Louisiana DB Bud Clark commits to Virginia
A month ago, Louisiana defensive back Bud Clark had commitment on his mind.
The three-star hybrid cornerback/safety named a lead group of LSU, TCU, Ole Miss, Virginia and Colorado, with visit plans to Baton Rouge and Fort Worth before a scheduled May 3 commitment date.
Those plans changed in a serious way when Clark took an official visit to Virginia on April 5 and committed on Tuesday.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
"I was following my heart and that's what I was thought when I was younger. I really wanted to go to Virginia."
"The official visit was amazing. Everyone was so positive -- and it wasn't just the coaches, but the players, too. I got to see another point of view and the coaches pointed out that I could be that way, too, if I was there."
"Virginia showed me love, like actual love, communicating with me. I had a better bond with them more than other schools, especially Coach Ricky Brumfield and Coach Nick Howell. They called me and would send me quotes, explain the quotes about ask about my dad and my family. I felt like they were really going out of their way to talk to me and ask me about football and my family."
"I really like it over there. I'm gonna play cornerback and safety, and if I mess up the staff isn't gonna tear me down. They're gonna build me up with constructive criticism and help me to get better."
"My recruitment is shut down. I'm following my heart. I'm from Louisiana so everyone thinks I should go to a Louisiana school, but I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and I'm doing so to be different."
RIVALS REACTION
Virginia hit the jackpot a year ago when it nabbed a commitment from three-star Baton Rouge running back Mike Hollins. The Hoos are following a similar blueprint with a highly intriguing defensive back prospect in Clark for the 2020 cycle.
Clark plays quarterback and safety for Alexandria (La.) High School and is still getting his feet wet on the defensive side of the ball. Last summer at LSU's elite camp, he earned an offer and flashed a ton of promise with his ability to cover and use his great size (6-foot-2) and speed.
With 4.5 speed, Clark is one of the better defensive backs in The Boot for 2020. He corralled three interceptions playing in only a handful of games as a junior last season. Clark shows great anticipation for the ball and is a threat to score every time he touches the rock. He naturally high-points the football and gives opposing wide receivers fits in coverage over the top.
He's a natural center fielder, but can also step into the box as another run defender. Clark plays with a chip on his shoulder and can deliver big hits and can tackle well in the open field.
At quarterback, Clark demonstrates a ton of coveted traits such as lateral quickness and the ability to make would-be tacklers miss in the open field. He's a natural playmaker that will help Virginia in the secondary and in the return game.
Virginia is one of a handful of Power 5 teams making inroads in Louisiana and a commitment from Clark over the likes of LSU and TCU demonstrates as much.