New York Jets release Ryan Clark Jr., son of former safety, under unusual circumstances
In the world of professional football, the journey from college to the NFL draft can be a rollercoaster ride, and that's exactly what Jordan Clark, the son of ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, experienced.
After spending six years in college, divided between Arizona State and Notre Dame, Jordan Clark declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. However, despite his impressive college career, which included being part of the Notre Dame defensive rotation that reached the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Clark went undrafted.
Undeterred, Clark signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets, a team now under new management with Darren Mougey as the general manager and Aaron Glenn as the head coach. The Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn regime has established a new standard in East Rutherford.
Unfortunately for Clark, he did not make the final roster of the Jets. The team, which is currently set at safety with veterans Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, and Isaiah Oliver, and added Alabama product Malachi Moore in the draft, decided to waive Clark.
The Jets have not specified whether they plan to re-sign Clark to their practice squad if he clears waivers unclaimed. The team has also released other players, including veteran linebacker Jamin Davis, quarterback Adrian Martinez, and running back Lawrance Toafili.
Jordan Clark, despite not hearing his name called in the NFL Draft, remains confident in his career prospects. He cites the success of undrafted players he has witnessed as a source of inspiration.
Clark's father, Ryan, a former NFL player who had a decade-long career, including winning Super Bowls and making Pro Bowls, will undoubtedly be a source of support and guidance for his son as he navigates this next step in his football journey.
Jerry Rice, who played during his peak years for the San Francisco 49ers, winning three Super Bowls with them and earning MVP honors in Super Bowl XXIII, is a testament to the fact that undrafted players can indeed make it big in the NFL. Jordan Clark will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rice and other successful undrafted players.
As for the New York Jets, they will be hoping to build a team that can challenge for the Super Bowl in the coming years. With their new management team and a promising draft class, they are certainly off to a good start.
