Nick Saban, Alabama land Aledo star running back Jase McClellan in signing day switch
Aledo 4-star running back Jase McClellan announced that he flipped his commitment to the University of Alabama. He signed his national letter of intent with the Crimson Tide during the early signing period Wednesday night.
McClellan had been committed to the University of Oklahoma since July 2017, the summer before his sophomore season.
“Nick Saban is a great coach. It was very difficult for me especially with my relationship with coach Lincoln Riley since I was committed for a long time,’’ said McClellan, who made the switch on Tuesday. “It’s a great feeling. Alabama is one of the best teams in the nation and I’m trying to be one of the best players.”
According to 247Sports, McClellan was visited by Bama assistant coach Karl Scott in April. Then the Aledo star recruit made an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa in June. He went on an official in November.
Saban also made the trip to Aledo on Dec. 10 to visit the McClellan family.
“It was a great experience and I spent some time with the coaches and players,” McClellan said. “Saw the environment and what SEC football is like.”
“When he sent me a text about Alabama and what was going on and how crazy it was, I knew that OU might be in a little bit of trouble,” Aledo coach Tim Buchanan said.
In four years, McClellan has rushed for nearly 6,500 yards and 122 touchdowns. He has 1,268 yards rushing and 27 TDs this season as Aledo (14-1) is playing in the Class 5A Division II state championship vs. Fort Bend Marshall at 11 a.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
The Bearcats are playing in their 11th state title game and going for their ninth championship, which would be a UIL 11-man record. It’s McClellan’s fourth trip to state. He won in 2016 and 2018 and was voted state title game offensive MVP both times.
According to 247Sports, McClellan holds 22 offers, 19 from a Power Five school. Others include Texas, Wisconsin, Baylor, Georgia, Penn State, Texas A&M, LSU and Oklahoma State.
He’s ranked as the No. 8 RB in the country, No. 6 overall player in the state and 43rd best player in the nation, per 247Sports.
McClellan quickly became one of best players during his freshman season when he rushed for over 1,500 yards and 20 TDs. He was named to the 5A all-state team and was MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year.
“Jase is a special young man and a great athlete. I didn’t care where he went, I’m just glad he finally made a decision,” Buchanan said. “With the type of running back he is, Alabama is a great spot for him.”
He rushed for 28 TDs as a sophomore then exploded for over 2,000 yards and 47 TDs last season as a junior and was named Fort Worth Star-Telegram offensive player of the year.
McClellan wouldn’t be the first player from Dallas-Fort Worth to flip commitments from OU to Bama this year.
Denton Ryan 5-star linebacker Drew Sanders, ranked as the second-best athlete in the nation, signed his NLI with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday. Sanders de-committed from OU and committed to Bama in April.
Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class is ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 2 in the country.
McClellan becomes the 17th 2020 recruit to sign with the Crimson Tide while nine others are hard commits. He’s also the third from Texas, which also includes Galena Park North Shore offensive tackle Damieon George. They also have the No. 1 defensive end in the nation in 5-star Chris Braswell (Baltimore).
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 5:51 PM.
