On Monday, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham announced that senior receiver Malik McClain would utilize a redshirt season in 2024 and return to the team next fall.
McClain, a 6-foot-4 wideout from Alabama, joined the team through the transfer portal after stops with Florida State and Penn State.
“He has a year left,” Kenny Dillingham told SunDevilSource’s Chris Karpman. “He’s a great player, but he’s still learning the system. For the future, it’s a win-win.”
Prior to his time at Arizona State, the senior wideout started his career at Florida State, where he spent two seasons as a Seminole. During his time with the program, McClain notched 33 catches for 396 yards and five scores. He then elected to transfer to Penn State ahead of the 2023 season, where he snagged six catches for 71 yards and a score.
Coming out of IMG Academy in the Class of 2021, McClain was listed as a four-star prospect by the 247Sports index and the nation’s 283rd-ranked player. He also checked in as the 38th-ranked player at his position and the 40th-ranked player in the state of Florida.
In his evaluation, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting, Andrew Ivins, compared McClain to Houston Texans’ wideout Nico Collins, who finds himself in the midst of his best year as a professional.
“A big body with long arms and long legs,” Ivins said. “All of his 6-4 listing with a promising frame that will allow him to add muscle in college. A vertical threat on the outside that can adjust his body to make acrobatic grabs. Great at picking up yards after the catch given verified 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. Can throw a block out on the edge when asked to be a decoy. Will likely work his way into the rotation at a Power 5 school after a year or two on campus before developing into a starter. Has the potential to make an NFL roster at some point down the line.”
While it has taken some time for McClain to find his way in collegiate football, Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State’s patience will likely be rewarded in 2025.
