Zakoby McClain (born March 7, 2000) is an American professional football inside linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Auburn.

Zakoby McClain
Personal information
Born: (2000-03-07) March 7, 2000 (age 24)
Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Valdosta
(Valdosta, Georgia)
College:Auburn (2018–2021)
Position:Inside linebacker
Undrafted:2022
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-SEC (2021)

Early life

edit

McClain attended Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Coming out of high school, McClain was a 4-star prospect. He was ranked the 13th best outside linebacker prospect and 24th best prospect from the state of Georgia. McClain committed to Auburn over LSU, Tennessee and many other programs.[1][2][3]

College career

edit

McClain played very little his freshman season. As a sophomore, McClain became a full time starter, and in the 2019 Iron Bowl against rival Alabama, he had a 99-yard Pick Six that helped propel the Tigers to a 48–45 upset.[4] In his junior season, McClain led the nation in total tackles with 113.[5][6] In his senior season, McClain was named to the Second-team All-SEC Team.[7] On December 27, McClain announced he would skip Auburn's bowl game and enter the NFL draft.[8]

Professional career

edit
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+38 in
(1.81 m)
228 lb
(103 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.65 s 1.63 s 2.75 s 4.59 s 7.40 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
21 reps
Sources:[9][10][11]

Baltimore Ravens

edit

McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft.[12] He was waived on August 30.[13]

New Orleans Breakers

edit

McClain signed with the New Orleans Breakers on January 7, 2023.[14] The Breakers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[15]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

edit

On January 30, 2024, McClain signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[16] He was released on August 15, 2024.[17]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Zakoby McClain, Valdosta , Outside Linebacker". 247Sports. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. ^ "Zakoby McClain Recruit Interests". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Davis, Derrick (November 29, 2017). "War Eagle: Valdosta High linebacker Zakoby McClain commits to Auburn". Valdosta Daily Times. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Green, Tom (November 22, 2021). "Two years after his Iron Bowl moment, Zakoby McClain is still running". AL.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  5. ^ Green, Tom (August 9, 2021). "Zakoby McClain hungry for more after leading nation in tackles last season". AL.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Zakoby McClain College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ "2021 All-SEC Football Team Announced". SEC Sports. December 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  8. ^ McVeigh, Griffin (December 26, 2021). "Auburn Tigers linebacker declares for 2022 NFL Draft". On3. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Zakoby McClain Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Zakoby McClain NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Auburn LB". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  11. ^ "2022 NFL Draft Scout Zakoby McClain College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  12. ^ King, Nathan (April 30, 2022). "Auburn LB Zakoby McClain signs with Ravens as undrafted free agent". AuburnUndercover & ITAT. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Mink, Ryan (August 30, 2022). "Ravens Make Roster Cuts to 53". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  14. ^ @USFLBreakers (January 7, 2023). "Free Agent Signing" (Tweet). Retrieved January 7, 2023 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  16. ^ "Roughriders sign LB Zakoby McClain – 620 CKRM". www.620ckrm.com. January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  17. ^ "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings". CFL.ca. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
edit