Arizona State transfer DB Jordan Clark commits to Notre Dame
On Monday evening, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman checked a big box on his offseason agenda. Arizona State graduate transfer defensive back Jordan Clark committed to Notre Dame, he announced on social media.
“I wanted to spend my last year somewhere where I could grow as a student athlete, and I don’t think there’s anywhere better for me to do that than ND,” Clark told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “I’m going to play in an NFL defense surrounded by some off the best players in the country. Being coached by guys whose attention to detail is second to none in a building where everybody is dead set on not just getting to the playoff but winning. Not to mention all of the tradition, and history that ND has already. It really doesn’t get any better than that.”
Clark is a nickel back, which was a position of need need for the Irish this offseason. Thomas Harper, Notre Dame’s starter this season, will run out of eligibility after the Sun Bowl on Dec. 29.
Clark was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class, being listed as the No. 387 overall prospect and the No. 38 cornerback according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He attended Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab, the same school that produced Notre Dame freshman linebacker Jaiden Ausberry.
Across 11 games of the 2023 season, Clark posted 50 stops (1.5 for loss) and 9 pass break ups. His 2022 campaign was strong, totaling 47 tackles on the year and 6 pass break ups. Clark allowed just a 40.0 completion percentage in Cover 0 or Cover 1 — good for 23rd in the FBS, according to thesundevils.com.
Clark redshirted as a freshman in 2019 and played in the shortened 2020 season, which did not count towards his eligibility per the NCAA’s ruling. He played more than four games in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons, making him a sixth-year player in 2024.
He entered the transfer portal Nov. 30. It’s Blue & Gold’s understanding that he arrived in South Bend Saturday afternoon for a two-day official visit.
“This is insane for me to even write, but I just want to say thank you,” Clark posted Nov. 30 to announce that he was entering the transfer portal. “My time here has been without a doubt the best years of my life. Through everything that has happened, Tempe has become home for me. Through every adverse situation and personal battle, I’ve moved closer and closer to the man I’ve always wanted to become.
“Thank you to every teammate that I’ve had here; the memories that we’ve made are moments I’ll cling to forever. Thank you to all the coaches that poured into me while I’ve been here … Your energy and efforts have helped me evolve as a man as well as a player. And finally, thank you to Arizona State University and Sun Devil nation. Every time I laced ’em up, I gave you all that I had.
“With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left.”
He’s the son of former NFL defensive back and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, who played for four teams during his career that spanned from 2002-14. He was a 2011 Pro Bowl selection and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII (2008-09 season).
Over the summer, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman appeared on Clark’s podcast, which can be seen on YouTube here.
