TOWSON — Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl fullback Le’Ron McClain has lost a lot of weight and body fat, getting much leaner.
He looked quick and trim during his youth football camp Monday at Baltimore Lutheran School.
"I promise you I feel great," McClain said. "I feel like I’m where I need to be at. I’m back down like I need to be. I’m in great shape. I got my mind right, shout out to my trainer."
McClain has been working with former University of Alabama track athlete Roland Burks, who has operated as the former Crimson Tide standout’s personal trainer.
"First and foremost, I really stress the nutrition aspect and combine that with the fitness part," Burks said. "We use his body as his best machine. It came down to training and how he ate. The dude is transformed from head to toe.
"He wasn’t really introduced to the nutrition side until this year and what to eat and when to eat. No cheating. He’s eating right. He did a lot of running. He’s worked extremely hard. He put in the work."
McClain agreed with an estimate of his weight being in the low 250 to high 240 range after playing at a beefy 260 pounds in the past and perhaps even heavier.
"You’re close, you’re in the area, I’m way down," McClain said. "I feel good, man. This is the best I’ve been feeling in a long time."
McClain will be an unrestricted free agent and is expected to be in demand.
It’s considered unlikely that he’ll return to Baltimore, but he’s open to the idea if the Ravens are competitive with other offers and he gets the opportunity to carry the football more.
Two seasons ago, McClain rushed for a career-high 902 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"The opportunity that’s coming, hopefully something will happen by Friday and we’ll see what’s going on," McClain said.
McClain is overjoyed that the owners have given up on their initial push for extra right of first refusal designations for their own free agents.
"It’s just a blessing, all the hard work has paid off for four years to get to this opportunity," McClain said. "I just want to find out where I’m going to be playing next year."
NFL teams will have a three-day exclusive negotiating window to talk to their own free agents once the lockout is over and a new collective bargaining agreement is ratified.
McClain is going to meet with his agent Todd France in Atlanta on Wednesday.
"My agent has a game plan," McClain said. "I’m going to fly down and get prepared for it. We’ll have a game plan when I leave Atlanta. I’m open to anything. I’m ready for the opportunity. It’s crazy, man. I’m in a whole mindset where I’m ready. I’m ready to play."
McClain had fun teaching the kids some football drills during his two-day camp.
"The kids are having a good time," McClain said. "There’s some great coaches out here teaching them football. I didn’t have this opportunity as a child. I want to take full advantage of this.
"I’m proud of them. This is what I love doing, being around football and being around these kids. Seeing them out here and they want to be in my position playing in the NFL for a great team like the Baltimore Ravens or somewhere else."
