The New England Patriots are taking a look at another option for their secondary while their cornerback depth gets tested during training camp.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reported Friday morning that former Southern Illinois cornerback Jeremiah McClendon was working out for New England.
“Former Saints and Southern Illinois defensive back Jeremiah McClendon works out for Patriots today, per a league source,” Wilson wrote.
The workout comes at an interesting point in camp.
Carlton Davis III remained absent from practice Thursday after also missing Wednesday’s walkthrough, according to Pats Pulpit’s Brian Hines. A reason for Davis’ absence has not been announced.
The Patriots also watched Charles Woods leave Thursday’s practice with members of the training staff.
That leaves McClendon with a opportune situation to potentially turn a workout into another NFL roster spot.
McClendon Coming Off All-American Season
McClendon, 23, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints following the 2026 NFL draft.
The 6-foot, 185-pound corner made his case with a productive final season at Southern Illinois.
The school credited McClendon with 59 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 12 games in 2025. His 14 pass breakups tied Southern Illinois’ single-season program record.
McClendon earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors and received recognition from multiple All-America teams. He was a second-team Associated Press and Stats Perform FCS All-American while landing on the FCS Football Central third team.
He spent two seasons at Southern Illinois after previously playing at Charleston Southern and Florida International.
The Saints gave McClendon his first NFL shot after the draft, but his stay in New Orleans lasted roughly a month.
The team waived him May 27 in a corresponding roster move.
He has remained a free agent since then.
Patriots’ Cornerback Depth Faces Early Training Camp Test
New England entered camp with a sturdy top of its cornerback depth chart.
Christian Gonzalez, Davis and Marcus Jones returned after playing central roles in the defense during last season’s Super Bowl run. The Patriots’ official website called cornerback arguably one of the strongest position groups on the roster entering camp.
The competition behind them is considerably less settled.
Fifth-round rookie Karon Prunty is fighting for a role alongside veterans Woods and Kindle Vildor and several other young corners. Prunty has already received additional opportunities during camp as New England evaluates its options behind the starters.
Davis’ continued absence and Woods’ early exit Thursday create another reason to explore available depth.
McClendon brings no NFL regular-season experience, but his production at Southern Illinois gives New England another young defensive back worth evaluating before preseason action begins.
A workout doesn’t guarantee a signing, though for McClendon, it offers another NFL occasion only months after his first ended in New Orleans.
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