Inside The Huskies

With McMillan Out, Polk Showed Off Washington's Depth

The Huskies' third receiver reminded everyone just how good the passing attack can be.

Roman Tomashoff

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Washington was missing receiver Jalen McMillan, but the nation's best passing attack remained dominant in a 59-32 win over the California Bears, thanks largely to the efforts of receiver Ja'Lynn Polk.

Earlier in the year, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb stressed that Polk would be a No. 1 receiver for most teams in the nation and the sophomore from Lufkin, Texas, continues to show why. 

On Saturday night, Polk finished his day with a team-high 127 yards on a career-best 8 catches to go with the 2 scores. 

The Huskies have made a strong case through the first month of the season for having the best group of receivers in the country and, with Polk assuming more of a lead role with McMillan's absence, took Cal's pass defense apart.

"J.P. is one of the toughest, strongest kids we have on the football team," Grubb said. "That type of mindset, leadership and ability, we know when a play has to be made and the ball has to come his way, we know J.P. is going to make the play."

Throughout Washington's first four games, Polk has made strong, acrobatic catches. His 21 catches and 427 yards rank second on the team, while his 4 touchdown catches are tied with Odunze and senior tight end Jack Westover for the lead.

The national media is beginning to take notice of what Polk is doing, too. On the Pro Football Focus NFL Stock Exchange podcast, host Connor Rogers had high praise for him.

"He is an interesting player," Rogers said. "I think Polk is way more explosive than McMillan and there are things that Polk does with the ball in his hands that neither [Odunze or McMillan] can do. Having a third option like Polk makes it honestly impossible for a defense to stop this group." 

After the Cal game, coach Kalen DeBoer said that he expects McMillan to return this week when the Huskies travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats. Yet with Polk continuing to assert himself, McMillan could take another week off. 

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Roman Tomashoff
ROMAN TOMASHOFF

I've followed the Huskies for my entire life, and to be in a position where I get to cover them full-time is nothing short of an honor. After graduating from Lasell University in 2019, I moved to Seattle to pursue my dream of working in sports media. While writing for the Husky Haul, I also covered local sports for the Everett Daily Herald before the COVID-19 pandemic. After being hired by Realdawg.com in February of 2021, I also transitioned into doing a lot of entertainment writing, as I work on a variety of magazines as a contributing writer for Centennial Media, and have also contributed to Emmy Magazine, as well as Walt Disney Television Studios. 

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