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More speed at linebacker - Ivan McLennan


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Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

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Washington State OLB Ivan McClennan could be the undrafted player to watch for the Falcons. McClennan (6-3, 238) ran a 4.59 40 and posted a 36-inch vertical at pro day. Had six sacks and nine tackles for losses last season.

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NFL 5h
Edited by atlbaby
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update

Vaughn McClure wrote an article on him

Quote

Ivan McLennan was a redshirt junior in June 2014, and the former Washington State outside linebacker freely admitted he still had some maturing to do.

Two years ago, McLennan was arrested and charged with unlawful handling of weapons capable of producing bodily harm. He pointed a non-lethal Airsoft pellet gun at a student after police previously warned him about such antics.

McLennan doesn't believe the misdemeanor arrest had anything to do with him going undrafted. He does believe, however, that it helped him realize not to put himself in such comprising situations.

"I know it was wrong because they were expected me to be a leader," McLennan said. "We were having BB gun wars. The whole team was playing around, but that's still no excuse. I look back at it, and it shouldn't have happened. I learned from it. I learned there are consequences from my actions. I've always been positive but now I'm more mature, in a sense."

A matured McLennan is now ready to fulfill his NFL dreams after joining the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He'll be one to watch as the team begins rookie minicamp, considering he brings a pass-rush element that the Falcons -- who finished last in the league with 19 sacks last season -- sorely need.

"It's a surreal, humbling and blessed opportunity to go there to Atlanta and have the opportunity to compete and try to make this 53-man roster," he said.

The 6-foot-3, 238-pound McLennan didn't work out for the Falcons when they visited Washington State to take a closer look at offensive lineman Joe Dahl. McLennan did, however, post impressive numbers at his pro day with times of 4.59 and 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 17 bench-press reps and a 36-inch vertical.

He then established a relationship with the Falcons.

"I'd say probably 10 or 12 days before the draft, me and [linebackers coach] Jeff Ulbrich talked," McLennan said. "Ever since then, him and I were always in contact. We talked on a daily basis, **** near. We started building a little relationship, a little connection. He wanted me to come to Atlanta, and I want to be in Atlanta.

"[Ulbrich] wants me to play outside linebacker. He wants me to play inside linebacker. He wants me to pass-rush on third down. He wants me to play every special teams. It's a great opportunity over there because he said he likes my versatility."

McLennan, a native of California who transferred to Washington State from El Camino Junior College, played in 25 games in two seasons with the Cougars. Last season, he registered 42 tackles, nine tackles for losses and six sacks. He had three sacks in a victory over Wyoming.

"As a pass-rusher, I just get off the ball really good," McLennan said. "I'd say I'm good at my burst. I have a good burst off the ball. I've got a couple moves, too, with a little shake. I'm still a work in progress because I haven't been in the NFL. I know it's another level, so I've got to work. I've got to watch film. I know sure, I've got to be violent with my hands. But my biggest positive attribute as a pass-rusher is just my get-off. I just get off the ball really fast."

Washington State linebackers coach Roy Manning is confident McLennan can excel as an NFL pass-rusher in time.

"Ivan's just a guy where his first step is really, really impressive," Manning said. "He can really get off the ball. He plays really, really fast. Sometimes, it's a little bit out of control. But he's got all the ability."

This is the UDFA I will be following.

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The 6-foot-3, 238-pound McLennan didn't work out for the Falcons when they visited Washington State to take a closer look at offensive lineman Joe Dahl. McLennan did, however, post impressive numbers at his pro day with times of 4.59 and 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 17 bench-press reps and a 36-inch vertical.

He then established a relationship with the Falcons.

"I'd say probably 10 or 12 days before the draft, me and [linebackers coach] Jeff Ulbrich talked," McLennan said. "Ever since then, him and I were always in contact. We talked on a daily basis, **** near. We started building a little relationship, a little connection. He wanted me to come to Atlanta, and I want to be in Atlanta.

"[Ulbrich] wants me to play outside linebacker. He wants me to play inside linebacker. He wants me to pass-rush on third down. He wants me to play every special teams. It's a great opportunity over there because he said he likes my versatility."

McLennan, a native of California who transferred to Washington State from El Camino Junior College, played in 25 games in two seasons with the Cougars. Last season, he registered 42 tackles, nine tackles for losses and six sacks. He had three sacks in a victory over Wyoming.

"As a pass-rusher, I just get off the ball really good," McLennan said. "I'd say I'm good at my burst. I have a good burst off the ball. I've got a couple moves, too, with a little shake. I'm still a work in progress because I haven't been in the NFL. I know it's another level, so I've got to work. I've got to watch film. I know sure, I've got to be violent with my hands. But my biggest positive attribute as a pass-rusher is just my get-off. I just get off the ball really fast."

Washington State linebackers coach Roy Manning is confident McLennan can excel as an NFL pass-rusher in time.

"Ivan's just a guy where his first step is really, really impressive," Manning said. "He can really get off the ball. He plays really, really fast. Sometimes, it's a little bit out of control. But he's got all the ability."

I like the sound of this!!!

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On 5/2/2016 at 3:19 PM, atlbaby said:

Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer 

mcclure_vaughn_m.jpg

Washington State OLB Ivan McClennan could be the undrafted player to watch for the Falcons. McClennan (6-3, 238) ran a 4.59 40 and posted a 36-inch vertical at pro day. Had six sacks and nine tackles for losses last season.

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yeah I posted an article on him yesterday from the local paper in Washington - already had McClennan picked out.  I will bump it for those that want to see.

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On May 3, 2016 at 9:15 PM, Godzilla1985 said:

I've been a bit leery of Pro day 40 times since I saw Worrislow post a 4.59 at his Pro day. How does he play?

Worrilow isn't slow at all on the field. He's just slow to react which takes him outta plays, but as far as wheels, he has them, his instincts just make them pointless lol

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1 minute ago, cwell1 said:

Worrilow isn't slow at all on the field. He's just slow to react which takes him outta plays, but as far as wheels, he has them, his instincts just make them pointless lol

I agree.  MLB scares me, McClennen seems to be the style of LB that Quinn is going for, but we still need a thumper,  Im glad we have 3 new speed guys   but in my humble opinion , Jones won't work there, I wouldn't be surprised if Keanu leads the team in tackles this year.

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On 5/3/2016 at 9:15 PM, Godzilla1985 said:

I've been a bit leery of Pro day 40 times since I saw Worrislow post a 4.59 at his Pro day. How does he play?

Til this very day, Worrilow has the best overall workout numbers out of every LB on the team but it has never translated to the field. His tape does not an any way match his measurables. There is a reason cats go undrafted.

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1 hour ago, FentayeJones said:

Til this very day, Worrilow has the best overall workout numbers out of every LB on the team but it has never translated to the field. His tape does not an any way match his measurables. There is a reason cats go undrafted.

Well he has averaged 122 tackles per season over the last 3 years. Some people have have thrown him under the bus because of "tape" they pulled from the Vikings game in which he looked clueless. That is one game and there is tape out there like that on anybody if you go looking at it. Worrilow may get replaced but he has played well. He makes tackles all over the field.

 

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