Tag: Derrick McLendon

Derrick McLendon II declaring for 2024 NFL draft

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.”

McLendon had 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks with the Buffs and had 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2022 with Florida State.

He has a lot of talent and the size to become a successful linebacker in the NFL.

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Colorado football 2023 state of the position: Outside linebacker

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:”

Examining Colorado’s new-look group of pass rushers

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.

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Colorado receives commitment from Florida State transfer DE Derrick McLendon

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.

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Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

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