McLaren is a difficult player to place in a positional box. He lists fullback and defensive end on his Hudl page. They certainly are logical possibilities. The South Dakota State commitment might best fit as an H-Back in modern offenses that have phased out the fullback position. It’s a hybrid fullback/tight end. It emphasizes a player’s blocking ability while also making him a threat to run a route. McLaren’s 11th-grade highlight video is entertaining. He often starts out at fullback in an I-Formation. From there, he gashes defenses after a handoff or running routes. His blocking can be devastating. It feels like McLaren is just scratching the surface of his considerable upside, which should excite Trojan and Jackrabbit fans.

McLaren was a key piece for an Atlantic offensive backfield that played a key role in a playoff push by rushing for almost 3,200 yards. He chipped in 795 (8.5 YPC) and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season. Lining up at fullback, McLaren’s junior highlight video opens with a clip of him running over and then away from defenders on a long touchdown sprint. He’s a capable receiver and his blocking is advanced. With the fullback becoming more rare in offenses these days, McLaren has the skills to work as a tight end or H-Back in a lot of systems.