Last week, spring football returned to the University of Alabama.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to repeat as national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We have reached our third running back profile, and this one is on Jase McClellan.
Jase McClellan
-Classification: Sophomore
–Position: Running Back
-Hometown: Aledo, Texas
-Height: 5-11
-Weight: 212 pounds
-Strengths: Speed, vision, quickness, explosiveness, athleticism, footwork
-Weaknesses: Lack of game reps
–Summary: He did not have a spring to showcase his talents in 2020, Jase McClellan impressed Alabama fans with his acceleration and athleticism at the running back position during the season.
A native of Aledo, Texas, McClellan played in all 13 games for the Crimson Tide. He saw most of his action on special teams; however, he recorded marquee rushing performances versus Kentucky and Arkansas. The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder turned in the fourth-most rushing yards by an Alabama in a debut against the Wildcats. McClellan totaled 99 yards with one touchdown on 10 carries, as the Tide cruised to a 63-3 victory. He showed his explosiveness three weeks later on the road versus the Razorbacks.
McClellan had six carries for 95 yards — including an 80-yard burst for a score.
As a former four-star recruit, he was responsible for 6,468 career rushing yards and 122 touchdowns at Aledo High School.
McClellan brings speed, vision, quickness, footwork, and explosiveness to the Tide’s running back room. He finished the 2020 campaign with 245 yards rushing on 23 carries. Despite not getting a lot of reps last year, McClellan made the most of the situation and is looking forward to having more of an impact next season. Fans are excited to see him make huge strides this spring, and possibly turn in a stellar performance in the A-Day Game. Alabama has seven backs on its roster — six for the spring — but McClellan has the capability to make a big noise. He had to fight for opportunities as a freshman, and Robert Gillespie knows a lot about this as the Tide’s running backs’ coach. He shared responsibilities with Ernest Graham at the University of Florida.
McClellan also displayed his pass-catching traits in high school, totaling 28 receptions for 429 yards and three scores.
Bill O’Brien will find ways to get him involved. McClellan is a big talent who looks to put his stamp on Alabama’s offense.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
