South Atlanta News

Finding Falcons is a series that ventures beyond Atlanta's decision to draft a specific player and reveals the rationale behind those choices. Exclusive interviews with Falcons position coaches, area scouts, and top decision-makers detail the moments that solidified their decisions for each member of their 2024 draft class. This week, Jase McClellan's loyalty and patience take center stage.

Flowery Branch, Ga. – It took three years for Jase McClellan to become "the guy" at the University of Alabama.

He waited his turn to be the featured back in an offense that spotlighted plenty of first-round talent in the backfield. First, it was Najee Harris; then Brian Robinson; and finally Jahmyr Gibbs.

As these players gained recognition year after year, McClellan—a four-star recruit who was the No. 6 running back in the 2020 recruiting class—waited patiently. He studied and trained while awaiting his chance to shine.

In today's college football landscape, McClellan's story of loyalty to a program is increasingly rare. In an era dominated by transfer portals and lucrative NIL deals, McClellan did what many top-ranked recruits find difficult: he waited.

Prior to his senior season in 2023, McClellan had only started five games for the Crimson Tide. He made the most of his carries as a role player—his seven touchdowns and 5.8 yards per carry in 2022 attest to that—but he wasn't yet "the guy."

And he could have been. With his talent, teams across Power 5 football would have eagerly recruited him if he ever left Alabama.

However, that wasn't McClellan's path. When the NFL Draft claimed his backfield running mates, McClellan stepped up to lead Alabama’s rushing attack outright. In his 12 starts, he rushed for 890 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

Falcons southeast area scout Shepley Heard took note as he watched McClellan work over the years with little national media attention.

"You noticed him when he got the ball last year," Heard said. "But now he's finally a starter...the focal point at running back for that offense."

What stood out to Heard was McClellan's steadiness—a quality invaluable in the backfield.

"You trust that guy," Heard said. "Alabama can get their pick of running backs... But when it comes down to those tough yards...Jase has been one of those guys."

Falcons running backs coach Michael Pitre also saw promise in McClellan’s physicality on tape despite limited opportunities.

"When evaluating the running back position," Pitre stated, "it's not always about stats but passing the eye test."

Pitre emphasized that consistency throughout a game is key: "You watch [McClellan] inflict his will on other teams over a full game."

This aligns with the Falcons' established running style featuring Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson over recent seasons. Pitre aims for runners who become more challenging to tackle as games progress—traits seen in both Allgeier and now potentially McClellan.

Allgeier never shies away from contact and values ball security; similarly, McClellan fumbled just once during his college career—a trait highly valued by scouts like Heard.

"He's always there," Heard said on draft night when they selected McClellan in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. "You can trust him...I'd trust Jace in short yardage situations."

McClellan’s special teams experience also adds value under new kickoff rules being implemented in 2024—though even if not utilized there immediately, he's prepared to wait again for opportunities just as he did at Alabama.

Heard concluded confidently: "He's going to do whatever is asked of him... He's going to work hard...study…train...do things right."

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