Player Bio
McClendon’s uncle, Willie, set the Georgia rushing record in 1978 (1,312 yards) before Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker came along to break it. Willie also backed up Walter Payton with the Chicago Bears for four years. Warren’s cousin, Bryan, was a receiver at Georgia and interim coach between the departure of Mark Richt and hiring of Kirby Smart. McClendon played both tackle spots and center at Brunswick High School in Georgia, earning first-team all-state honors as a senior. The four-star recruit redshirted in 2019, playing in four games as a reserve, and then started nine of 10 appearances at right tackle in 2020. He started all 15 games for the national champions in 2021 and then earned first-team All-SEC accolades in 2022 as the repeat champs’ starter at right tackle in 13 of 14 appearances. McClendon was injured in the January 15 car wreck that claimed the lives of Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and Georgia recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. McClendon, a passenger in the fatal car crash, required stitches to the head. — by Chad Reuter
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst
Draft Projection Round 5
Overview
A three-year starter and two-time national champion, McClendon has been a hardworking team leader at Georgia. His intangibles, however, are countered by a lack of ideal size, length and athleticism as either a tackle or a guard. McClendon needs to get stronger and will always have issues finding success too far away from home base, but he works to the whistle and has enough pass protection savvy for multi-positional consideration as a backup.
Strengths
- Plays with consistent effort and toughness.
- Might offer three-position flexibility.
- High football IQ and knows where he needs to be.
- Squeezes into teammate’s hip on double teams.
- Works hard to keep pass rusher in front of him.
- Plays with ready hands and an efficient punch.
- Solid anchor drop to reinforce the pocket.
Weaknesses
- Can’t count on quickness or power as an advantage.
- Plays with tall pads and narrow base.
- Defenders able to slip away from sustain tries.
- Sluggish feet limit his overall range.
- Change of direction in space is lacking.
- Gets beaten to his pass punch by length.
- Galloping heel-clicker in slides to meet speed.