From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on TCU safety Bud Clark.
#21 BUD CLARK/ S, TCU (RS SENIOR) – 6007, 188 pounds.
Combine Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Bud Clark 6007/188 9 31 1/2 N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.41 1.56 N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’07” 38 N/A
The Good
— Good height and solid weight
— Leader; 3-year captain in college
— Versatile, aligned primarily in slot or deep safety
— Very good speed and athleticism
— Good route awareness and closes on the ball quickly
— Good tackler as last line of defense
— Capable in man or zone
— Can manage all types of receivers in the slot
— Excellent ball skills; try to make every pass contested
— Willing run defender
The Bad
— Will get moved by QB’s eyes when deep, shading too quickly to one side
— Takes chances for pass breakups that can lead to bigger plays
— In man coverage, will open his hips too soon
— Hand placement taking on blocks
— Aggressiveness downhill leads to late coming to balance and missed tackles
— Doesn’t recognize lateral blocks near the box|
— Angles to the sideline when near the line of scrimmage can be too shallow
— Multiple seasons with multiple games missed
Stats
— 61 games/44 starts
— Career: 214 tackles, 138 solo, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 15 INT for 112 yards, 2 TD, 19 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF
— 2025: 56 tackles, 31 solo, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 INT, 25 yards, 1 TD, 6 PBU
— 2024, 2025: Second team All-Big 12
— 2022: Honorable Mention All-Big 12
— Team captain (2023, 2024, 2025)
— Senior Bowl invitee
— Had a career high 13 tackles versus West Virginia in week eight of 2025
— Recorded his first career sack versus Baylor in week seven
Injury History
— 2025: Missed final two regular-season games vs Houston and Cincinnati with an undisclosed injury
— 2025: Left the BYU game in the first half after making a tackle
— 2022: Missed the first three games with an injury
— 2021: Missed final seven games with injury
Background
— Four-star recruit
— Rated No. 13 overall player in Louisiana and No. 31 safety in the country
— Also lettered in baseball at Alexandria High School
— Has a son named Kenzo, who is his biggest motivation
— Has a passion for football and life
— Wants to support kids who are growing up in a similar situation to his
Tape Breakdown
Bud Clark is a sixth-year defensive back of good height and adequate weight, along with solid arm length and hand size. He is versatile, spending most of his time between playing the deep safety on the field side and as a slot corner.
When playing the deep safety, he has the athleticism and speed to play as a split safety or as the post. He has a good mental process and a good understanding of routes. He has a good range and acceleration to get to the sideline throws. On the underneath zone coverage, he displays good route awareness and is quick to click and close on the ball. As the last line of defense, he is a good tackler who plays under control and wraps up ball carriers.
When playing in the slot, he displays a good backpedal and loose hips along with a good change of direction to match the receiver’s break. He showed the ability to match up with smaller, quicker slot receivers to tight ends and those in between.
His ball skills and hands are very good, and he has the instincts to get his hands in the catch basket. Even when balls are completed against him, he turns them into contested catches.
Against Iowa State, he had a pair of interceptions.
As a run defender, he is not afraid to stick his face in the fan. He is helpful on the edge or filling inside and flows to the ball well. He will either use a cut or wrap tackle to get down the ball carrier.
As the deep safety, he will jump the quarterback’s eyes, shading too far in one direction, and can be moved out of position. He will take chances to get under the route in front of him, which can lead to bigger plays.
In man coverage, he will open his hips too soon, causing him to play catch-up.
When taking on blocks, his hand placement and strength are marginal, leading him to be slow getting off blocks. Coming downhill versus the run, he can be too aggressive, not come to balance, and give up the outside. Additionally, he doesn’t recognize lateral blocks coming from his side and gets pinned inside.
Conclusion
Overall, Clark is a versatile defender of good height and adequate weight. He played mostly as a deep safety or in the slot and is well-versed in man and zone coverages. His speed and range are excellent, with very good ball production. He is a willing run defender and a good tackler near the line of scrimmage or as the last line of defense.
Areas to improve include not drifting with the quarterback’s eyes too soon, not opening his hips too quickly in man coverage, and improving his technique when taking on blockers. Coming to balance and block recognition will help him in the run game.
This draft has a talented group at the safety position. Who teams like will all depend on what they want their safety to do. Clark’s athleticism, speed, and ball skills will make him valuable to a team looking for someone who can play the post as well as line up as the slot defender in a man or zone coverage defense.
There is the issue of games missed, which teams would have to do their homework on. Missing multiple games in three different seasons is noteworthy.
For a player comp, I’ll go with Tarvarius Moore. He had similar speed and athleticism, along with the ball production, while playing deep or in the slot.
NFL Projection: Late Day Two/Early Day ThreeSteelers Depot Grade: 8.5 MED (Long Time Starter)Grade Range: 7.7 – 8.8Games Watched: 2025 – Vs SMU, At Arizona State, vs Iowa State, At BYU, Vs USC
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