TK McLendon Jr. Bio
Tonyist Karnez McLendon Jr., commonly known as TK McLendon Jr., is an American professional football defensive end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 275 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played his college football at Eastern Kentucky after earlier stops at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and LSU. As a rookie, he appeared in seven games and made two starts during the 2023 NFL season.
Early Life and Background
Tonyist Karnez McLendon Jr. was born on February 27, 1999, in Soperton, Georgia, a small community in Treutlen County. He grew up in the same region and attended Treutlen County High School in Soperton, where he developed into a college-level defensive prospect. His size and athleticism allowed him to play along the defensive line from an early stage of his development.
Coming out of high school, McLendon was not immediately recruited to a major Division I program. Instead, he took the junior college route, enrolling at Copiah-Lincoln Community College for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. That two-year stretch gave him the experience and physical development needed to attract attention from larger programs and prepared him for a transition to the Southeastern Conference level.
Path to American Football
After his time at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, McLendon transferred to Louisiana State University, where he played for the LSU Tigers during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. His time in the SEC exposed him to a higher caliber of competition and further developed his pass-rushing technique and run-defense fundamentals.
McLendon then moved to Eastern Kentucky University, where he played for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. At Eastern Kentucky, he continued to refine his game and built the resume that eventually earned him a chance in the NFL. His college journey through three different programs reflected a steady, step-by-step climb toward the professional ranks.
TK McLendon Jr. Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
McLendon’s first two college seasons came at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi, where he played from 2017 through 2018. Those years gave him the foundation to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision level and showcase his skills against stronger competition.
In 2019, McLendon joined LSU and spent two seasons with the Tigers. Although he was part of a deep defensive line rotation, the experience of practicing and competing in the SEC helped shape the player who would later attract NFL scouts.
Eastern Kentucky Breakthrough (2021-2022)
McLendon transferred to Eastern Kentucky for the 2021 season, joining the Colonels of the ASUN Conference. He played two seasons for Eastern Kentucky, working as a defensive end and continuing to add size and experience to his game. His performance at the FCS level helped put him on the radar of NFL teams following the 2022 season.
Coming out of Eastern Kentucky, McLendon was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his combine measurables and college tape were strong enough to earn him an opportunity as a free agent. His path from a small-town high school in Soperton, Georgia, through three college programs, demonstrated persistence and steady improvement.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023-Present)
The Tennessee Titans signed McLendon as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, marking his entry into the NFL. His initial stay on the active roster was brief, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts. The Titans quickly brought him back on the practice squad, keeping him in the organization as he continued to develop.
On November 18, 2023, McLendon was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. He went on to appear in seven games for the Titans during his rookie season, including two starts. That experience gave him his first real taste of regular-season NFL action and confirmed he could compete at the professional level.
McLendon was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, an early-season setback that interrupted his development with the Titans. The injury kept him out for a significant stretch and required patience during his recovery process as he worked toward returning to the field.
Driving Style and Strengths
McLendon plays with the frame and length typical of an NFL defensive end, using his size to hold up against the run while working to develop as a pass rusher. His path through multiple college programs suggests a player who adapted to different schemes and coaching staffs, building versatility along the defensive line. Continued physical development and refinement of technique will be central to his growth with the Titans.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of McLendon’s professional career came on November 18, 2023, when he was elevated to the Tennessee Titans’ active roster for the first time. His seven-game rookie appearance, including two starts, marked his official arrival in the NFL after going undrafted. The subsequent placement on injured reserve in August 2024 represented the first major obstacle of his young career.
TK McLendon Jr. Career Wins
As a young defensive end in the early stages of his NFL career, McLendon has not yet accumulated headline individual awards or championship trophies. His on-field production has been measured in opportunities, starts, and developmental reps with the Tennessee Titans rather than in major career honors. The next phase of his career will focus on turning those opportunities into consistent production and team success.
Other Wins and Performances
McLendon’s most significant performance to date came during the 2023 season, when he appeared in seven games and made two starts for the Tennessee Titans. Those appearances represented his first sustained NFL action and gave the Titans a developmental look at a young defensive end with SEC and FCS experience.
TK McLendon Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McLendon grew up in Soperton, Georgia, in Treutlen County, where he attended Treutlen County High School. He is American by nationality and has built his football career through the small-town roots of his home region.
Personal Life
McLendon is professionally known as TK McLendon Jr. and is currently focused on his football career with the Tennessee Titans. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, and family life beyond his upbringing in Soperton, Georgia, are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, McLendon’s primary objective will be returning to full health after being placed on injured reserve in late August 2024. A successful recovery and return to the active roster would mark a major step in his development as a Tennessee Titans defensive end.
With the Titans continuing to evaluate young talent along their defensive line, McLendon has an opportunity to carve out a consistent role if he can stay healthy and build on his two-start rookie experience from 2023. His combination of SEC-level experience at LSU and FCS play at Eastern Kentucky gives him a varied background that the Titans coaching staff can lean on.
The 2025 campaign represents a pivotal year for McLendon, as he moves from a developmental reserve into a position where meaningful snaps and production are expected. How he responds coming off injury will be a key storyline for both the player and the Tennessee Titans organization.