Inside The Huskies

Top Returning Huskies: At No. 4, McMillan Back to Prove His Value

Washington junior receiver put up numbers in 2022 but wasn't satisfied with his production.

Lars Hanson

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Jalen McMillan didn’t get the respect he felt was deserved last season, despite being the Pac-12 co-leader in receiving touchdowns.

Heading into this season as a junior, McMillan has a sharper, clearer mind as one half of Washington’s exemplary wide- receiver duo, which includes Rome Odunze. The junior from Fresno is No. 4 on our list counting down the top 10 returning Husky players.

Prior to the start of last season, McMillan lost his grandfather Harle Gene McMillan. It served as a heavy loss and motivation to push through the hardest moments of last season. 

A week before UW faced Texas in the Alamo Bowl, he announced his decision to return for another college season. McMillan finished 2022 with 79 receptions, second most of any receiver in the conference, and he was one of only four players from the Pac-12 to enjoy a 1,000-yard season. Yet, he felt there was more to deliver.

“I know there’s more in the tank for me,” McMillan said.

McMillan cited a need to improve his yards after catch numbers in 2023. Last season, he had the second most YAC in the conference with 430 yards, behind Arizona’s Jacob Cowing.

However, McMillan finished in a three-way tie for the second most drops of any receiver in the Pac-12 with seven. Fellow Huskies Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk combined for seven dropped passes themselves.

For the offense to reach the heights it expects, McMillan and the rest of the receivers have to be as sure-handed as possible this season.

“Zero question, it is competitive every single thing that we do,” UW wide receivers’ coach JaMarcus Shephard said in fall camp.

At Pac-12 Media Day in July, UW coach Kalen DeBoer noted how McMillan was up to 23 miles per hour at his top-end speed, but Shephard still gives a slight edge to Odunze, when it comes to who has the fastest 40-yard dash time in the room.

“Eating hot dogs, it gets competitive,” Shephard said. “Showing up on time is starting to get competitive. That’s the beauty of it. It’s competitive in all senses. Not just on the field. Hey, I want to be the best one in studying and knowing the film. I think that piece of it is flowing over into all the things we do.”

Not only is McMillan expected to make a major contribution in the offense, there’s a chance he could play a key role as a punt returner for the UW with senior Giles Jackson sidelined with a thumb injury.

When asked if he’ll break a return for a touchdown, McMillan drew laughs when he said, “I want to do it the Oregon game.” 

The junior is adament he will get at least one score on special teams this fall.

With each of DeBoer’s Sioux Falls national championship teams, a special-teams touchdown proved to be a key turning point. If McMillan can’t get one against the Ducks, he may have to save it for an even more critical part of the season.

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Lars Hanson
LARS HANSON

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