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.
Doran Grant played college ball at Ohio State from 2011 to 2014.
At DB/CB he tallied 140 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 19 pass deflections, 9 interceptions for 146 yards and a TD.
Selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
Over the next few seasons, Doran was on and off the Practice squad of the Steelers, Bills, Giants, Jaguars, and Bears.
Late in 2018 signed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF.
Finished with 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 4 pass deflections in 8 contests.
Played for the Defenders of the XFL in 2020 starting one contest.
Posted 7 tackles and 1 pass deflection for DC in 5 games.
He’d sign with the Blue Bombers after the XFL folded due to COVID.
After the CFL cancelled the season due to COVID, he opted out of play.
Grant went into coaching where he has been coaching at the high school level.
NOTES:
My friend Seth helped me get Doran way back when he joined the DC Defenders. He said all the players were excited to sign their cards at the team meet and greet. The certified is basically a zoomed up version of his base card. Still it looks good and I am fortunate Seth was kind enough to help me out.
CARDS: Upper Deck UFL 2025 Dual Autographs, XFL 2023 ACQUIRED: Epack 2025 IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v DC Defenders
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Abram Smith played college ball at Baylor from 2018-’21.
He battled adversity through injury and a position change, before returning to RB for his 2021 campaign.
There he rushed 257 times for 1,601 yards and 12 TDs for the Bears, setting the school’s single season rushing record.
After going undrafted, he’d be signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Cut, Smith was the overall #1 pick of the DC Defenders during the 2023 XFL Draft.
Over the course of the XFL ’23 season, Abram ran for 788 yards and 6 TDs.
Signed with the Vikings after the season, but didn’t make the squad.
Returned to the Defenders, but tore his ACL before the season, ending his 2024 campaign.
Resigned with DC for the ’25 campaign and rushed for 285 yards and a TD on 101 carries.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I got Abram at almost the same time I got Malik Fisher. Abram didn’t seem all too enthusiastic even though I gave him a custom to keep, but still I was happy to get the XFL ’23’s leading rusher on a card.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
