Jalen McMillan Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

School: Washington

Class: Redshirt Junior

Position: WR

HT: 6’1

WT: 192 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #55

Background: Jalen McMillan was a 4-star wide receiver and a top 50 player in the class of 2020. McMillan is from Fresno, California, and played for San Joaquin Memorial High School. He lettered in baseball and track & field while being a star on the football field. He was one of the best players in California and a top receiver in the class as well. In 50 high school games, McMillan accounted for over 5,000 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. He led his team to the CIF Division 1-A finals and was named first team all-state. Jalen was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl. He committed before his senior season, choosing Washington over Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and others.

College: By 2021, Jalen was a regular starter for the Huskies. He was named the team’s most outstanding freshman and was consistently their most reliable target. 2022 was McMillan’s real breakout season. He was named an All-PAC 12 honorable mention and some outlets even had him on the first team. Jalen McMillan had an up-and-down 2023 due to injury. He started 7 games but was hobbled in others due to injury.

Strengths: McMillan has incredible speed and can get around the defensive back and outside the numbers in a hurry. His speed affects how defenses play. He can burn safeties if there is not a defender in the deep third. However, if defenses play too soft, he has no problem sitting in the open spaces and letting the football come to him. Throughout his time at Washington, McMillan has developed a diverse route tree that makes him one of the more well-rounded wide receivers in the class. Jalen can also make catches away from his body. He does well to highpoint the football and reel in some tough catches with strong hands and long arms. He is most dangerous as a deep threat where he can gash defenses for chunk plays. He displays wonderful technique tracking the ball and showing hands at the last possible second. He has excellent body control and can make catches off balance and in tight windows.

Weaknesses: McMillan’s lean frame may prove to be an issue in the NFL. He has never had an issue in the Pac-12, but going against the best defensive backs in the NFL will be a much more difficult task. This lack of size leads to him getting bullied closer to the line of scrimmage and when he does get the ball, he is brought down rather easily. His injuries are also something to monitor. Jalen has not been 100% in quite a while so he will need to show that he can remain healthy.

Conclusion: Jalen McMillan can be a real deep threat in the NFL if he stays healthy. Putting on some pounds of muscle may help him with that as well as being able to succeed in those battles of physicality.

Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile

Ideal Role: Y Receiver

Best Team Fits: BUF, DEN, PIT

Player Comparison: Jerry Jeudy

Player Grade: 82.7