Former Barrington quarterback earns full scholarship at URI

Alex McClelland helped lead the BHS football team to a state title in 2023

By Josh Bickford
Posted 12/26/24

Alex McClelland is going from preferred walk-on to full scholarship.

The recent Barrington High School graduate recently finished his freshman season as a quarterback on the University of Rhode …

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Former Barrington quarterback earns full scholarship at URI

Alex McClelland helped lead the BHS football team to a state title in 2023

Posted

Alex McClelland is going from preferred walk-on to full scholarship.

The recent Barrington High School graduate recently finished his freshman season as a quarterback on the University of Rhode Island football team. And shortly after the Rams’ run ended in the second round of FCS playoffs, McClelland was called into head coach Jim Fleming’s office.

“I got out of a lift and I got a text from my head coach saying to come meet me in my office whenever you can,” McClelland said during a recent interview with the Barrington Times. “My first thought was I didn’t even know he had my number…An hour after that I went up there…He just let me know how proud he was of me, and how far I came. He let me know I was going to be on full scholarship from now on.”

McClelland, who helped lead the Barrington High School football team to a state championship in his senior season, said earning a scholarship was one of his goals, but he is looking forward to the future also. 

“My next big goal is to just get on the field and keep learning. It’s not going to be easy, but I want to do as much as I can to make myself a better football player, and eventually help the team out as much as I can,” McClelland said. 

• Walking on: “They call it a preferred walk-on spot. I did technically walk on, but they invited me. They offered me the spot. It was something I had to work for. My goal the entire time was to end up getting a scholarship. That’s step one. The next step is to get on the field.”

• Day 1 at URI: “I’ve never gone through a real training camp where you’re away from home. I was away from home for the first time. Not only was I playing football every single day like it was a job, but I was away from home for the first time. It was definitely very different. I realized it was a lot different from high school. It truly is like people say: It’s a job… I got back, I had meetings til 9:30 p.m., I think. And I have a 6 a.m. wake-up. I was really tired. I think I FaceTimed my parents to let them this is going to be a grind, but I was really excited about it. I asked to be in that position. I was grateful that I was in that position, and I’m grateful for everything that’s happened now. I think I understood it was going to be a grind, but I think I underestimated it. It was really tough, physically and mentally.”

• A lot to learn: “Training camp was definitely a grind. It’s a lot to learn. There’s a lot of stuff about football I realized I didn’t know. For me, it (the hardest part) was probably getting a grasp on learning everything. Physically, I don’t get hit during practice. I didn’t have to experience that. Just learning a whole new system — that was probably the hardest part for me.”

• Option quarterback: “I think a big part of it is, a lot of our (offense) has to do with option. Coming from Barrington, that was a major part of it. I think I was prepared to make quick decisions. I think that was a big thing — I talked to my (Barrington) head coach Sandy Gorham about that on the phone the other day. I was prepared to make decisions and trust myself. I think Barrington helped prepare me a lot for that. Obviously just running the football.”

• A lot bigger: “Biggest difference? I’d say the size of everybody. Speed of the game. Honestly, it’s definitely a little bit faster. The seven-on-seven tournaments around the country — I think that prepped me for it, passing-wise. But I’ve never seen an elite pass rush. Obviously, my team had a really good D-line. A couple players are getting NFL looks. I think that was a big difference — I had actual monsters coming at me.”

• Successful season: “It was a great experience. At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t actually on the travel squad. At that time of the year it was tough for me. I see the success we were having, but I didn’t feel that I was fully a part of it. Obviously, I ran the scout team. The defensive guys and coaches always let me know I was doing a great job getting them prepared for the games, but I really wanted to be there and experience it.”

• UNH game: “Halfway through the season we played New Hampshire and one of our quarterbacks got sick. So I got on the (travel) squad that way and I stayed on for the rest of the season. Just traveling and being able to experience that was a lot of fun for me. I got to see the older guys and how they prepare for games. Just being around it and just learning. I like to learn as much as I can.”

• Earning the scholarship: “It means a lot to me. It’s a stepping stone to the goals I want to accomplish. Obviously a full scholarship helps my family out a lot. That was the first thing I thought of. The first person I called when I got out of the meeting was my dad to let him know. My coach told me to call during the meeting, but he had his own meeting he was taking. So I called him about 10 minutes after I got out of the meeting. Yeah, it was definitely my first major goal was to earn a scholarship. That’s a sign that they trust you, that you can be a helping hand to the program.”

• Next goal: “My next big goal is to just get on the field and keep learning. It’s not going to be easy, but I want to do as much as I can to make myself a better football player. And eventually help the team out as much as I can.”

• What it takes to be a starter: “I think it takes everything. You’ve got to commit yourself to a lot of different things. It’s not just having a great practice. It’s having great nutrition, having a great mind-set to watch films as much as you can. Talking to coaches as much as you can. Having good relationships with the other players. So it’s a lot more than just being good at football. You have to be great at a lot of things.”

• Advice to young players: “It takes a lot of commitment and belief in yourself. I didn’t start as a freshman, but I never let it stop me. I never let it change my work ethic. As a matter of fact, it probably made me work harder. So no matter what, always have that belief in yourself.”

• Message to former BHS teammates: “I love you guys and thank you guys for helping me get to where I am today, because I wouldn’t be here without you guys. And coaches, and everyone who helped me along the way.”

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