Meet Jaleel McLaughlin
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One of the most notable things about Jaleel is he is the reigning NCAA career rushing champion with 8,166 rushing yards that he compiled at 2 programs. He spent 2 years at the now defunct Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, and 3 years at Youngstown State, so it’s only fitting he wound up on the Browns.
Originally from Marshville, NC, he had a tough go of it growing up. Single mom and 3 siblings, and at one point his mom lost her factory job of 10 years and they ended up being homeless for a time when he was in middle school. At one point they were living out of a Ford Focus in a McDonalds parking lot. That’s a very small car for 4 people.
They ended up moving in with a relative, and at that point a fire got lit under Jaleel’s ass and he dedicated his efforts into sports.
His first love was basketball, but he’s a short guy listed just under 5’8”, so fair chance he wasn’t going to make the NBA. He also starred in track and football in high school.
He had no D1 offers out of high school, and the college offers he did have were from schools who wanted him to play defensive back due to his size. But Jaleel wanted to run with the rock and he stuck to his guns about that, so he went with Notre Dame College because they were willing to let him do just that.
And the rest is literally history.
But despite his collegiate accolades, he went undrafted in the 2023 draft. He was later signed as a UDFA by the Denver Broncos
He spent 3 years with them as a backup back and had some success rushing for 1,093 yards on 226 carries, which is a tick above 4.8 ypc. Pretty good!
But despite that, he saw his usage decline in 2025 and was eventually non-tendered before the 2026 season. Apparently he was seen as less good at pass protection and special teams compared to his competition.
But when one door closes, another opens, and the Browns seem to like signing former Bronco running backs (Reuben Droughns, Mr. Madden Peyton Hillis, and recently Audrick Estimè) so we signed him.
He was interviewed a couple weeks ago and listens to “Dream On” by Aerosmith before taking the field, and the night before games he eats 7 chicken wings, 4 barbecue and 3 mild.
I hope he earns enough money in the NFL to buy his mom her own McDonalds franchise so she can say “look who’s McLaughin’ now.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaleel_McLaughlin
https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/next-man-up/next-man-up-browns-rb-jaleel-mclaughlin-has-local-football-roots-enjoys-working-out-and-singing-some-adele?fbclid=IwdGRleAVDQNhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUQltHp50UjvdM3VGQgT1HanHZO5XpnNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5W2GkgHjLkfZWiEGCky807Jqbt41Ob549ktVrcO9v_Ldsbh_vZdu0e8Qshgg_aem_W_Jf3tPv5rrfUm4v8XyhwA
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