Seeking offensive line help in the draft, the Los Angeles Rams found it with offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr.. They selected the standout Georgia tackle with the 174th overall pick in the fifth round, solidifying their offensive line after previously drafting Steve Avila in Round 2.
McClendon was an all-conference player for the Bulldogs and helped them win back-to-back national championships as their starting right tackle. He may not have prototypical length for an offensive tackle, but he adds valuable depth at the position and could even transition to guard if needed.
Here are five things to know about McClendon.
1
He had an offer from Alabama after his freshman season in high school
McClendon was on Nick Saban’s radar for a while, going all the way back to his freshman season at Brunswick High School in Georgia. According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, McClendon’s first offer was from Alabama, coming after his freshman year. McClendon wound up being a four-star recruit and had offers from Auburn, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee, in addition to Alabama and Georgia, opting to join the Bulldogs in 2019.
2
He has two uncles who played football at Georgia
McClendon comes from a football family. His uncle, Willie, played running back at Georgia, setting the school record in 1978 with 1,312 rushing yards. That record went on to be broken by Herschel Walker, but Willie was later drafted by the Bears in the third round in 1979 and backed up Walter Payton.
McClendon had another uncle, Tyrone, who played defensive tackle at Georgia.
3
He didn’t allow a sack in the last two seasons
Perhaps the most impressive stat from McClendon’s career with the Bulldogs is this one: He didn’t allow a single sack in the last two seasons, according to PFF. It’s not like he was a reserve playing against Division II pass rushers, either.
He played 822 snaps in pass protection and didn’t give up a single sack on his quarterbacks. He barely let them get hit, allowing just three QB hits in the last two seasons with 13 total hurries allowed.
4
He was voted All-SEC in 2022
Coaches paid McClendon some high praise last season, his final at Georgia. He was voted All-SEC for his performance in 2022, an honor that fellow draftees O’Cyrus Torrence and Darnell Wright also earned along the offensive line. He was one of six Georgia Bulldogs to be voted first-team All-SEC selections.
5
He was a passenger in the fatal car crash that killed his Georgia teammate
On January 15, McClendon was a passenger in a car crash that claimed the lives of his teammate, Devin Willock, as well as recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. McClendon fortunately escaped the accident only needing stitches in his head, but it was a tragic day for the entire Georgia program.
Willock was also McClendon’s roommate and good friend, making it a considerable loss in his life.
