The Miami Dolphins signed a former Colorado linebacker to their practice squad
Numerous former Colorado Buffaloes are suiting up for the first NFL weekend of the regular season. While linebacker Derrick McLendon isn’t, he took a step in the right direction by signing with the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Tuesday.
McLendon arrived in Boulder as a graduate student ahead of CU football head coach Deion Sanders’ first season with the Buffs. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound linebacker played in all 12 games in 2023, racking up 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. After transferring out of Florida State, he came to CU with two years of eligibility but decided to forego his remaining eligibility after last season.
McLendon didn’t hear his name called in the 2024 NFL draft. However, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers and participated in their training camp.
Former Colorado wide receiver Xavier Weaver is the only Buff from last year’s team that made a 53-man roster, doing so with the Arizona Cardinals.
Unless an injury occurs, McLendon likely won’t make his NFL debut this year. Former Buffs tight end Brady Russell cracked the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster this year after spending last season on their practice squad, though, so McLendon is pushing in the right direction.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page onFacebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
The Dolphins’ practice squad is now at capacity after they added a pass rusher to the group.
The Miami Dolphins signed rookie linebacker Derrick McLendon to their practice squad Tuesday, bringing the squad to its 17-player capacity.
McLendon, 23, spent the offseason with the Carolina Panthers after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft. The linebacker made some plays in the preseason, and was credited by PFF with four pressures and a sack in only 25 pass rushing snaps.
However, his release didn’t come as much of a surprise as the Panthers made investments at the position by signing Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum, and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency to join second-year players D.J. Johnson and Eku Leota.
Instead, McLendon will try to get his NFL career on track in Miami where there’s a bevy of pass rushers, but question marks heading into Week 1. Bradley Chubb is on the PUP list, Jaelan Phillips is being slowly brought back from an Achilles injury, and rookies Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara are works in progress.
Prior to his time with Carolina, McLendon played four seasons at Florida State before transferring as a graduate student to Colorado. He finished his collegiate career with 10 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Here are four Panthers who can benefit most from a huge final week of preseason work:
Final roster cuts are less than a week away, and the Carolina Panthers should have a few tough decisions to make. There are some players who will further realize their dreams and some players who will have their hopes temporarily dashed.
But many will have just a handful of days left to prove their worth.
Here are four notable bubble players who need a big final week of the preseason to secure a roster spot:
WR Jalen Coker
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
At every training camp, there is an obsession over an undrafted free agent who many assumed would’ve been selected in April. Coker is this year’s cult favorite.
So far this summer, the Holy Cross star has flashed his ball skills and route-running ability against cornerbacks like D’Shawn Jamison and Lamar Jackson—players who could be considered quality depth pieces for an NFL secondary. Coker, however, has yet to stand out in preseason action or play at a consistently dominant level during practices.
Understandably, the 2023 First-team FCS All-American has his fair share of supporters amongst the Panthers faithful. But if he doesn’t shine in Buffalo this Saturday, he may have to latch on elsewhere—especially with fellow Carolina wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. impressing this summer.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
This may come as a surprise to many, but Smith-Marsette has become a bubble player in a surprisingly competitive receiver room.
Smith-Marsette is a talented player. He is the only true speedster on offense, and was a valuable gadget player and punt returner for Carolina in 2023.
This sounds like someone who might be a near-lock on the roster given his unique skills and potential on special teams. Yet, Marshall Jr. and David Moore may have been making better impressions off their play—possibly clouding Smith-Marsette’s chances at the bottom of the depth chart and as a returner.
OT Ricky Lee
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Lee’s eye-opening 2023 preseason landed him on last year’s roster. But now that the Panthers have invested quite a bit into their offensive line, the youngster could be on the outside looking in.
The second-year hog molly still has a skill set worthy of keeping. He’s nimble, quick off the ball and has an explosive kick-step that allows him to reach his landmarks in pass sets.
Yet, he may not possess the requisite size or length to be consistent or successful at tackle. Lee lacks the upper and lower half strength to stand up power rushes and to anchor down with a strong knee bend and a rock-solid core.
EDGE Derrick McLendon
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Carolina’s pass-rushing department has needed its players to step up this summer, particularly after a setback in free-agent signee D.J. Wonnum’s recovery from quad surgery. Thus far, second-year outside ‘backers DJ Johnson and Eku Leota have really answered the call.
But there is a player from this group who has impressed me with his effort in all phases—and that’s McLendon, who has stood out on special teams as well as against the run and the pass. And while the undrafted free agent from Colorado hasn’t had the flashes that Leota has piled up, his play style cannot be overlooked.
Colorado linebacker Derrick McLendon II is foregoing his final season of college eligibility
The Colorado Buffaloes football program is adding players at a rapid rate once again with the majority coming on the offensive side of the ball, at least so far.
One of the big departures is outside linebacker Derrick McLendon II, a former Florida State Seminole who announced on Wednesday that he’ll be declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.
McLendon wrote a statement and posted it on X with a thank you message to both Florida State and Colorado:
“To the Buff and Seminole nation, I will cherish every moment that I created on Folsom Field and Bobby Bowden Field,” McLendon wrote. “These experiences helped build my integrity, sportsmanship, and pursuit of excellence. With that being said, I will be foregoing my last season of college football and declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”
Colorado’s OLBs room holds many of the Buffs’ best pass rushers
Position classifications get tricky in college football, and the Colorado Buffaloes are no different this season. Most will see a player labeled “outside linebacker” and assume they will be dropping in coverage and playing the run. But when you look at the names that have been assembled at the position for the Buffs, they will also be getting after the quarterback.
Colorado has gathered a boatload of pass-rushing talent and almost all of them are listed as OLBs on the official roster. On obvious passing downs, expect to see one or more of these OLBs on the edges ready to get after the QB.
Here’s a look at Colorado’s primary “outside linebackers:”
Our Tony Cosolo broke down which #cubuffs could excel in the pass rush
When the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50, they were led by one of the best defensive units of all time. That group was powered by their pass rush, a so-called “NASCAR” package that put as many pass rushers on the field at the same time as possible.
With the reconstruction of Colorado’s roster nearly complete, a focus has been placed on the defensive line. When looking at the Buffs’ potential depth chart (h/t Jake Schwanitz of DNVR), your mind starts to wonder about what this team can do on passing downs.
Dartmouth transfer Shane Cokes will most certainly be leading the charge from the middle in base and pass rushing situations with former Arkansas DL Jordan Domineck holding down an outside spot. CU could then get creative by playing a bigger EDGE player, possibly Sav’ell Smalls, at the other inside spot to gain a pass rush mismatch against a guard. Throw in a Derrick McLendon on the other outside spot and you have a pass rush that could potentially make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Florida State transfer Derrick McLendon is headed to Boulder
After losing multiple defensive linemen to the transfer portal this offseason, the Buffs are beginning to rebuild a position group in desperate need of bodies with recent visitor Derrick McLendon announcing his commitment to Colorado.
The Florida State transfer defensive end was in Boulder for the spring game — along with fellow former Seminole Brendan Gant — and was impressed enough to officially join the herd on Wednesday.
McLendon excelled at making plays behind the line of scrimmage during his redshirt sophomore season last fall, recording five tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders still have plenty of work ahead to rebuild this roster, but adding McLendon is a strong start.
