Razorback Safety's Path from Walk-On to Team Favorite

Hudson Clark provides stability in a unit full of transfers and new faces on Hogs' defense

Author:
Daniel Shi
Publish date:
Sep 6, 2023 12:43 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Recruiting stars and portal madness are king in 2023 college football. The son of Razorback alumni, when senior defensive back/safety Hudson Clark stepped on campus in 2019, he had no stars. He didn't even have a scholarship. Now in his fifth season, Clark is a leader and a vital part of the Razorback secondary.

"He's so smart," coach Sam Pittman said after Saturday's win over the Western Carolina Catamounts. "He knows everything... He's a guy you can just count on. I'm really proud he's on the team. He's one of the most popular guys on the team; everybody loves him and you would too. He does everything right."

Clark had to earn every bit of playing time he got. After not seeing the field at all in 2019 as a true freshman, an injury to Montaric Brown allowed him to crack the starting rotation. If first impressions are everything, Clark couldn't have done any better if he tried. In just his second start, Clark intercepted Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral three times during a 2020 clash with the Rebels en route to a 33-21 victory.

The ensuing Monday morning, Pittman revealed that Clark would be put on scholarship and finished the 2020 season fifth on the team in tackles. Fast forward 3 years later, Clark has racked up 21 starts and become a constant presence in the Hog secondary that is heavily revamped through the portal.

There’s a lot of new faces (and) new transfers and so going into this year," Clark said. "I think we had to build a brotherhood out of nothing, We have done that especially with the coaches helping us. We’ve grown really close together and so that translates to the field with communication and kind of playing off each other.

To go along with his on-the-field prowess, which has seen time at corner, nickel and safety at various points, Clark has become a leader that the entire defense can look up to.

"He's a guy to learn from," freshman linebacker Brad Spence said "See how he plays his role and how he plays his football. As a freshman, I just look to learn from the older guys.

His playing accolades aren't too shabby either, Clark has racked up 136 tackles in his time as a Razorback. He has also reeled in SEC Freshman of the Week honors and was named First-Team All-SEC in 2022 by USA Today.

Despite a 56-13 win where the defense forced five turnovers (including Clark's fifth career interception) and held the Catamounts to just 227 passing yards, Clark is still not satisfied with the performance of the secondary and knows that there is plenty of work to be done.

"I think it definitely helped us have a place to build on," Clark said. "We weren't perfect, we got a lot to improve on as a secondary. We're headed in the right direction; we just have to keep working."

The Razorbacks have their home opener in Razorback Stadium against Kent State at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network and fuboTV .