Notre Dame Had A Clear Vision For Transfer Defender Jordan Clark

Notre Dame knew exactly why it wanted transfer Jordan Clark, and what role he would play in the Irish defense

Notre Dame has dipped into the portal to load its nickel position in each of the last two offseasons, and the Irish staff is hoping its latest portal nickel is as good as the first. 

After bringing in Thomas Harper from Oklahoma State to play nickel last season, the Notre Dame staff went after Arizona State standout Jordan Clark to play that same spot this season. The Irish coaching staff did their research on Clark’s time in the Sun Devil secondary. When he got to campus for his visit, they showed him film of him and Harper side by side to show him how they see his role for the Fighting Irish.

"They had it all set up to show why I fit in their defense,” Clark explained. "It wasn’t like they were coming to get me because I was a guy in a position of need that had hit the portal; they wanted to let me know that it was specific to me, like I fit the role. That attention to detail and them really knowing me, having really studied and watched my film, showing me how I fit here, that meant everything to me. That and Coach Golden having been in the NFL, all the knowledge I can take from him here, it was a no-brainer.

"(Harper’s) game and mine kind of mirror each other a little bit,” Clark continued. "He’s a savvy football player; I have a great deal of respect for him and what he was able to do on the defense last year. It’s definitely a role I see myself being able to make plays in as well.”

The 5-10, 185 pound defensive back played good football for the Sun Devils in 2024, but he also was not fully healthy for the majority of the season. Clark suffered a deep quadriceps contusion in Arizona State’s second game of the season, but he never missed a game.

"It swelled up,” Clark recalled. "I had to get 300 CCs of blood drawn out of my leg towards the end of the year. It was a nagging thing for sure. I wasn’t really healthy for the majority of the year, but ultimately, I think if you can play, you should play. I was able to make it happen. It’s not an excuse for anything, but I wasn’t healthy for a majority of last year. I’m excited to be healthy this year.”

The love of football is what Clark says kept him on the field and playing through injury in 2023. It was also another factor in bringing him to Notre Dame to finish his college career.

"I love this,” Clark exclaimed. "This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life, and I think having an opportunity to do it, I don’t want to waste any games. I don’t want to waste any opportunities I have to go out there and play, especially with my brothers. There were guys on that team that I was never going to play with again, so if I can play, I’m always going to play. I’m going to compete. I’m delusional honestly; I think whether I’m 40%, 30%, I’m going to win.”

If Clark makes the impact he wants, and the Irish staff thinks he can make he'll play a key role in the Notre Dame defense once again being one of the nation's best.

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