Jase McClellan Bio
Jase McClellan, born on June 25, 2002, is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide before being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. After a brief stint in Atlanta, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in August 2025. McClellan is recognized for his role on Alabama’s College Football Playoff national championship squad.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 216 pounds, McClellan entered the NFL as a compact, power-style back. He is known for a bruising running style developed in one of college football’s most demanding programs. His professional career remains in its early stages as he works to establish a stable role at the running back position.
Early Life and Background
Jase McClellan was born on June 25, 2002, in Aledo, Texas, United States. He grew up in the small community west of Fort Worth, where high school football is a central part of local culture. His early athletic development was shaped by that environment, which produced numerous college prospects over the years.
McClellan attended Aledo High School, where he became one of the most productive running backs in Texas high school football history. During his high school career, he accumulated 6,468 rushing yards and scored 122 touchdowns, establishing himself as a standout recruit. His senior performances earned him an invitation to the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game, a marquee showcase for top high school talent.
Rated as a consensus four-star prospect, McClellan drew scholarship offers from major programs nationwide. He originally committed to the University of Oklahoma before ultimately flipping his pledge to the University of Alabama. The decision to join the Crimson Tide set the course for the next phase of his football career.
Path to American Football
McClellan’s path to collegiate stardom began at Aledo, where his rushing totals placed him among the elite backs in his recruiting class. The exposure from the Under Armour All-American Game confirmed his status as one of the top running backs in the country. His recruitment included interest from several top-tier programs before he committed to Oklahoma.
When McClellan changed his commitment to Alabama, he stepped into a program known for producing NFL running backs under head coach Nick Saban. The transition from a Texas high school powerhouse to the Southeastern Conference required physical and technical adjustment. He arrived in Tuscaloosa prepared to compete for carries in a crowded backfield.
McClellan’s first taste of major college football came as a true freshman during the 2020 season. He appeared in games for a Crimson Tide team that ultimately won the College Football Playoff national championship. The early exposure to high-level competition accelerated his development.
Jase McClellan Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
As a true freshman at Alabama in 2020, McClellan contributed to a championship roster, though his role was limited behind established veterans. He carried the ball 23 times for 245 yards and two touchdowns while gaining valuable experience within the Crimson Tide offense. The national title that season provided an early benchmark for what a successful Alabama program could achieve.
During his sophomore campaign in 2021, McClellan suffered a torn ACL that cut his season short after only five games. He finished the year with 40 carries for 191 yards and one touchdown, a reduced output that reflected both the limited schedule and the lingering effects of injuries. The setback tested his resolve but did not derail his long-term trajectory.
Alabama Breakthrough (2022-2023)
McClellan returned to action for the 2022 season, working his way back from the ACL injury and resuming his role in the Crimson Tide backfield. He showed signs of the form that had once made him a top recruit, including flashes of power between the tackles and reliability in short-yardage situations. His comeback season helped stabilize an Alabama running game that relied on multiple contributors.
Through his final college seasons, McClellan developed into a dependable rotational back for the Crimson Tide. His experience in the SEC and his familiarity with championship-level preparation positioned him for the jump to professional football. By the end of his Alabama tenure, he had been part of one national championship team and had logged meaningful snaps across multiple seasons.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024-2025)
The Atlanta Falcons selected McClellan in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 186th overall pick. He signed his rookie scale contract in May 2024 and reported to the team’s offseason program. As a late-round selection, he entered training camp competing for a reserve role behind Atlanta’s established running backs.
On June 17, 2025, the Falcons released McClellan, ending his time with the organization after one season. The move reflected the team’s evolving depth chart at the running back position. His release opened the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2025-Present)
On August 12, 2025, McClellan signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he sought to continue his professional career. The move placed him in a competitive camp situation with a franchise looking to build depth at the running back position. He joined a Buccaneers offense that had recently won a division title and featured experienced skill players.
McClellan was waived by Tampa Bay on August 26, 2025, as part of the league’s final roster cuts. The transaction was a procedural step tied to roster construction rather than a reflection of his potential. His professional journey remains ongoing as he pursues opportunities to contribute at the NFL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
McClellan is recognized as a compact, between-the-tackles runner with a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to tackle in tight spaces. His background in Alabama’s pro-style offense prepared him for a downhill running approach, with an emphasis on vision, patience, and finishing runs with physicality. He has shown reliability in pass protection and willingness to contribute on special teams, traits that often determine a backup back’s roster longevity.
Notable Events and Milestones
McClellan’s most prominent career milestone came as a member of Alabama’s 2020 College Football Playoff national championship team. His selection in the 2024 NFL Draft marked the next major step, validating his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered in 2021. The quick transitions between Atlanta and Tampa Bay in 2025 also stand as notable moments in his brief professional tenure.
Jase McClellan Career Wins
Jase McClellan’s competitive résumé centers on team achievements rather than individual award tallies. His most significant win came at the collegiate level, where he contributed to Alabama’s 2020 College Football Playoff national championship. At the professional level, his career wins are still developing as he works to secure a stable roster spot.
Alabama Highlights
During his time with the Crimson Tide, McClellan was part of a 2020 squad that captured the national title. He also contributed to multiple SEC regular-season campaigns and postseason appearances, helping the program maintain its place among the conference’s elite. His individual statistical totals at Alabama included 245 rushing yards as a freshman and 191 yards during his injury-shortened sophomore year.
Other Wins and Performances
At Aledo High School, McClellan helped his teams compile one of the most dominant rushing résumés in Texas, finishing with 6,468 career rushing yards and 122 touchdowns. He also earned an invitation to the 2020 Under Armour All-American Game, an individual honor that highlighted his place among the top high school players in the country.
Jase McClellan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Jase McClellan’s immediate family, including parents and siblings, are not widely documented in verified sources. His upbringing in Aledo, Texas, reflects a community deeply tied to football, which played a formative role in his athletic development. Any broader family lineage connected to sports has not been confirmed in available reporting.
Personal Life
McClellan has kept his personal life largely private, with no confirmed public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. His focus since entering the NFL has centered on his professional development as a running back. He continues to be recognized primarily through his on-field accomplishments and his connection to the Alabama football program.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional chapter for Jase McClellan. After spending the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons, he entered the new league year seeking a fresh opportunity. His release by Atlanta in June 2025 set up a quick pivot to Tampa Bay in August.
With the Buccaneers, McClellan joined a training camp group that was shaping the team’s running back rotation for the upcoming season. His performance through the preseason provided an opportunity to demonstrate the physicality and pass-protection skills he refined at Alabama. The decision to waive him as part of final roster cuts reflected the depth and competition Tampa Bay carried at the position.
Looking ahead, McClellan remains an NFL-caliber running back with starting-level college credentials and a championship pedigree. His path back to a roster will likely depend on opportunities created by injuries or further transactions around the league. The 2025 season, while turbulent, offers a foundation for future professional opportunities.