CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, TNT XFL 2023
ACQUIRED: IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Jalan McClendon has taken an interesting path to playing professional football.
• Played sparingly at QB for NC State from 2014-’17 and then at Baylor in 2018.
• Undrafted, Jalan spent time in the camps of the Ravens and Redskins, and then did workouts with the Giants and Packers- all in 2019.
• He’d be selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL 20.
• Again, he’d spend time riding the bench, seeing some action here and there throughout the abbreviated 5 game season.
• McClendon was selected by the Vegas Vipers of XFL23.
• He’d start 4 games, and complete 67 of 112 passes for 873 yards and 5 TDs to 1 interception.
• With fleet feet, he escaped defenses to the tune of 30 carries for 137 yards.
• With the merger between the USFL and XFL completed in time for 2024, McClendon was picked up by the DC Defenders.
• Jalan backed up Jordan Ta’Amu but completed 13 of 21 passes for 129 yards in reserve duty.
• Finally in 2025, McClendon was given a chance to shine for the Houston Roughnecks.
• Fighting his way through a QB derby to start, he’d lead the team to a 4-2 record as starter, and complete 147 of 225 passes for 1464 yards and 6 TDs to 3 picks.

NOTES:

I had spied Jalan off the roster of the Roughnecks and when they signed him I felt he had starter material written all over him from his rugged appearance with the Vipers in 2023.

I was able to get him pregame early on. He signed these two cards and thanked me for being a fan, very earnestly. He loved the custom of him from his time with the Vipers. I got both his and Mathew Sexton’s, (also a former Viper) signed at the same game.

I really enjoyed making this custom set. It’s too bad that the league has such high churn that I probably won’t be able to finish out this set.