Southern Illinois University Athletics
By Ross Jackson
This year’s New Orleans Saints undrafted free agent class may have been more slim than previous years with only 11 players added, but several signees have a chance to make an impression beginning with rookie minicamp the first full week of May.
One player worth watching will be Southern Illinois cornerback Jeremiah McClendon.
The 6-foot, 185-pound cornerback totaled 14 passes defended over the course of 12 games in 2025. He also grabbed two interceptions, 59 tackles, and each a sack, fumble forced and recovered.
He’s a disruptive player that has found numerous ways to impact games with his tenacious play style and versatile skill set.
With McClendon’s size and eclectic contributions in college, the Southern Illinois alum could be an option to provide depth in the slot.
New Orleans has not yet acquired a new talent to man that position just yet. While McClendon’s path is likely one that will take him to the practice squad, he could provide some developmental depth at the foundational position in the Saints’ defense.
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