Coach | Notre Dame Getting A Good One In Jordan Clark

Andy Martin sees the fit between Jordan Clark and Notre Dame as a good one.

“I think they're getting a good player,” Martin says of the Irish landing the defensive back from Arizona State through the transfer portal.

Martin, who is now the head coach of University Lab High School, served as Associate Coach and defensive coordinator during Clark’s time at the perennial power in Baton Rouge. 

“He knows the game very well,” Martin says of Clark. “I think he's going to be technically sound. He's going to come in and be a leader too and work hard. You want a guy who can assimilate into the culture that you have and I think he's going to be able to do that.”

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder is being brought in by Notre Dame to play the Nickel role.

“I think his cover skills and his ability to be physical in there is going to help him,” says Martin. “I think he's a good tackler. He's not afraid to put his hat down in there and make a tackle. I think those things will help him in that Nickel spot, especially his cover skills. Just being able to come down in there and be a guy who can tackle but also cover.”

Clark is the son of ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, the former LSU and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back who also spent time in the League with the Giants and Redskins. 

“I think that's huge,” Martin says. “I think he can talk to his dad about many things that he's seen. His dad's been through it. Obviously his dad's played high-level college football and in NFL, so has seen a lot of things that he can help him with and talk to him about that just allow him to have a little bit more of a jumpstart than maybe the regular kid.”

University Lab produces high level prospects every year, including current Irish freshman linebacker Jaiden Ausberry. Martin also sees a general fit between the two schools.

“I think we have kids who are academically sound, who are good kids, not off-the-field problems. I think that's what Notre Dame's looking for. I think they're looking for kids who can handle the academic part of it and they're going to be able to, like I said, assimilate into the culture that they're trying to build there.”

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