The Seahawks selected TCU safety Bud Clark with their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding a versatile playmaker to their secondary.
Clark, who was selected with the 64th overall pick, was a three-time team captain for the Horned Frogs and a two-time second-team All-Big 12 selection. Clark, who is 6-foot-1, 188 pounds, recorded 15 interceptions over the past four seasons, including four interceptions and a pick-six last season, and has the versatility to play safety or nickel corner, having played both of those roles in college.
"I'm versatile and I'm a ballhawk," Clark said on a conference call with reporters. "I'm getting to the ball every chance I get. I compete; I'm competitor always."
Clark added, "I've played safety, nickel and corner before… I can play multiple spots, but I'm going to leave it up to them. I'm trying to play everything they want me to play, really."
Clark expressed enthusiasm for playing for the defending champs and head coach Mike Macdonald, who he called, "the best defensive coach in the NFL."
He is also looking forward to joining a secondary that includes standouts like Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori, Julian Love, Josh Jobe and Ty Okada who helped lead the Seahawks to a title last season.
"It's a blessing, a dream come true," Clark said. "I get to help them boys in every way that I can."
Clark came to Seattle for a pre-draft visit with the Seahawks, and he left hoping he would get a chance to end up back in the Pacific Northwest.
"I've been wanting to play for them for the longest," he said. "… I felt like it was a home for me when I came out there, so it's a dream.
"I got to see a couple of bald eagles, that was something different for me. I could get used to it though."
On getting the call from the Seahawks, Clark said, "First, my heart dropped to my butt, honestly. It was a dream come true."
In addition to enjoying the idea of playing for the defending champs, not to mention the scenery on the shores of Lake Washington, Clark also likes the idea of playing for the Seahawks because he grew up patterning his game after Seahawks Legend Kam Chancellor.
"He always brought the pop," Clark said. "He was the hammer, not the nail, and that's what I try to do all the time I play."
Overview
A sixth-year senior, Clark's traits won't pop but his tape most certainly will. Clark is a coverage-versatile safety in a cornerback's body with the talent to range over the top or man up on the slot. He plays with an overriding desire to do everything all at once – which produces spectacular takeaways and occasional breakdowns – but the good outweighs the bad. He triggers downhill in run support and tackles with proper technique, but a lack of size could lead to broken tackles/durability concerns. He might need time to acclimate to the speed/skill of his opponents but his instincts and ball skills give him a good chance to punish mistakes on the next level as an alignment-flexible option.
The Seahawks selected 'college' 'position' 'player name' with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Check out the best photos for 'name' throughout the years.
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) looks upfield during an NCAA football game against SMU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) and cornerback Josh Newton (2) stand together during the second half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
TCU safety Bud Clark practices before an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
TCU safety Bud Clark practices before an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas State wide receiver Phillip Brooks (8) is tackled by TCU safety Bud Clark (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) and cornerback Josh Newton (2) react as they work out prior to an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU safety Bud Clark works out prior to an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) lines up on defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) celebrates with safety Kylin Jackson (19) after running an interception back for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) celebrates with the "iron skillet", after the team's win against SMU in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) gets tackled by TCU Horned Frogs safety Austin Jordan (1) and TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) defends during an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU safety Bud Clark (21) defends during an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in the Broad Jump at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
TCU defensive back Bud Clark (33) participates in the vertical jump during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
