2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bud Clark (DB – TCU)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at TCU defensive back Bud Clark.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bud Clark

Bud Clark (DB – TCU)

6-foot-2 | 190 Pounds

Background

Bud Clark was a four-star recruit who played very sparingly in 2020 and 2021 (137 total snaps) before eventually earning the starting nickel position about halfway into TCU’s Cinderella 2022 campaign, finishing the year with 45 tackles, five breakups and five interceptions (and one touchdown).

Reprised that role in 2023 (33 tackles, six breakups, three interceptions) before becoming more of a traditional safety in 2024. Totaled 67 tackles, three breakups and three interceptions that season. Clark followed that up with 56 tackles, seven breakups and four interceptions (including one pick-six) in 2025.

Positives

Tall, highly productive four-year starter with experience all over, primarily as a nickel but also from the box, and increasingly as a high safety. Active pre-snap communicator. Has quick feet to backpedal to depth. Doesn’t always play like it from a technical standpoint, but has good flexibility in his body.

Shows good deep speed to carry receivers down the seams or provide help over the top. Maintains good sight lines in zone coverage. One of this draft’s premier ballhawks, with 15 career interceptions and 21 breakups to his credit. Length and leaping skills put him in-phase more often than he appears to be. Anticipates throws and aggressively drives on spots, with clean transitions from his backpedal and a good closing burst to undercut routes.

Willing to come down and stick his nose in to defend against the run. There’s a bit of physicality to him as a hitter as well. Uses his length to play off of blocks, with some violence in his hands. Has become a more reliable tackler, with good length and the presence of mind to break down in space.

Negatives

Older than your typical prospect after spending six years in school. Clark’s frame is very thin, and he will likely be asked to gain additional bulk, especially if he’s projected as a safety. Doesn’t show much contact balance when taking on blocks. Can be put on skates at times.

Willing to pitch in when needed in run support, but doesn’t have a lot of stopping power. Reliability as a tackler has waxed and waned throughout his career. A bit high in his backpedal to high zones; technique and pad level in general can be a bit lackadaisical at times.

Probably not the ideal choice to mix things up with tight ends in man coverage. Didn’t see him play single-high much (more robber duties/two-high), and he has almost no experience as an outside cornerback.

Summary

One of the most productive defensive back prospects in the class, Clark is a tall, lanky prospect who does a good job of anticipating and aggressively driving on spots in coverage, with strong ball skills.

However, Clark is a bit of a positional tweener at this point, as his frame is a bit thin and he doesn’t have a ton of experience as a high safety or almost any as an outside corner. Tools and production could get him into the early third day of the draft, although he’s not quite the polished product you’d expect given his six years in school.

Projection: Round 4/Round 5