SXU Student-Athlete Named NAIA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Saint Xavier University (SXU) football player and computer science major Tajhaun McClellan was named the NAIA Football Defensive Player of the Week on September 22, 2025. In a spectacular performance against Madonna University, McClellan tied the single-game program record for interceptions with three and led the Cougars to a 21-7 victory.
McClellan tied the record set initially by former standout Tom Bijak '03, who collected three interceptions in a 48-3 victory over Urbana University on September 28, 2002. McClellan is just the 15th player in program history to earn NAIA Player of the Week honors and the fourth to win NAIA Defensive Player of the Week.
"It's an honor to be named the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, and I'm truly blessed to receive this recognition. At the same time, this isn't just about me -- it was a team effort. Our defense as a whole deserves credit, especially our defensive line. They created pressure and forced the quarterback to get the ball out quickly, which gave me the chance to make plays. When everyone does their job, good things like this happen," McClellan said.
The junior finished the game with six total tackles and a pair of pass breakups. In three games this season, McClellan led Saint Xavier with four interceptions and six pass breakups. He also had 19 tackles and a tackle for loss (TFL) of four yards. He is tied for the most interceptions in the NAIA along with Isaiah Hasten from Benedictine College.
When being recruited out of high school, McClellan sought a football program at an institution that would enable him to pursue his passion for computer science. He was drawn to the close-knit community that SXU provides, which has led to his success both on and off the field.
"The support people show each other and the relationships across campus made it feel like a family atmosphere, which is something I knew I wanted to be part of. Since coming to SXU, I've grown into a more confident player. Each year, I've been able to improve, and that comes from trusting my teammates and knowing they trust me as well," McClellan said.
For McClellan, excelling in the classroom is just as important as excelling on the football field. The computer science major also balances three minors: finance, exercise science, and business management -- all in addition to his football career.
"Growing up, my mom always taught my siblings and me the importance of education. Sports don't last forever, so it was important to excel in more than one area of life and have something to lean on outside of athletics. For me, working hard in the classroom is just as important as performing on the field. It pushed me to grow, helped me see my potential, and allowed me to make the people who believe in me proud," said McClellan.
His goal after graduating is to become a sports data analyst, a career that would enable him to stay connected to football while utilizing his coding skills to help organizations track player performance, health, and fitness, maximizing players' potential.