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.
KD Cannon set Freshman receiving records at Baylor, catching 58 passes for 1,030 yards and 8 TDs in 2014.
In 2016, he had 87 catches for 1,215 yards and 13 TDs, including a whopping 226 yards and 2 TDs on 14 receptions in the Cactus Bowl.
Undrafted in 2017, he’d spend time briefly on the rosters of the 9ers, Jets, and Rams, before landing on the practice squad of the Cowboys at the end of the season.
Waived by the Cowboys and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018.
Released by the Roughriders, but selected by the LA Wildcats of the XFL 2020.
Joined the XFL’s Team 9 practice squad, and then was elevated to the Seattle Sea Dragons before the season was cancelled due to COVID.
Signed by the Vegas Knight Hawks of the IPFL for the 2022 season.
Selected by the DC Defenders in the XFL 2023 draft, finishing the season on the roster of the Orlando Guardians.
During the season he’d catch 4 passes for 161 yards and 2 TDs.
With the Guardians not retained in the merger between the XFL and USFL, Cannon would be selected by the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024 during the dispersal draft.
He’d catch 1 pass for 32 yards and see light duty on returns.
Released after the season concluded.
NOTES:
I had made a card of KD thinking he might show up at one of these events and I was happy to add him alongside Speedy Stevenson on a few cards at a very, very hot event that was outside before the last game of the season. He really liked the card and I gave him the rest to keep. The additional cards I made of him didn’t arrive in time unfortunately.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
