This Mizzou football senior ‘transformed his career’ — and hopes he laid a foundation

Senior defensive tackle Chris McClellan wants to leave the Missouri defense in a better place than he found it.

It's a goal he has repeated a couple of times this year, but it dates back to his high school days. McClellan spent three seasons at Edison High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before making the move to another area high school, Owasso. The move pushed him to compete against tougher competition to get ready for the eventual college transition.

Before each new stop, his father, Kenny McClellan, inspired him with that message.

"We're going to pick it up," Kenny would tell Chris. "And we're going to leave it better than we found it."

The same goal applied at Florida, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Mizzou. Since arriving in Columbia, he's become one of the program's standouts on the defensive line and a leader in the locker room.

With just two more games left on Mizzou's schedule, McClellan is on pace to have a career year as Missouri's top defensive tackle. He has 39 tackles, five for loss, and three sacks in 11 starts. Each week, he's been an unmistakable presence on one of the Southeastern Conference's best defenses.

"Man, you want to talk about a guy who's really transformed his career, even from last year to this year, being consistent in his approach, being a very reliable football player," coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "He's one of the reasons we bounce back so well as a football team, because he sets the tone for being consistent, and really proud of him."

But McClellan wants his impact to go beyond the field. He's taken a leadership role for the defense, building chemistry and mentoring younger players who will follow his trail.

McClellan has paid close attention to mentoring redshirt freshman Elias Williams and true freshman Jason Dowell. McClellan sees a lot of himself in Williams.

"We spend a lot of time together," McClellan said. "I feel like we have similar kind of builds, similar rushing style. So I'll be giving him lots of little tips and stuff."

The same advice is extended to every player on the roster, whether freshman or senior. McClellan has preached team camaraderie, and that has seemed to translate on game days.

"The closer the team is, the better everyone's going to play," McClellan said. "They're going to be playing for the guys to the left and right of you, not just yourself."

Building a routine

The consistency Drinkwitz credited McClellan with is evident each Wednesday. Part of the senior's leadership routine has been to implement weekly defensive tackle meetings, which are new this season.

In said meetings, the position group watches film of upcoming opponents. Simple things to pick up on, such as offensive cues or snap counts, help the players be as prepared as possible.

Something McClellan took the initiative to do alone in the past has turned into a team exercise.

"One of our core values here is ‘do more than what's expected,’" McClellan said. "I did it last year, but this year I thought I'd extend the handout to everyone else so they can be able to get that same edge."

The Wednesday meetings have caught the eye of Mizzou's defenders beyond the line. And on Thursdays, the entire unit has its own meeting.

"I know that's something that (McClellan) takes pride in and brings them all together," edge rusher Damon Wilson II said. "Even on non-D-lineman ... just keeping consistency through the rules and the standards he practices. He does a good job with that."

McClellan holds true to practicing what he preaches. He holds teammates accountable by making sure they're on time to meetings and practice, but he won't do that unless he's doing the same.

By getting the defensive tackles in a routine, coaches say it has helped make the position group stronger. McClellan hopes that it'll be a mainstay moving forward.

"It's just building culture," he said, "especially for the younger guys, so we can carry it on to them next year."

Taking on the mantle

The glue of the Mizzou defensive line was tackle Kristian Williams in 2024. Being a three-year member of the program and team captain, he was the player who set the standard for the locker room.

Williams was always the first to line up for drills. When teammates asked him about the playbook, he knew the entire thing. That level of commitment was something for McClellan to strive to model.

"(Williams) was a big lead-by-example guy," McClellan said. "He's a good person to try and emulate."

Filling the hole Williams left was crucial for continuing the success of the group into the 2025 season. The Missouri coaching staff had its questions.

“We were really worried about (that), with Kristian Williams leaving that room, who was undoubtedly the leader,” Drinkwitz said. “Who was going to replace that leadership?”

As it turned out, McClellan was. Last season was his first as a Tiger, but his experience and natural ability to lead created an ideal fit as Williams' successor.

The biggest piece of advice gifted to McClellan by his predecessor was this, he said: "Don't let the grind get to your mind."

To him, that means bringing his best every day. He doesn't take anything for granted and keeps his mind focused on improving himself and his teammates. That's a part of the consistency he's demonstrated all year long.

McClellan is now the player who leads by example for the rest.

"If I come in every day and I'm able to give them my all and try my best for everything, then the guys will follow," he said.

Thriving at Mizzou

While Mizzou was an option out of high school, McClellan ultimately decided to go to Florida. The Tigers were not yet in the position they are now. But after two middling seasons with the Gators, the timing was right to reconsider his options.

Drinkwitz explained the trajectory he felt the program was headed in during McClellan's original recruitment, and the tackle took note of that years later. After a Cotton Bowl victory, the pitch was a whole lot easier for Mizzou to make.

McClellan's jump to Missouri immediately came with increased production on the field and also boosted confidence. He credits Drinkwitz with the results.

"One of the best things he does as a coach is he just motivates guys, and he knows how to get guys ready to play for him," McClellan said. "I think that's always something I appreciate about Coach Drink, because he's not only just a coach, he's a great motivator."

That motivation has fed into a fearless defense in the second year under defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. Mizzou allows the 10th-fewest yards per game in the country (277.4), the 20th-lowest third-down conversion rate (37.7%) and is tied for 16th in sacks (31). McClellan has played a key part in all of that.

Stacked with future NFL-level talent in Wilson, Zion Young and Josiah Trotter, the Tigers have held three opposing offenses to 10 points or fewer and four to 17 points or fewer. While Mizzou will lose much of that talent this offseason, the success the defense has enjoyed sets a high bar for future teams.

"Some of the stuff we've been able to do defensively this year has been very impressive," McClellan said. "I feel like we truly have set a standard for ‘Death Row’ defense for the time coming."

At the top defensive tackle slot, that standard is etched indelibly.

What are you thankful for?

A Thanksgiving for McClellan and Mizzou football is a little bit different than for the average person. There is time to spend with family and eat copious amounts of food, but there's still a game two days later for which to prepare.

McClellan doesn't wake up in the morning to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Instead, he watches film.

"We’re still on a mission, man. We've still got a game to win," McClellan said. "We can kick it and have a big ol' plate, but we’ve got to get back to work."

Mizzou will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Arkansas, seeking win No. 8. The College Football Playoff and a 10-win season may be out of reach, but it hasn't yet reached the end of the road.

McClellan and the Mizzou defense have a couple more opportunities to cap off the 2025 season on a high note.

"Do what we've been doing, be that dominant defense that I know we can be," McClellan said. "Having fun with my brothers for these last couple of experiences in college."

As much as the last bite of mac 'n' cheese or pumpkin pie, McClellan will savor his final moments as a Tiger.

Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM with the headline "This Mizzou football senior ‘transformed his career’ — and hopes he laid a foundation."