McClendon Jerrell Curtis Bio
McClendon Jerrell Curtis (born September 16, 1999) is an American professional football offensive guard who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Curtis entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, signing with the Raiders after a standout collegiate career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 330 pounds, Curtis brings significant size to the offensive line position. His professional journey has seen him rotate between multiple NFL franchises, ultimately returning to the Raiders organization where he began his career. Prior to his professional endeavors, Curtis established himself as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), earning multiple All-American honors and conference accolades during his tenure with the Chattanooga Mocs.
Early Life and Background
Curtis was born on September 16, 1999, in Harrison, Tennessee, a suburb of Chattanooga. He grew up in the Chattanooga area and attended Chattanooga Central High School in Harrison, where he developed his football fundamentals while playing both football and basketball. His athleticFrame provided the foundation for his future as an offensive lineman. Despite his eventual success, Curtis received limited national attention as a high school prospect, earning only a two-star recruit rating from recruiting services.
Despite the modest recruiting profile, Curtis attracted interest from multiple colleges at various competition levels. He ultimately chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, selecting the Mocs over competing offers from UT Martin and several Football Bowl Subdivision programs including Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State, Ohio, Temple, and Western Kentucky. This decision to stay close to his Tennessee roots proved instrumental in shaping his collegiate development.
Path to Professional Football
Curtis redshirted his true freshman season at Chattanooga in 2017, using that year to adapt to the college-level strength and conditioning program while learning the playbook. The redshirt year allowed him to physically mature and understand the demands of FCS competition. He became the Mocs starting right guard going into his redshirt sophomore year and immediately made an impact, starting all 12 of the team’s games that season. This breakthrough campaign marked the beginning of his ascent as one of the top offensive linemen in the Southern Conference.
His development continued at an impressive pace. As a redshirt junior, Curtis earned first-team All-Southern Conference honors, establishing himself among the elite linemen in the conference. He repeated this accomplishment in his redshirt senior year, again starting all of the Mocs games at guard. Due to the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who participated in the 2020 season affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Curtis returned to Chattanooga for a sixth season of collegiate competition. During spring practices of that additional year, he transitioned from guard to offensive tackle, expanding his versatility and value to NFL scouts. His final collegiate campaign culminated with him winning the Jacobs Blocking Award as the best blocker in the Southern Conference, solidifying his status as an FCS All-American in 2022.
McClendon Jerrell Curtis Career
College Career (2017–2022)
Curtis established himself as a dominant force along the Chattanooga offensive line during his six seasons with the Mocs. After redshirting his freshman year, he became a fixture in the starting lineup from his sophomore season onward. His consistency was remarkable, as he started every game at guard during his peak years while earning recognition as a three-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection from 2020 through 2022. The transition to offensive tackle during his final spring demonstrated his adaptability and willingness to expand his skill set.
Following the conclusion of his decorated college career, Curtis participated in the 2023 Senior Bowl, a prestigious postseason all-star game that showcases top collegiate prospects for NFL scouts and executives. His performance in this venue further reinforced his credentials as a professional-level talent despite not receiving a draft selection. The combination of his size, experience at multiple offensive line positions, and proven track record of success at the FCS level positioned him as an intriguing prospect for NFL teams seeking offensive line depth.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
Curtis began his NFL journey with the Las Vegas Raiders, signing as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. This signing represented an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level despite not being selected in the draft. He joined the Raiders roster during organized team activities and training camp, competing for a spot along the team’s offensive line. However, he was waived during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, before being re-signed to the team’s practice squad, where he continued to develop and refine his technique while learning the professional playbook.
Seattle Seahawks (2023–2024)
On September 13, 2023, Curtis signed with the Seattle Seahawks off the Raiders practice squad, earning a promotion to an NFL active roster for the first time in his career. His tenure with Seattle spanned parts of two seasons. He was waived by the Seahawks on August 27, 2024, during roster reductions but re-joined the practice squad shortly thereafter. Curtis received a promotion to the active roster on September 21, 2024, indicating the coaching staff saw value in his development. He appeared in 5 NFL games during his career, all with the Seahawks organization. He was waived again on October 10, 2024, and returned to the practice squad, continuing his journeyman path through the league.
Arizona Cardinals (2025)
On January 13, 2025, Curtis signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals, providing him an opportunity to continue his professional career with a new organization. This signing represented a fresh start and another chance to establish himself at the NFL level. However, his time in Arizona proved brief, as he was waived on August 25, 2025, during the Cardinals’ training camp roster reductions. The transaction marked another chapter in his ongoing adjustment to professional football’s competitive roster dynamics.
New York Giants (2025)
Curtis continued his journeyman career by joining the New York Giants organization. He was signed to the Giants’ practice squad on August 29, 2025, following his release from Arizona. This move represented his fourth different NFL franchise in less than three seasons since entering the league. However, his stint with the Giants was extremely brief, as he was released by the team on September 8, 2025, less than two weeks after joining the practice squad.
Las Vegas Raiders Return (2025–Present)
Curtis returned to the Las Vegas Raiders organization on October 14, 2025, signing with the team’s practice squad for a second stint with the franchise. This homecoming provided him an opportunity to reunite with the team that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was released on October 21 but re-signed to the practice squad on December 17, demonstrating the Raiders’ continued interest in his potential. On January 5, 2026, Curtis signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas, securing his place on the roster heading into the 2026 season. He was subsequently waived by the Raiders on May 2, 2026, but his pattern of being re-signed indicates NFL teams continue to see value in his skill set and versatility along the offensive line.
Playing Style and Strengths
Curtis possesses the prototypical size for an NFL offensive lineman at 6 feet 6 inches and 330 pounds. His experience playing both guard and tackle during his collegiate career provides him positional flexibility that NFL teams value. His three consecutive first-team All-Conference selections demonstrate sustained excellence and consistency at the collegiate level. The Jacobs Blocking Trophy he won in his final season recognized him as the best blocker in the Southern Conference, highlighting his technical skill and ability to dominate opposing defenders at the FCS level. His ability to transition between guard and tackle shows his adaptability, though his natural position appears to be interior line work at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Curtis achieved several significant milestones during his collegiate career that laid the foundation for his professional aspirations. Winning the 2022 Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the Southern Conference stands as his most prestigious individual collegiate honor. His three consecutive first-team All-SoCon selections from 2020 through 2022 demonstrated his sustained excellence over multiple seasons. The transition from guard to tackle during his additional year of eligibility showcased his willingness to expand his game and demonstrated his football intelligence and technical proficiency. At the professional level, earning his first NFL game action with the Seattle Seahawks represented the realization of his childhood dream to play in the NFL.
McClendon Jerrell Curtis Career Wins
Curtis has appeared in 5 NFL games during his professional career, all with the Seattle Seahawks organization. While he has not yet achieved starting role victories at the professional level, his sustained presence on NFL rosters demonstrates his ability to compete at the highest level of American football. His collegiate career was significantly more decorated, featuring multiple championship-level performances and individual accolades.
College Highlights
At the FCS level with the Chattanooga Mocs, Curtis established himself as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the country. His signature achievement came in 2022 when he was named an FCS All-American and won the SoCon Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference’s best blocker. He earned first-team All-Southern Conference honors three consecutive times from 2020 through 2022, starting every game at guard during each of those seasons. His remarkable consistency and durability characterized his collegiate career, as he rarely missed game action despite the physical demands of the offensive line position.
Professional Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Curtis has appeared in 5 career NFL games with the Seattle Seahawks. He has yet to record starts or significant statistical contributions at the professional level, but his continued employment within the league indicates teams see potential in his developmental trajectory.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Position | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Seahawks) | 5 | Offensive Guard | 2023–2024 |
| NCAA Division I FCS (Chattanooga) | Multiple | Offensive Guard/Tackle | 2017–2022 |
McClendon Jerrell Curtis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Curtis’s family background, including his parents and any family connections to professional athletics, is not extensively documented in available sources. He was raised in Harrison, Tennessee, and attended Chattanooga Central High School, indicating strong ties to the greater Chattanooga region throughout his life. His decision to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga suggests a preference to remain close to his roots and family support system during his collegiate career.
Personal Life
Curtis maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @mcclendon_curtis. He remains focused on his football career as he continues to pursue opportunities at the NFL level. The demanding nature of his journeyman path through multiple teams demonstrates his resilience and dedication to achieving sustained success in professional football. His ability to remain in the NFL despite roster transitions reflects both his physical tools and his mental toughness as he works toward establishing himself as a reliable professional player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season saw Curtis continue his journeyman professional journey through multiple organizations. He began the year with the Arizona Cardinals after signing a reserve/future contract in January, but was waived during training camp in August. He then joined the New York Giants practice squad but was released less than two weeks later. His 2025 season ultimately took shape with a return to the Las Vegas Raiders organization in October, where he joined the practice squad for the second time in his career. He was released again shortly after but re-signed in December, indicating the Raiders’ continued interest in his development.
The pattern of multiple transactions reflects the challenging nature of maintaining an NFL roster spot as a young offensive lineman without draft capital. Curtis’s continued opportunities demonstrate that NFL talent evaluators recognize his tools and potential, even if he has not yet secured a consistent role. His 2025 season was characterized by adaptation to different coaching systems, teammates, and playbook installations across three different organizations.
Looking ahead, Curtis’s career trajectory depends on his ability to secure a more stable situation with an organization that provides consistent playing time and development opportunities. His collegiate credentials and positional versatility remain attractive attributes, while his 5 games of NFL experience provide a foundation upon which to build. The 2026 season will likely represent an important chapter in his ongoing quest to establish himself as a dependable professional player.