A physical, high-upside Saluki linebacker still earning his snaps
McCalip is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker for Southern Illinois who arrived as a redshirt from Bishop Kenny, where he was a two-way standout with 210 career tackles, 10 forced fumbles, and nine interceptions. In 2024, he played in three games and logged two tackles versus Murray State, and he also earned Saluki Special Teams Scout Player of the Year honors in 2023. The profile here is clear: rangy size, defensive playmaking bloodlines, and a gritty, high-energy football background that suggests a developmental fit for teams valuing upside, toughness, and special teams value.
