2024 Rookie Profile: Jase McClellan- Running Back

Profile Overview

• College: Alabama
• Height: 5’10″
• Weight: 221 lbs.
• Age: 21 (June 25, 2002)
• Bench Reps: 20
• Year: Senior
• Draft Projection: 7th Round

College Career

Jase McClellan was a former four-star recruit from Aledo High School in Texas. He was a two-sport athlete, playing football and track. He was a slightly undersized player but had big production in high school. He finished four years in high school with 6685 rushing yards and 124 touchdowns. He committed to Alabama in December 2019.

McClellan would be buried in an elite Alabama backfield for a few seasons. He would have to sit behind the likes of Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr during his first two seasons in college. During his freshman season, he would only play in four games but would have over 90 rushing yards in two of them. During his Sophomore season, McClellan would play in the first five games but would injure his ACL and miss the rest of his 2021 season. He would split time early during that season with Brian Robinson, at least for the first three games. Unfortunately, that injury would ruin his chances to produce.

In McClellan’s junior season, he would split roles with Jahmyr Gibbs, with 112 carries to Gibbs 151 carries. He would have four games during that season, with over 70 yards as the backup in the backfield. It would be his most efficient season with a 5.8 YPC, and he would improve his run game. During McClellan’s final year, he would get the starting job and rush for 180 attempts. He only had four games over 80 yards, but he was impressive in Alabama’s playoff game. He would finish with 14 carries for 87 yards and two rushing touchdowns against Michigan.

Strengths

McClellan has some solid abilities as a running back prospect. He has reliable hands that have shown off in limited opportunities. He was also excellent in ball security, with just one fumble in over 350 carries in college. While his production wasn’t elite, he was good for a top-tier conference. He has a solid burst at the line of scrimmage. McClellan has shown the ability to make defenders miss, with 19 missed tackles. That stat led the SEC in 2023. He is an instinctive runner who can make adjustments on these runs.

Vision

McClellan is one of the underrated running backs in terms of vision. On the film, he shows solid ability to find the right hole on the line and attack. He shows off as a decisive runner in the backfield. His vision allows him to pick up extra yards that the defense offers him. McClellan’s vision should be able to get him on the field at an NFL level. He doesn’t have elite speed, so his vision is his best weapon as a running back.

Contact Balance

McClellan’s other very great trait is his contact balance on the field. He has shown the ability to take on contact well. He won’t be a runner who comes down easily by a defender. McClellan absorbs contact and continues to run well. He doesn’t allow arm tacklers to bring him down, as he keeps his distance from those tacklers. In the film, McClellan can lower his shoulder well and knock down defenders.

Weakness

For McClellan, a few key areas of concern make him a lower prospect. Overall, he isn’t elite in most of his traits. He is good or below average in most things. McClellan doesn’t have that long speed to make those big plays. He will get tracked down from behind by speedy defensive backs or linebackers. He isn’t consistent with getting to the outside on runs. As a pass blocker, McClellan needs some improvement to be used that way at the NFL level.

I am concerned about his durability when playing against bigger and faster players. He tore his ACL in 2021 and suffered a foot injury during his senior season. McClellan could handle massive workloads in high school but never saw that workhorse role at the college level. There is some hope in him as a pass catcher for the NFL level, but I did not see enough to know if he could be a true threat there. He would need to work on his route tree, as I did not see much of that work on film. I don’t think he’ll be a running back at the next level who could handle a workhorse role. I’m curious if he can ever show us at the NFL level if he could be a three-down back.

Dynasty Value/Draft Stock/Prediction

McClellan has some talent, but draft capital will mean everything to him. Based on this draft class, the running back position will likely fall in the draft, which means McClellan will likely be a late-day three pick. McClellan did have a top-30 visit with the Cowboys, which could be an interesting landing spot for him. I think places like the Giants, Cardinals, or Bucs would make some sense. He could easily become one of those day-three gems, but he must work to get there.

I don’t see many opportunities for McClellan to make noise on an NFL field early. He’ll likely be an RB3 for a team with a slight chance for a backup job. He would be a borderline fourth-round pick in rookie drafts. He is a solid player to attach to your taxi squad bench to see if he can develop at the NFL level.

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