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 Missouri State QB Jacob Clark.
No. 12 Jacob Clark/QB Missouri State – 6047, 230 pounds (Seventh-Year Senior)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Jacob Clark 6047/230 10 32 1/2 77 7/8
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
THE GOOD
– Prototypical size with big hands
– Experienced player with command of offense, makes checks and calls at line of scrimmage
– Timing/rhythm thrower best over the middle
– Throws a catchable ball and has accuracy on vertical sideline throws
– Gamer and mentally tough, with short-term memory and bounces back from mistakes
– Made plays in clutch and late in game, rallying from slow starts
– Acceptable pocket movement to buy time
– Good upper-body mechanics with quick release
– Stands tall in the pocket and is willing to take a hit
– Bit of experience working under center
The Bad
– Weak arm, especially relative to frame
– Struggles to drive ball, allowing defenders a chance to close and make plays on ball; willing to throw into tight windows, but physical traits don’t always allow it
– Pocket passer unable to escape from pressure and sitting duck in pocket, leading to sacks
– Sideline throws on curls/comebacks are inaccurate and too often to inside shoulder
– Prone to missing zone defenders trapping and baiting throws
– Inconsistent moving to next read and can lock onto targets
– Accuracy wanes during pressure and while on the move rolling out
– Had the advantage of age/experience in college, which will be equalized at the NFL level; old prospect even for a QB
Stats
– Career: 884 attempts (67.1 percent), 8,120 yards with 64 TDs and 19 INTs across 31 games (29 starts); 202 rushing yards and 4 TDs, along with one reception for 29 yards
– 2025: 391 attempts (65.2 percent), 3,338 yards with 28 TDs and 11 INTs (13 starts); 0 rushing yards and 3 TDs, along with one reception for 29 yards
– 96 career sacks (90 in past two seasons, 49 in 2025 – tied-most in FBS)
– Threw one pass at Minnesota, a 39-yard completion
– 2.82 second career snap to throw time (2.86 in 2025)
– PFF’s No. 37 overall QB grade among 108 qualifying 2025 passers (No. 30 passing grade, No. 77 rushing grade)
– 6.2 percent “big time throw” percentage in 2025, 15th among qualifiers
– 6,232 passing yards and 60 touchdowns in HS career (3,295 yards, 31 TDs as senior)
Injury History
– 2023: season-ending right shoulder surgery (AC joint) four games into season after taking a hit on a run; considered rehab/returning, but consulted with doctors and opted for surgery, and received medical redshirt
– 2025: suffered left leg injury against Western Kentucky after being hit diving for goal line, on crutches and missed following game against MTSU; returned the next game
Bio
– Turns 26 in November 2026
– Three-star recruit from Rockwall, Texas (born in Kansas, moved to Texas during HS career)
– Spent 2019-2022 at Minnesota, 2023-2025 at Missouri State
– Chose Minnesota over Cal; had offers from Purdue, Iowa, Syracuse, and other similar programs
– Committed to Minnesota because he loved his unofficial visit and HC P.J. Fleck
– Earned his MBA at Missouri State
– Father, Jason, played college basketball while mother, Andrea, played basketball and runs marathons
– High school teammates with WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who once caught 14 passes and over 200 yards from him in a shootout playoff loss to No. 1 Allen HS)
– Considered leaving Missouri State after 2024 (admits he was “pretty close” but opted to stay)
– Named American Bowl MVP
– 2024 finalist for Walter Payton Award (FCS Heisman), losing to QB Tommy Mellott
– Grew up playing football and basketball, but knew football was his path
Tape Breakdown
Jacob Clark spent three years hardly seeing the field at Minnesota before transferring to FCS Missouri State, which in turn made the jump to Conference USA and the FBS level in 2025. As a starter, Clark led them to a 6-6 record and a bowl game loss.
On paper, Clark looks the part. He’s tall and built, with big hands. He’s experienced with sound upper-body mechanics. Clark throws catchable passes and shows touch and accuracy on go-balls.
He’s at his best working over the middle of the field with timing and structure. A true pocket passer.
Clark displayed command and authority over the offense, making checks and calls at the line.
What I like best about Clark is difficult to quantify or show in a clip. He’s a tough “gamer” quarterback who isn’t bothered by anything that goes wrong mid-game. Throw a pick against USC? He came back and threw a touchdown on the next drive. The same story played out in other games, too. Clark’s teams often got off to bad/slow starts but rallied in the second half. He took sack after sack and got beat up in the pocket, but didn’t shrink from the moment. He’s physically and mentally tough. Hard to put a price on that.
On the negative side, Clark has a weak arm. Despite his great build, there’s little zip or velocity to truly drive the football. Defensive backs can make plays on the ball because there just isn’t much on his throws.
Clark’s accuracy is just okay. While he shows touch downfield, he struggles with crossing patterns and comebacks/curls, often putting the ball to the inside shoulder and allowing the defender a chance to make a play on it. He’s also prone to missing zone defenders, who can jump routes and make plays on the ball.
Clark has little athleticism and foot speed. He’s a sitting duck in the pocket and sacked – a lot. His offensive line wasn’t great, but being taken down 90 times the past two years, he simply can’t escape the rush.
Conclusion
Overall, Jacob Clark is a well-built and experienced pocket passer with touch on his throws. He’s competitive, gritty, and a true gamer. But a lack of physical talent, coupled with his college benefit of being in his mid-20s against teenagers/young-20s, something that won’t exist at the NFL level, makes him hard to love.
He’s a poor man’s Will Howard. Not as athletic and didn’t show off against as quality competition. My official NFL comp is Sean Mannion.
NFL Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Steelers Depot Grade: 6.1 (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 5.5-6.5
Games Watched: at USC (2025), at Liberty (2025), at Kennesaw State (2025), vs Arkansas State (2025 – cutup)
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