Jase McClellan has excited fans for years running and catching the football, first as an Aledo Bearcat and then as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Now, he has a chance to continue to do so at the highest level.
The standout running back was taken in the sixth round of the National Football League Draft this past Saturday, April 27, by the Atlanta Falcons. He is believed to be only the second Bearcat ever drafted.
"Very happy for Jase to get the opportunity to play in the NFL. There is always a sense of community and program pride when you see one of the young men from Aledo play at the college level, and now the whole town of Aledo will get an opportunity to follow one of our own at the highest level of football in the NFL," Bearcats coach Robby Jones said. "I’m going to get a Jase McClellan Falcons jersey, and I bet there will be a few more running around the town of Aledo."
Jones was the offensive coordinator when McClellan became one of the nation's premier high school players for Aledo. During his career, he had 6,468 rushing yards and 122 touchdowns, helping the Bearcats to state championships in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
He was also selected to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game.
The only other Bearcat believed to have been drafted into the NFL was offensive tackle Kirk Johnson. After a career at Howard Payne, he was also taken in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, a search online indicates Johnson never officially made the Eagles' roster.
Jones noted that in his 24 years at Aledo, several other players have signed with teams as free agents, but none made the roster. They include Kyle Hix, who was with the New England Patriots for a couple of training camps, but injuries kept him off the field.
Record-setting running back Johnathan Gray went to rookie camp with the New York Giants. However, he didn’t get the chance to make a comeback from his college injuries at the University of Texas.
Offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga was in training camp this past year with the Green Bay Packers and then the New Orleans Saints but didn’t make the roster. He is currently playing with the San Antoino Brahmas in the United Football League.
After being selected, McClellan held an online press conference through the Falcons.
With Atlanta already loaded at the running back position with the likes of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, McClellan's best opportunity to play may be on special teams. He said he has no problem with that as long as he is given a chance to show his capabilities.
"That's something I've worked on since being a freshman at Alabama," he said.
As for joining the already plentiful running back crew, McClellan added, "I think it's a great opportunity to learn and work with some great running backs and get better."
McClellan is no stranger to waiting. While at Alabama he patiently played behind the likes of Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs before becoming the premier back himself as a senior.
"They're getting an all-around good player," McClellan said. "Somebody coming in ready to work."
With McClellan on the roster, Alabama posted a 49-6 record in four seasons, which included a 13-0 record and national championship in 2020.
McClellan's college career included 44 games played, 355 carries, 1,981 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes for 409 yards and six touchdowns, including a long reception of 65 yards.
As a sophomore, he recorded three touchdowns in three different ways against Mercer, the first Bama player to do so since 2013. On special teams, he picked up a blocked punt and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown, rushed for a TD and caught a TD pass.
That same season, in his first career start for the Tide he rushed 12 times for 97 yards and caught a 9-yard touchdown. His season was cut short after five games due to an injury.
He returned as a sophomore to rush for 655 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns.
As a senior, helped Alabama reach the College Football Playoff again this season.
In the 27-20 overtime loss to Michigan in the semifinals at the Rose Bowl, McClellan led all rushers. He gained 87 yards on 14 carries and scored both of Alabama's touchdowns.
McClellan solidified his starting position as a senior at Alabama this season. He led the team in rushing with 180 carries for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 137 yards with a long reception of 42 yards.
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