Everything is Still on The Table For UW Receiver McMillan Regarding Future
Jalen McMillan has a big decision to make a month from now. The University of Washington wide receiver can declare for the NFL draft or choose to return for a final Husky season next year after a series of injuries interrupted this one.
A lot hinges on how McMillan and the UW fare against Texas in the Sugar Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan. 1 and, if the UW wins, in the national championship game a week later in Houston.
"It depends on how I do with these next two games," McMillan said after Wednesday's practice. "I think it's a good situation if I stay or if I leave."
After opening with 20 catches for 311 yards and 3 touchdowns in two and a half games, McMillan injured his knee at Michigan State and either missed games or played briefly for the next two months., going without a reception.
McMillan tried to return for the UW's marquee regular- season game against Oregon on Oct. 14, but he played just seven snaps in the first half.
After the Huskies defeated the eighth-ranked Ducks 36-33 at home, the Fresno, California, native played 18 snaps — 12 against Stanford, over the next four games.
Asked what he had learned about himself throughout this ordeal, McMillan said, "Just to be patient."
In the Pac-12 championship game, he finished with 9 catches for 131 yards — just his second 100-yard receiving game of the season — against the Ducks in Las Vegas.
McMillan had no intention of returning for 2024 when this season began. However, the injury reshaped his thinking, plus he's seen how teammate Rome Odunze improved his NFL prospects by coming back for another Husky season.
Whatever he decides, McMillan will have to make up his mind by Jan. 15, the last day players can declare for the upcoming draft.
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