Chris McClellan and the Mizzou Tigers’ defense had plenty to celebrate during a September 20, 2025 college football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Jeff Le/file photo Getty Images
For Chris McClellan, the NFL Scouting Combine feels less like a new chapter and more like a continuation.
After turning heads at the Senior Bowl last month, the former Missouri Tigers defensive tackle arrived in Indianapolis with momentum, familiar faces and a clearer sense of where his game stands entering the pre-draft process.
McClellan described the week as an extension of what began in Mobile, Alabama.
"It feels like a continuation of the Senior Bowl," McClellan said. "Talking to the same scouts, seeing familiar faces - it's been awesome."
McClellan's path to this point has been defined by development across multiple stops. After beginning his career at Florida, he transferred to MU and emerged as one of the Tigers' most reliable interior defenders. McClellan says his growth has centered on becoming a complete, three-down defensive tackle.
"At Missouri, I felt like I became more dominant," McClellan said. "More disruptive. More of a playmaker."
McClellan was part of a rotation at Florida, often asked to fill specific roles. At Mizzou, he was asked to do more: anchor against the run, generate interior pressure and lead a growing position group. That expanded responsibility forced him to sharpen both his technique and his football IQ.
McClellan pointed to improvements in hand placement, footwork and block recognition as areas that elevated his game. He also has a better understanding of how to attack interior linemen as a pass rusher.
While he entered college wanting to play defensive end, his move inside became a long-term project that finally clicked during his senior season.
"That last year was my best year understanding how to beat those interior guys," he said.
The physical edge has always been there. McClellan prides himself on toughness, describing himself as a player unwilling to be pushed around in the trenches.
"I never want to be a guy on the ground," he said. "I'm a tough, gritty player. I'm going to fight until the end of the whistle."
That identity carried over to the Senior Bowl, where McClellan's ability to hold up against double teams while still affecting the pocket caught the attention of evaluators. He said the week in Mobile gave him confidence that his skill set translated beyond college film.
"It was a great experience being able to showcase my abilities in front of all 32 teams," McClellan said.
McClellan believes his experience in different defensive schemes has also prepared him for the NFL. At Florida, he primarily played in a 3-4 front. At Missouri, he worked more in four-man looks, giving him exposure to multiple alignments and responsibilities.
"Having that experience lets me play in any defense," McClellan said.
That adaptability extended beyond the field. McClellan credited Missouri's support staff, from trainers to nutritionists, for helping reshape his approach to preparation and recovery - a shift he said was just as important as physical development.
"I wouldn't be in this position without the people around me at Mizzou," McClellan said. "They changed my mentality and helped me become a better person."
Former Florida teammate Caleb Banks said McClellan's work ethic never wavered, even as his career took him elsewhere.
"He's a hard worker," Banks said. "He's going to go out and bust his ass every single day. I'm extremely proud of him."
As McClellan moves through combine interviews and on-field testing, he's focused on showing teams that he's more than a situational interior lineman. He sees himself as a player capable of contributing on early downs and passing situations alike, a profile that fits mid-round draft conversations.
McClellan said he has trained for weeks leading into the combine, focusing on refining details across every drill. His goal is to leave no questions unanswered.
"I've got goals for myself," McClellan said. "I can't wait to showcase that."
For McClellan the combine is another chance to show that each stop along his journey helped shape him into the player he is now: tougher, more polished and ready for the next level.
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