The Washington Huskies have become one of the most dominant rosters in the entire country. Led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Husky squad is firing on all cylinders so far in 2023. As well as Penix has played, the true praise should go to the triumvirate of talented pass catchers who will all be taken in the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft: Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk.
NFL Draft: Kalen DeBoer Is Building A Juggernaut With The Washington Huskies
Head coach Kalen DeBoer is an ascending coach at the collegiate level, as he has quickly built up the Washington program to its typical heights of the Chris Petersen era (circa 2014-2019). Not only is his offense as fearsome as they come, but the defense is holding its own — even if the raw counting numbers are rough to look at.
The good news? Most weeks, it won’t matter how good or bad the defense plays. The offense can score 50+ points on any given week, allowing for some leeway on the other side of the ball. A key cog to the machine — well three cogs to be exact — are the starting wide receivers.
Washington could play its way into a Pac-12 title and a College Football Playoff berth. But what about the NFL ambitions for Odunze, McMillan, and Polk? Let’s take a deep dive and assess what grade each player currently holds on my Big Board.
Remember: With added testing at Pro Days and the NFL Combine, these grades are subject to change. Without further do, Rome Odunze will now take center stage.
Rome Odunze — Top-15 Grade (Middle Day 1)
It is no secret — Rome Odunze is a legitimate first-round prospect. Some were later to the party than others, but thanks to a jaw-dropping start to 2023, the sound level at the party is approaching “disorderly conduct” levels.
Odunze boasts prototypical WR1 size at 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds. More impressively, the Washington pass catcher moves like a player half his size. He is deceptively quick off the line of scrimmage and has never met a contested catch he didn’t think he could haul in.
From elite body control downfield to sure hands, Odunze checks nearly every box when it comes to a top-end wide receiver. The 21-year-old is second in the country in receiving yards (544), including 27 receptions and four touchdowns.
Odunze could be a little more consistent with his footwork as a route runner, as it would provide him with more separation at the next level. As great as he is in 50/50 situations, he must be able to create easy completions for his quarterback on Sundays.
I would bet on his physical traits and allow a professional coaching staff to smooth out his rough edges. Rome Odunze is firmly a Day 1 player and should be in the running for WR2 when draft day arrives next April.
Jalen McMillan — Top-40 Grade (Early Day 2)
Jalen McMillan gets overshadowed by Odunze often, but he is a bonafide Day 2 prospect in his own right. McMillan is less physically imposing, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds. But his lanky frame could lead to some added weight in an NFL strength training program.
However, McMillan is best suited as a slot specialist, even if he’s able to bulk up to 200 pounds. The reason? He is impossible to cover when given a free release by the defense. The Fresno native is a top-tier route runner who wastes zero movement when working his route.
McMillan is not the fastest guy in the world but he is shifty. For a slot receiver, that is usually a more valuable asset to have, anyway. What he lacks in physical upside, the 21-year-old more than makes up for with his advanced refinement. The Washington star is such a sudden mover, bringing underrated ability after the catch.
A savvy NFL offensive coordinator will have a rock-solid game plan for McMillan from the moment he is drafted. His skill set is invaluable on Sundays and earns him a strong Day 2 grade on my current Big Board. If he caps off another 1,000-yard campaign and performs well at the NFL Draft Combine, a late Round 1 projection is within reach.
Ja’Lynn Polk — Top-60 Grade (Middle Day 2)
The often forgotten about “third fiddle” is a former Texas Tech transfer, Ja’Lynn Polk. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound pass catcher spent one season with the Red Raiders before moving to the Pacific Northwest to open the 2021 slate.
Polk appeared sparingly in Year 1 with the Huskies, only corralling five passes in the process. The second season on campus is when he began making a name for himself. With 41 receptions, 694 yards, and six touchdowns, NFL Draft scouts started to take notice.
One month into the 2023 season, Polk’s draft stock is at an all-time high. He already has 21 catches and 427 yards, which is good for a yards-per-reception mark north of 20. Oh yeah, the redshirt sophomore also found the end zone four times in the first four games. Sound familiar?
Thanks to the COVID-impacted 2020 campaign and an untimely injury in 2021, Polk still has plenty of eligibility remaining. In a stacked wide receiver class, there’s a chance the ascending talent will return to Washington to be the unquestioned WR1 once Odunze and McMillan depart.
If Polk declares, then the Huskies will likely have three pass catchers taken in the first two rounds. If Michael Penix Jr. finds his way into the first-round discussion, this could go down as the most impressive draft class in years for the program.
First up, finishing off a Pac-12 title run. Next? Sending several players to the 2024 NFL Draft.
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