Packers rookie defensive tackle Chris McClellan will likely spend this spring and summer carving out a role in Green Bay’s defense.
McClellan, 6-foot-4 and 323 pounds, could prove to be a key cog in new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s run defense, after being chosen in the sixth round of last month’s NFL Draft by the Packers.
Chris McClellan already hearing from Packers’ Josh Jacobs
One way for McClellan to fast-track his way into starter-caliber snaps will be making a big statement against Josh Jacobs and the Packers’ starting offense, wshen given the opportunity to during the upcoming practices of OTAs, minicamp, and training camp this summer.
According to McClellan, he’s already hearing some strong words of encouragement from Packers star running back — and former rushing champion, Josh Jacobs.
“He was the first player to reach out and text me and just congratulate me,” McClellan revealed, via the team’s official website. “He’s always somebody to look up to with him being from Tulsa and me being from Tulsa, so being on the same team with him now is just crazy.”
McClellan arrives after producing 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 133 total tackles across four seasons at Florida and Missouri. He says that Jacobs has been a constant source of encouragement in recent weeks.
“It’s time to get to work and come in and use this blessing to my advantage,” McClellan said. “Because not a lot of people are fortunate enough to make it out of the area that we come from. He was just saying like, don’t take it for granted and come out here and work like every day your last.”
