GWHS alum does
senior duty at Syracuse

By Joe Mason
For the Times

Jameel McClain probably could spend a few hours talking about his accomplishments.
McClain, a 2004 graduate of George Washington High School, has put up some outstanding numbers while playing for the Syracuse University football team.
Last year, in his junior campaign, the defensive lineman led the Big East conference and ranked 18th in the nation with 9.5 sacks. He was also second in the conference by making 14.5 tackles for losses, a stat that ranked him 28th in the nation in that category.
For his efforts, McClain was named to the All Big East second team and was a semifinalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, an honor given annually to the best defensive lineman in the nation.
Those stats are bringing him recognition as he gets ready for his senior campaign at Syracuse, where he’s an All-America candidate and could be in the running for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually to the nation’s outstanding defensive player in college football.
Those achievements are pretty remarkable.
So are his accomplishments in the classroom.
McClain is working toward graduating next May with a dual major in communications/rhetorical studies and sociology. And since his sophomore year he has maintained a 3.8 grade-point average and has consistently made the dean’s list.
You’d think McClain would have a lot to talk about. There’s just one problem — he doesn’t like to talk about the past.
McClain believes he’s successful because he’s always thinking about the future.
"All that stuff is nice and all, but it doesn’t mean a whole lot right now," McClain said. "They’re also all individual goals, and I’ve learned that it’s not too much fun to celebrate by yourself. I’d trade in all of those stats for a few more wins.
"You don’t work hard so you can look at your numbers," McClain said. "You play football to win. It’s a team game. And if I’m getting sacks, it’s because the (defensive backs) are doing a great job in coverage. If I make a tackle, it’s because someone else took care of the blockers. And if our safety has twelve interceptions, it means we’re doing our job on the line. Football is a team game, and if you just look at the stats and pat yourself on the back, you’re playing the wrong game."
It’s pretty obvious McClain is playing the right sport. But last year his strong season couldn’t carry the team, which finished 4-8 overall and won just one of its seven games in Big East play.
Those numbers, more than the lofty stats, inspire McClain. Which is why he spent the entire offseason in the weight room and on the track.
"This is the year, man, that everything pays off," McClain said. "Syracuse has a very proud tradition, and we did everything in our power to restore that tradition. We have the hardest-working coaching staff around, we have dedicated seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen.
"I want to win this year, for the seniors who have been here trying to build a winner, down to the freshman, who are preparing to start college life. This year is for everyone in the program," he said.
The Orangemen have been hard at work. The team wasn’t ranked in the preseason’s top 25, but McClain has big plans for the season.
But win or lose, he’ll have plenty of support from Philadelphia.
"I love being out here, but I miss the people back home," McClain said. "My aunt and uncle, Gloria Smith and Greg Smith, they’re huge supporters, they keep me going and keep me focused. Without them, I wouldn’t be playing and going to school. They’re the reason for my success and everything.
"Then, my older brother Andrew Jackson is a huge help, and my boy, my best friend since grade school, is Andre Odom. And of course there’s (Washington High coach) Ron Cohen," McClain said. "I honestly can say I’ve worked very hard to be where I’m at, but without those people, I wouldn’t be where I’m at. I’ve been very fortunate to have people like that around to push me when I need that push."
McClain has pushed himself a lot. He had come to the Syracuse team 20 pounds lighter, a lot slower and a lot weaker than his playing days at Washington High. Now, heading into his final season with the Orangemen, he is considered one of the top college players in the nation.
That certainly changed his perceptive of the game.
It’s also a credit to his work ethic.
"He was a good player, but he’s the perfect example of someone who worked himself to become better," Cohen said. "He’s a product of hard work. It’s great to see what he’s accomplished, and I think he’s still capable of getting better. No one works harder than him."
Because of his improvement, football is more than a means toward an education. McClain would like to think he has a chance to play for pay in a year or so.
"I think everyone who plays the game, their ultimate goal is to play in the NFL," McClain said. "You don’t study education and then decide you don’t want to be a teacher. You don’t play college football if you don’t want to play professionally.
"And I want to play, I want to get drafted, but I realize that’s something I can’t control," he continued. "But I can control how much work I put into football and I can control how much work I put into studying. I want to play in the NFL, but if that doesn’t work out, I want to be ready for everything.
"I’m proud of where I’m at right now," he said. "If everything works out, I’ll be very happy. But if I have to get a job after graduation, I think I’ll be happy doing that, too." ••