Jalan McClendon (born October 21, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Initially committing to NC State and serving as a backup quarterback, he played his final year of college football with the Baylor Bears football program. After spending some time in the offseason with both the Baltimore Ravens Washington Redskins, McClendon was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats, where he backed up Josh Johnson at quarterback, until the cancellation of the 2020 XFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![]() McClendon with the Vegas Vipers in 2023 | |
No. 17 – DC Defenders | |
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Position: | Quarterback |
Personal information | |
Born: | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | October 21, 1995
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight: | 219 lb (99 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | West Mecklenburg (Charlotte, North Carolina) |
College: | NC State (2014–2017) Baylor (2018) |
Undrafted: | 2019 |
Career history | |
| |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Roster status: | Active |
Early years
editMcClendon attended West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing quarterback for the team, as well as playing some high school basketball.[1] During McClendon's junior season, he threw for over 1,700 yards and amassed 22 passing touchdowns. In McClendon's senior season with West Mecklenburg, he was vital to leading his high school to the North Carolina 4AA state playoffs, leading his school to a 9–3 record, while adding 1,700 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns.
Graded out as a 3-star quarterback out of high school by Rivals.com,[2] and as a 4-star quarterback by On3.com,[3] and by 247Sports,[4] McClendon received multiple offers and visits from Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, East Carolina, Florida State, Miami (FL), NC State, and Virginia, before ultimately committing to the NC State football team on May 15, 2013, and signing his letter of intent on February 5, 2014.[5]
College career
editNC State
editIn 2014, McClendon redshirted to preserve his future eligibility.[6]
After Florida transfer quarterback Jacoby Brissett took over the starting quarterback job in 2014,[7] and true freshman quarterback Jakobi Meyers redshirting 2015 and undergoing knee surgery,[8] McClendon played 7 games for NC State as the backup quarterback to Brissett.
Following the 2015 season, Brissett graduated and was selected in the 3rd round of the 2016 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.[9][10] This opened up a quarterback competition between McClendon and Myers,[11] with Boise State quarterback transfer Ryan Finley joining the NC State football team in 2016.[12][13] McClendon was able to beat out Myers in the quarterback competition, forcing Meyers to start playing the wide receiver position.[14][15] However, Finley would win the starting quarterback job, and McClendon for the second season in the row served as the backup quarterback for the NC State football team.[16] McClendon saw more action at quarterback in 2016, scoring his first passing and rushing touchdown in college during September game against the Old Dominion Monarchs,[17] and seeing playing time in 10 games in 2016 at quarterback.[6]
With Finley fully entrenched as the starting quarterback of the NC State, McClendon only appeared in 3 games, and only attempting 3 passes. Following the 2017 season, McClendon graduated from NC State, and transferred to Baylor to play quarterback for the team,[18][19] with one year of college football eligibility left,[20] and due to Finley being granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA.[21][22]
Baylor
editBrought in to compete for the starting quarterback job for Baylor in 2018, McClendon competed with returning starter Charlie Brewer in the spring, with Brewer ultimately winning the starting job, but McClendon still seeing action at quarterback for the team.[23][24][25] McClendon saw his first start at quarterback on November 3, 2018, against Oklahoma State. Despite McClendon's best efforts, Baylor trailed 24–14 in the 3rd quarter, which lead to head coach Matt Rhule to bench McClendon in favor of Brewer. Baylor would come back from behind, and win on a Charlie Brewer touchdown pass to Denzel Mims with 7 seconds remaining.[26] McClendon would not receive another start in 2018, and remained as the backup quarterback for the rest of the year, playing occasionally in 9 games in 2018.[27]
Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | INT | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
2014 | NC State | 0 | 0 | – | Redshirted | ||||||||||
2015 | NC State | 7 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 57.1 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 98.5 | 5 | 11 | 2.2 | 0 | |
2016 | NC State | 10 | 0 | 16 | 30 | 53.3 | 176 | 1 | 4 | 86.9 | 35 | 145 | 4.1 | 2 | |
2017 | NC State | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 114.3 | 6 | 67 | 11.2 | 0 | |
2018 | Baylor | 9 | 1 | 55 | 91 | 60.4 | 715 | 3 | 3 | 130.7 | 34 | 102 | 3.0 | 2 | |
Career [28] | 29 | 1 | 81 | 138 | 58.7 | 977 | 4 | 7 | 117.6 | 80 | 325 | 4.1 | 4 |
Professional career
editHeight | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in (1.94 m) |
222 lb (101 kg) |
32+7⁄8 in (0.84 m) |
9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) |
4.82 s | 1.68 s | 2.73 s | 4.40 s | 7.09 s | 31.5 in (0.80 m) |
9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) | ||
All values from the Baylor Pro Day[29] |
McClendon went unselected in the 2019 NFL draft.[30][31]
Baltimore Ravens
editOn May 13, 2019, McClendon was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent.[32][33][34] However, on May 17, 2019, McClendon and defensive tackle Kalil Morris were waived and subsequently cut from the Ravens to free up roster spots for Shane Ray and Michael Floyd.[35][36]
McClendon worked out with the New York Giants on July 27, 2019, but was not offered a contract by the team.[37]
Washington Redskins
editOn August 11, 2019, McClendon was signed by the Washington Redskins after Josh Woodrum was placed on injured reserve for a torn pectoral muscle.[38][39][40] McClendon received playing time during the preseason, but completed only 4 out of 10 passes attempted for 16 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.[41] On August 31, 2019, McClendon was cut by the team as part of the final cuts to get to the 53-man active roster limit.[42]
Later that week, the New York Giants worked out McClendon, but was once again not offered a contract by the team.[43] On September 23, 2019, the Green Bay Packers brought in McClendon for a workout, but was not offered a contract by the team.[44]
Los Angeles Wildcats
editOn October 7, 2019, McClendon was one of many quarterbacks included in the draft pool of the 2020 XFL revival.[45][46] On October 16, McClendon was drafted by the Los Angeles Wildcats during the Phase 5: Open Draft section.[47]
Prior to the Wildcats' first season, McClendon made the team as a backup quarterback for the team leading into their first career game. In the Wildcats' first ever game against the Houston Roughnecks, thanks to an injury to presumptive starting quarterback Josh Johnson going into the game, and an injury to Chad Kanoff, the quarterback that started the Wildcats' first ever game after a big hit, McClendon made his professional football debut, going 1 for 4 (25%) passing, no passing yards, and threw an interception.[48][49][50][51] During the Wildcats' week 3 game against the DC Defenders, McClendon took over at quarterback, recording a 3-yard rush. McClendon would record no other stats for the remainder of the season,[51] and the XFL shut down operations and laid off all employees after week five of their inaugural season.[52][53][54]
Vegas Vipers
editOn November 15, 2022, McClendon was selected by the Vegas Vipers of the XFL during Phase 0 of the 2023 XFL Draft. The Vipers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[55]
DC Defenders
editOn January 15, 2024, McClendon was selected by the DC Defenders with the sixth overall pick in the Super Draft portion of the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[56] He signed with the team on January 22.[57]
Career statistics
editYear | League | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
2020 | XFL | LA | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 |
2023 | XFL | VEG | 2 | 2 | 34 | 54 | 63.0 | 423 | 7.8 | 3 | 0 | 105.7 | 21 | 87 | 4.1 | 0 |
References
edit- ^ "Jalan McClendon's High School Basketball Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon, 2014 Pro Style Quarterback - Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon - Scouting Profile". www.on3.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon, NC State Wolfpack, Pro-Style Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon Timeline Events". 247sports.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Jalan McClendon - 2017 - Football". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Connelly, Bill (June 12, 2015). "What NC State needs to be an ACC dark horse". SBNation.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jakobi Meyers - 2018 - Football". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "What teams has Jacoby Brissett played for, and what is his net worth?". September 22, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ AlecLower (April 9, 2016). "Spring Game Observations". Backing The Pack. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Webster, Danny. "Ryan Finley Transfers to NC State: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Former Boise QB Finley will transfer to NC State". ESPN. May 16, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jakobi Meyers made a self-deprecating Google search when switching positions". www.boston.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jakobi Meyers - 2018 - Football". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, Terry P. (July 16, 2017). "Top 50 Countdown: No. 34 NC State Wolfpack". The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "McClendon to Transfer Following Graduation". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Former NC State QB Jalan McClendon transferring to Baylor". Yahoo. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Baylor Football QB Jalan McClendon Gives 100% on & off the Field". KWKT - FOX 44. August 13, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ryan Finley - 2018 - Football". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Taylor, John (August 24, 2016). "NCAA grants NC State QB Ryan Finley another year of eligibility". NBC Sports College Football. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Kempt one of Big 12's oldest QBs". Times Republican. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "2017 Rewind: First Look at the Baylor Quarterbacks". BearsIllustrated.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "10 things to know about Baylor QB Charlie Brewer: From pro football friends to Dallas sports obsession". Dallas News. July 15, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Football Rallies to Top Oklahoma State on Homecoming". Baylor University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon - Football". Baylor University Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Jalan McClendon College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "2019 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bill-in-Bangkok (August 11, 2019). "Who is Jalan McClendon, the UDFA quarterback just signed by the Redskins?". Hogs Haven. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (May 13, 2019). "Ravens Sign QB Jalan McClendon & G Patrick Vahe". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (May 13, 2019). "NFL Transactions: Monday 5/13". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Former Baylor QB Jalan McClendon signs with Baltimore Ravens as undrafted free agent". Dallas News. May 13, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (May 17, 2019). "Ravens Waive QB Jalan McClendon & DT Kalil Morris". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (May 17, 2019). "NFL Transactions: Friday 5/17". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (July 27, 2019). "NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ http://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Redskins to workout quarterbacks after Josh Woodrum tears pec". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|last=
- ^ Bouda, Nate (August 11, 2019). "Redskins Sign Three, Cut Two, Place QB Josh Woodrum On IR". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Redskins sign former Baylor quarterback Jalan McClendon". Riggo's Rag. August 11, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Jalan McClendon Stats | Los Angeles Wildcats | The Football Database". The Football Database. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ Ulrich, Logan (August 31, 2019). "Redskins Officially Cut 34 Players". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Ulrich, Logan (August 31, 2020). "Giants Trying Out Four Players Including C Jon Halapio". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (September 23, 2019). "Packers Worked Out Four Players". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (October 7, 2019). "Early List Of Players Included In XFL Draft Pool". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "XFL DRAFT POOL". www.xfl.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Perry, Mark. "XFL Open Draft Tracker, Phase #5 (All Remaining Players)". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Fucillo, David (February 16, 2020). "Report: Josh Johnson making progress to play on Sunday for LA Wildcats". DraftKings Nation. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "XFL Week 1 scores, updates, highlights: Defenders beat Dragons, Roughnecks rout Wildcats". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Los Angeles Wildcats fall to Houston Roughnecks in XFL opener". Los Angeles Times. February 9, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Jalan McClendon 2020 Gamelogs | The Football Database". Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ D'Andrea, Christian (April 10, 2020). "The XFL just shut down and declared bankruptcy". SBNation.com. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "XFL files for bankruptcy after shutting down operations because of the coronavirus". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "XFL to suspend operations, 2021 season unlikely". Chiefs Wire. April 10, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Rachuk, Stephan (January 15, 2024). "2024 United Football League (UFL) Super Draft Tracker". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "The UFL Agrees to Terms with 61 Players". UFLBoard.com. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.