Barrington quarterback Alex McClelland is so talented his coach has changed the offense
BARRINGTON — Alex McClelland started his football career light years from earning a meeting with Cam Newton.
He was the backup quarterback on the junior varsity team as a freshman. His first organized activity beyond a preteen flag game was about as far from under center for Barrington’s varsity as you could get.
“That helped me,” McClelland said. “I think that put a little bit of a chip on my shoulder — and I still have a chip on my shoulder. I wasn’t the first choice on my own team.
“It’s really awesome to look back and see how far I’ve come as a player and as a person.”
McClelland has put those early days firmly in his rearview mirror. He enters this season as a two-year starter, team captain and college prospect. The Eagles have a Super Bowl title in Division II among their listed goals, and McClelland will be one of the players attempting to lead them there.
How physically talented is the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder? Consider this. Barrington coach Sandy Gorham — a longtime devotee of the triple option offense both with the Eagles and East Providence — has switched to a shotgun spread for 2023. McClelland will be making reads from deep in the backfield and will be free to show off his strong right arm on the perimeter.
“This is a different offense than it was the last two (years),” Gorham said. “He’s got to learn the shotgun, the footwork that’s required. And we put it in because of his ability to throw the ball.”
McClelland has attempted to accelerate his development working with Michael McCarthy at M2 QB Academy and traveling the 7-on-7 circuit with Breakthrough Elite. One of those stops was at Newton’s C1N Tournament in Washington, D.C., where McClelland was named Most Valuable Player. Part of his reward was a meeting with the former Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn, National Football League MVP and short-time New England Patriots quarterback.
“When you see yourself go against competition like that and know you can compete with them, it’s different,” McClelland said. “It’s like an out-of-body experience. You know you can compete with these guys who have stars and are going to play at Power 5 schools for free.”
McClelland holds an offer from the University of Rhode Island as a preferred walk-on and interest from Stonehill and Holy Cross. That list should grow and strengthen over the next few months. He’s been on campus at Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Maryland and Brown. Gorham believes McClelland’s background as a track and field athlete, baseball player and swimmer has given him a solid base, and his experience running the option last season has forced him to make quick decisions of a different variety before.
“I call a play, it’s a triple option — I don’t know who’s carrying the ball,” Gorham said. “It’s his decision. He’s not afraid of making a decision. He’s not afraid of making a mistake, putting that mistake behind him, and then playing the next play.
“He’s used to doing that. I think that’s a real big plus.”
McClelland has made considerable strides from those early times with Barrington. His first start came as a sophomore after current Bryant freshman James Anderson tested positive for COVID-19. McClelland was atop the depth chart for a playoff contender last season and will be at the helm for one of the preseason favorites this fall.
“It’s been a long grind,” McClelland said. “My whole life it’s been my dream to be a football player. I always wanted to play in college and see where it takes me.”
A somewhat late start in the game has left McClelland attempting to catch up with some prospects in his class. He could opt to take a prep year in 2024-25 and raise his profile like former North Kingstown quarterback Eddie Buehler, who graduated in June and committed to Maine over the summer. McClelland still figures to be a long way from his ceiling, which generally adds some appeal for coaches at the next level.
“I’m constantly after him — ‘Set your feet. Set your feet,’ ” Gorham said. “Put your feet in position to make the throw and you’re going to be that much more accurate.
“He’s got such a good arm. He’s got a way to go in terms of his footwork and his technique, but he loves the game.”
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Barrington switched to a shot-gun offense because of Alex McClelland
