Jordan Clark's Gritty Passion Finding Home at Notre Dame
The Transfer Portal makes some cringe as coaches and players abuse the process in every collegiate sport.
Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman have found a middle ground with the portal as the program isn’t going crazy with it regarding additions. The staff looks at it as a way to fill needs while also adding depth if the fit is right.
In fact, Notre Dame has needed a nickel the last two years and found two impact players in Thomas Harper last year and then Jordan Clark this season.
Clark has Notre Dame’s second-highest PFF grade on the defensive side of the ball of players who have taken more than 200 snaps this fall.
The Louisiana native has every reason to be focused on preparing himself for a shot at the NFL, but he’s more dialed into helping the team reach the College Football Playoff.
“We’re just doing our job,” Clark stated. “Just taking it week by week. The gravity of our destiny, winning out and doing this or that, we don’t really focus on that. It’s just about winning every game week to week. Being 1-0. When you go into things with that mindset, things are less daunting. It’s just win one game at a time.”
One could say Clark has thrived at Notre Dame as he’s become a key player for Al Golden. How did that happen? Well, it starts with health as Clark battled the injury bug a year ago to the point he could barely get out of bed.
“It’s amazing,” said Clark. “It’s such a blessing to be healthy at this point in the season. A lot of guys have bumps and bruises and are playing beat up, but I feel really good. I’m blessed to be in a good spot right now. Coming off the bye, I feel really good right now. It’s a blessing to be healthy and I’m definitely feeling it when I go out there and play.”
Clark missed just one game in 2023 as he gutted it out for his team. Many players would have missed a game or two, if not more, but the reason Clark played through the pain is why he’s having success in South Bend.
“I love this,” explained Clark. “I love my teammates. If I can figure out a way to get out there and play, whether I’m 100 percent or 45, I feel like I owe that to the people in the building. I owe that to the people who have given me an opportunity to play college ball. This is my dream.
“When I get out there, regardless of who I line up across, whether I’m 100% or at 45, I feel like I’m better than them. I feel like I prepare more, and I’m where I’m supposed to be. If you go out there and you feel like you’re going to lose, you already lost.”
There is no better example of being a team player than the Louisville game. In the second half, All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison left the game with an injury and Clark moved outside to play a position he hadn’t taken game reps in all season.
Now, there was some familiarity with the cornerback from the past, but outside of a few reps in practice, Clark hadn’t worked outside in years.
“I played it early on in college,” Clark said. “I played it some at practice just knowing that guys were banged up. It was something that Coach Mick (Mike Mickens) had prepared me for. Obviously, not thinking that it’s actually going to happen. But that’s what happens when you have great coaches who look ahead and make sure they plan for everything. They called it to where I knew what I was doing where I was comfortable out there. We were able to kind of plug a hole.”
Clark also had a learning experience during the Louisville game as he was caught headbutting Cardinals receiver Chris Bell. Bell had allegedly spit on Clark the drive before, but the 5-foot-10, 181-pounder knows he can’t lose his temper as it only hurts the team.
“After he spit in my face, I told the official,” Clark recalled. “Coach Free told the official. I guess he said that he didn’t see it and he didn’t do anything about it. Ultimately, that’s out of my control. Football’s a very physical game. I have ample time between the whistle to figure things out and handle things that way. That’s what I’ll do next time.”
The moment will serve as a lesson for Clark as he looks to finish his time at Notre Dame on the right note.
“It’s been everything and more,” said Clark. “The games that we’ve been able to play in, the expectations, the adversity that we’ve had, it’s everything that I could have hoped for. I came here to grow, and I think I’ve been in situations that have really just promoted that in every way.
“I’ve been able to grow and learn from so many experiences, wins, failures. Ultimately, it’s amazing and I can’t wait to keep it going.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Under Armour White Notre Dame Fighting Irish Infinite Elite Running Shoes
