Charles Edward Clark Jr. Bio
Charles Edward Clark Jr. (born April 19, 1995) is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Clark has built a reputation as a durable and reliable presence in defensive backfields throughout his NFL career. He entered the league as a sixth-round draft pick in 2017 and has since developed into a capable starter with leadership qualities that earned him the role of defensive communicator during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens.
Throughout his career, Clark has demonstrated versatility at the safety position, contributing both in coverage and against the run. His ability to diagnose plays quickly and deliver physical tackles has made him a valued member of every roster he has joined. Following his time with the Ravens and New York Jets, Clark signed with the Steelers in 2025 and continues to be a productive player in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Clark grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, where he attended King’s Fork High School. During his high school years, he excelled in multiple sports, including American football, basketball, and track and field. As a safety, Clark was ranked as the 68th-best safety in the country by ESPN, the 145th-best player in his region, and the 34th-ranked player in the state of Virginia. His standout high school performance drew attention from college programs seeking athletic defensive backs.
Beyond football, Clark’s involvement in basketball and track helped develop the speed, agility, and coordination that would serve him well on the football field. His well-rounded athletic background reflected a competitive drive that translated into his eventual professional career.
Path to the NFL
Clark accepted a scholarship to play collegiately at Virginia Tech, joining the Hokies program from 2013 through 2016. He quickly established himself as a reliable defender, eventually starting in 40 of his 52 career games with the program. Over his four collegiate seasons, Clark accumulated 292 total tackles while developing the instincts and coverage skills necessary for the next level.
Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, Clark attended the NFL Scouting Combine and performed in positional drills as a cornerback. At Virginia Tech’s Pro Day on March 15, 2017, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and posted a 33.5-inch vertical jump. Despite these solid numbers, draft experts projected him as a sixth-to-seventh round pick. DraftScout.com ranked him as the 11th-best free safety prospect available. NFL analysts noted his reliability against the run and his ability to contribute in coverage, though some questioned his playmaking ability at the time.
Charles Edward Clark Jr. Career
Baltimore Ravens (2017-2022)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Clark in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the 17th safety drafted in 2017 and the first of four players from Virginia Tech selected in that draft class. On May 5, 2017, Clark signed a four-year contract worth $2.57 million with a $174,807 signing bonus. Throughout his rookie training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup safety and special teams contributor.
Clark entered the 2017 season as the third free safety on the depth chart behind veterans Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb. He made his professional debut on September 17, 2017, in the Ravens’ season-opening 20-0 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. His first career tackle came the following week during a win against the Cleveland Browns. Clark appeared in 15 games as a rookie, finishing with 13 combined tackles and two pass deflections.
His second season saw Clark earn his first career start on December 2, 2018, after Tony Jefferson sustained an ankle injury. The following week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Clark recorded his first career interception, picking off a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes intended for wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Ravens finished the 2018 season with a 10-6 record and clinched the AFC North title. Clark appeared in his first playoff game during the AFC Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Clark took over as the starting free safety for the remainder of the 2019 season after Tony Jefferson suffered a torn ACL. During that season, he was selected as the sole player with the communication headset in his helmet, responsible for relaying play calls from coaches to teammates on defense. In Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded a strip sack on Jimmy Garoppolo that was recovered by teammate Brandon Williams in a 20-17 victory. Clark also recorded an interception against Sam Darnold and the New York Jets that year.
On February 10, 2020, the Ravens signed Clark to a three-year contract extension worth $15.30 million, with $10 million guaranteed and a $5.50 million signing bonus. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities as a starting safety. During the 2020 season, Clark recorded his first sack of the year against Joe Burrow in Week 5 and recovered a fumble for a 65-yard touchdown in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. He also recorded an interception off Brandon Allen in the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the 2021 season, Clark recorded interceptions against Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, including a Pick Six, while adding seven tackles and three pass breakups in that game. By the 2022 season, Clark set career-highs in tackles, finishing second on the team with 101 total tackles and 61 solo tackles while leading the team with 40 assisted tackles.
New York Jets (2023-2024)
On March 15, 2023, the Ravens traded Clark to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. However, his tenure with the Jets got off to a difficult start when he suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities in June. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2023 season, and he was placed on injured reserve in July.
Clark returned to action in 2024 after signing a one-year contract worth $2 million with $705,000 guaranteed. Named the Jets’ starting strong safety to begin the season, he started 12 games and recorded 69 combined tackles, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one sack. His season ended on December 31 when he was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025-Present)
On July 25, 2025, Clark signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made 15 regular-season appearances, including five starts, and recorded 51 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble. Clark’s addition brought experience and defensive versatility to a Steelers secondary that valued his leadership qualities and on-field communication skills.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Clark is known for his physical style of play and his ability to diagnose offensive formations quickly. His strengths lie in run support and tackling, which has allowed him to remain a consistent performer against opposing ground games. His experience as the defensive communicator at Baltimore demonstrated his football intelligence and ability to orchestrate coverages effectively. Teams have valued his reliability and durability over the course of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Clark’s most notable career moments is his first career interception against Patrick Mahomes during the 2018 season, a play that came in a high-profile matchup against one of the league’s top quarterbacks. His selection as the Ravens’ defensive communicator in 2019 marked a significant leadership role typically reserved for veteran players. His 65-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against Indianapolis in 2020 showcased his ability to make game-changing plays when given the opportunity.
Charles Edward Clark Jr. Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Clark has accumulated 504 career total tackles across his time with the Ravens, Jets, and Steelers. His defensive contributions include 5 interceptions, 37 pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive touchdowns.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Baltimore Ravens | 15 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 73 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 2020 | Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 88 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 | Baltimore Ravens | 17 | 85 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | 17 | 101 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | New York Jets | 0 (IR) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | New York Jets | 12 | 69 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 15 | 51 | 0 | 0 |
Charles Edward Clark Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no publicly available information about Clark’s parents or family background in terms of racing lineage, as this section refers to athletics rather than motorsports. The biography focuses on his football career and achievements.
Personal Life
Clark is married to his wife, Aysha. Together they have four children: born in 2019, born in 2022, and twins born in 2025. Clark has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the football field while continuing to focus on his career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
During his debut season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, Clark appeared in 15 regular-season games with five starts. He recorded 51 combined tackles while contributing three pass deflections and one forced fumble. The Steelers utilized Clark’s versatility by deploying him in various defensive back roles throughout the season.
His experience proved valuable for a Steelers defense that continued to emphasize physicality and communication in the secondary. While the exact playoff picture and team standings evolved throughout the season, Clark’s steady presence added depth to the safety position. His ability to contribute on special teams and as a situational defender made him a reliable rotation player for the coaching staff.