ECU Adds Blue-Chip Safety DJ McLendon to 2026 Recruiting Class
( 247 Sports )
East Carolina has further strengthened its 2026 defensive back haul with the addition of Djimon “DJ” McLendon, a three-star safety from Tucker High School in Georgia. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound McLendon is one of the most decorated recruits in ECU’s class so far, boasting a lengthy offer list that includes some of the nation’s premier programs.
McLendon emerged as a national recruit after his sophomore year, collecting more than 30 scholarship offers from schools like Alabama, Michigan, NC State, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Missouri, Michigan State, UCF, Vanderbilt, and others. He took official visits to UConn, Georgia Southern, and ECU in June, ultimately choosing to commit to the Pirates following his trip to Greenville.
The Georgia native is rated as a top-100 overall player in the state for the 2026 cycle and sits among the top 50 safeties nationally, per 247Sports. He holds an 87 overall grade and gives East Carolina a dynamic playmaker in the secondary with a high ceiling.
Despite being slightly undersized for a traditional safety, McLendon makes up for it with elite physicality, range, and awareness on the back end. As a junior at Tucker, he recorded 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups. He helped lead the Tigers to a 7-4 record and a 6-2 mark in Georgia’s Region 5-AAAA before a tough playoff loss to Ware County.
McLendon becomes ECU’s 10th verbal commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle and the second safety from the state of Georgia, joining Camden County standout David Coleman Jr. He’s also the fourth Peach State prospect overall to join the class, alongside wide receiver Dawson Quarterman (Grayson High School) and linebacker Chad Fairchild (Lovejoy High School).
Safeties coach Damon Magazu and corners coach Tarron Williams led McLendon’s recruitment, along with defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge. McLendon brings versatility, a high motor, and SEC-caliber traits to a Pirates defense looking to reload in the secondary.