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.
Marc Trestman is considered one of football’s great minds when it comes to QB whispering as he has played a hand in many a great QB’s ascensions or been on the coaching staff as of their rise.
After being unable to wrest the starting QB job at Minnesota, Marc Trestman transferred to Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Unsigned, he spent camp with the Vikings in ’79 and ’80 as a defensive back but didn’t crack the lineup.
He began his college coaching career at Miami (FL) in 1981, and by ’83 was serving as the team’s QB coach.
Then in 1985, Trestman embarked on a series of stops as a positional coach and offensive coordinator in the NFL (Vikings, Browns, 49ers, Lions, Cardinals, Raiders, and Dolphins).
After a brief stop at NC State in 2005-’06, Trestman returned to the NFL as a consultant with the New Orleans Saints in 2007.
It’d be in late 2007 that Marc really carved out a name for himself as he was hired as HC of the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.
Paired with GM Jim Popp, Marc’s Alouette teams won back to back CFL Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010.
By 2012, Trestman was garnering NFL attention, and in 2013 he was hired as the Chicago Bears head coach.
Trestman was the first coach since Bud Grant to jump from the CFL to the NFL.
He’d finish his rookie head coaching season 8-8 as the Bears would break multiple offensive team records.
Unfortunately he’d not see the same success in 2014, as the team slid to 5-11.
After a stop in Baltimore as their OC in 205/’16, Marc returned to the CFL where he had the most success.
Reunited with Jim Popp – this time in Toronto, where the Argos pulled off a worst to first, winning the Great Cup in 2017.
He’d be fired after the 2018 season.
Marc hopped on over to the XFL 2020, where he coached the Tampa Bay Vipers to a 1-4 record before COVID took down the league.
After a long hiatus, Trestman was hired by Jim Harbaugh to be an assistant with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
ACCOLADES:
CFL Coach of the Year 2009, ’17
NOTES:
I was interested in learning more about Marc and I thought the best way to do so was to see his offensive mind at work, so I asked him to diagram up a play with his autograph. He. Did. Not. Instead I got a note, which I thought was a bit snarky, wishing me luck with whatever I do with the autograph, or something like that. Okay dude.
Over his time at the school he set school and single season passing records.
He finished 533/955 for 6,999 yards, 49 TDs to 24 picks, along with 757 rushing yards.
He decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Signed with the Buffalo Bills as an UDFA, and although he led the Bills to a comeback victory in the preseason finale, it was not enough to impress the team to keep him.
Selected in the 9th round of the XFL 20 Draft.
Saw limited playing time behind starter Cardale Jones.
Led the team to a comeback win against the Battlehawks in Week 5- shortly before the league was suspended due to COVID.
Signed with the Eagles in early ’21 and was transitioned to TE.
Fractured a bone in his back and spent 3 months on IR.
Started his first game, caught his first TD pass, and tore his ACL all in the same game.
Spent the majority of the ’22 campaign on the PUP list.
Joined the Giants practice squad in 2023.
Released with an injury designation in ’24.
Signed late in the 2024 season to the Commanders practice squad.
ACCOLADES:
2019 Senior Bowl South Team MVP
MAC Offensive Player of the Year 2018
NOTES:
Just before I was about to send this out to Tyree- he was cut by the Commanders in camp, so I was back to square one. After digging around on the internet I found a good address and gave it a try at the end of the year. He signed the two cards and sent a note thanking me for my support.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
