Ceiling: Clark shows good functional range but does not possess elite recovery speed, which can limit his margin for error when playing deep against vertical route combinations.

Pursuit Control & Missed Opportunities: His aggressive play style can occasionally lead to over-pursuit or aggressive angles that open cutback lanes if he misreads initial action.

Medical History & Durability: Clark has dealt with injuries at multiple points in his career, including early-career missed time and at least one late-season absence after starting the majority of the year. He returned to play and maintained a leadership role, but his durability will be part of pre-draft evaluations.

Film Traits & Measurables

• Physical Frame: 6-2, 190-pound safety build with long, lean profile
• Athletic Profile: Good range and fluid movement with instinct-driven play speed
• Alignment Usage: Primarily free safety with split-safety and deep coverage responsibilities
• Play Style: Instinctive ball-hawking safety built on range, awareness, and turnover production

Draft Projection & NFL Fit

Clark projects as a Day 2 to early Day 3 selection, most commonly in the Round 3–4 range, due to his elite production, experience, and coverage instincts at a premium position. His long-term starting experience, turnover history, and Senior Bowl invitation reinforce his standing as a mid-round safety with starting upside.

He fits best in zone-heavy or split-safety defensive schemes that allow him to play deep, read the quarterback, and attack passing lanes. Early in his career, he projects as a rotational free safety and special teams contributor with the upside to develop into a full-time starter in a coverage-oriented secondary.

Summary

Bud Clark is a highly productive, instinctive free safety with elite ball skills, strong football IQ, and extensive starting experience in a Power Five defense. He consistently impacts games through interceptions, pass breakups, and deep coverage awareness rather than elite physical traits. While his lean frame, durability history, and man-coverage ceiling create some projection limitations, his playmaking ability, leadership, and coverage instincts give him a strong floor as a rotational NFL safety with clear starter upside in a zone-based defensive system.

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