The Bucs already have have an embarrassment of riches at the running back position with 1,000-yard running back Bucky Irving, all-purpose back Rachaad White and third-string running back Sean Tucker, who could start for some NFL teams. But the Bucs signed yet another running back on Monday in Jase McClellan, given the groin injury that White suffered in Sunday’s 29-7 win over the Titans in the preseason opener.

McClellan was drafted by Atlanta out of Alabama in the sixth round (186th overall) in 2024. He did not see any action during his rookie season and was put on injured reserve in December with a knee injury. The Falcons released McClellan on June 17.

Newcomer Owen Wright led the Bucs with 87 yards rushing and a touchdown on Saturday night, but sat out Monday’s practice due to soreness. Wright logged 18 carries and also had two touchdown runs called back due to penalties, in addition to catching two passes for four yards.

While undrafted free agent running back Josh Williams returned to practice on Monday after missing two weeks due to a hamstring injury, the Bucs want to make sure they have enough running backs heading into Pittsburgh where the Bucs will be facing the Steelers in a joint practice on Thursday and the second preseason game on Saturday night. Only Irving, Tucker and Williams practiced on Monday.

Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: USA Today

Bucs Sign RB Jase McClellan

New Bucs running back Jase McClellan starred at Alabama. At 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds, McClellan flashed big-play ability as a freshman, rushing 23 times for 245 yards (10.7 avg) and two touchdowns, plus one catch for one yard. His 2021 campaign was cut short by an ACL injury, though he still posted 40 carries for 191 yards (4.8 avg), one rushing touchdown, and contributed 10 receptions for 97 yards and three receiving scores.

Returned and ready in 2022, McClellan elevated his role: appearing in 13 games and rushing for 655 yards on 112 carries (5.8 avg) with seven rushing TDs, and adding 14 catches for 174 yards and three more scores, tallying a total of 10 touchdowns that season.

Bucs RB Jase McClellan – Photo by: USA Today

In his senior year in 2023, stepping into the lead-back role, he again played in 13 games (12 starts), carrying 180 times for 890 yards (4.9 avg) and eight touchdowns. He also hauled in 15 receptions for 137 yards.

Across his Alabama career, McClellan amassed 1,894 rushing yards on 341 carries (5.6 avg), 16 rushing touchdowns, along with 38 receptions for 398 yards and six receiving TDs. His  nearly 2,300 total scrimmage yards and 22 total touchdowns was enough to catch the NFL’s attention and the Falcons drafted him in the sixth round in 2024.

McClellan totaled 24 rushing attempts for 97 yards (4.0 avg) with one touchdown in the preseason last year for Atlanta. He also had three catches for 24 yards with a long of 11 yards for the Falcons.