Ole Miss Signs Junior College Running Back

Dec. 19, 2001

Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe announced Wednesday the signing of Butler County (Kansas) Community College All-America running back Ronald McClendon.

McClendon, a 5-9, 185 pounder from Ponchatoula, La., was rated by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 1 junior college prospect. He will enroll at Ole Miss in January and participate in spring drills.

"Ronald excelled in an outstanding junior college league and also had an outstanding high school career," Cutcliffe said. "We're excited about adding Ronald to our squad. Not only is he quality player, he's a fine person."

McClendon, who earned junior college All-America honors both seasons at Butler County, led the 2001 Grizzlies in scoring with 72 points. He rushed for 1,012 yards on 153 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, and scored 11 rushing touchdowns with a long run of 85 yards.

He also caught nine passes this season for another 116 yards and returned nine kicks for 305 yards, including a 95-yard TD return. McClendon ended his sophomore season with 1,443 all-purpose yards.

During his two years at Butler County, the Grizzles won the Empire Bowl Championship in 2000 and the Conference Championship in 2001. While making All-America both seasons, he was also All-Conference and All-Region at running back and kick returner, while adding All-America honors last spring in track in the 60-meters and 100-meters.

McClendon was a SuperPrep All-America player at Ponchatoula High in 1999 when that national publication rated him as the nation's 16th best running back. As a quarterback-tailback in high school, he passed for 849 yards and rushed for another 972 during his senior season. He was rated by SuperPrep as the eighth best player in Louisiana in 1999.

McClendon, who was the state 100-meter and 200-meter champion as a junior and senior in high school, is expected to also run track for Coach Joe Walker's Ole Miss squad.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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