Maximizing his chances made Malik McClain got ready for an increased
On New Year’s Day, Arizona State compared against Texas in the Peach Bowl of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in Atlanta. The hit game ended in a heartbreaking double overtime 39-31 defeat for the Sun Devils; however, they would not have actually had the ability to bind the game in policy without the aid of major playmakers.
ASU tracked 24-8 with simply under seven minutes to play, and no goals on the board. The group looked like a side outclassed by its SEC counterparts and didn’t have any chance to proceed. From the Longhorns’ 42 line, the Sun Devils dealt with 4th-and-2. All-American running back Webcam Skattebo was lined up to receive what is usually a routine handoff to keep the drive alive.
Offending Organizer Marcus Arroyo instead called an extraordinary play.
Skattebo caught the pitch from Leavitt and lofted a pass to redshirt senior pass receiver Malik McClain, who was darting downfield rather of obstructing. McClain cut within on the post path and caught the goal pass that sparked a fourth-quarter return from ASU with simply 6:31 to play. Skattebo’s tossing the TD was a surprise to the millions of viewers who caught the action live; nevertheless, McClain being the recipient of just his 2nd conclusion of the year with the Sun Devils is possibly much more exceptional.
Skattebo captured the pitch from Leavitt and lofted a pass to redshirt senior pass receiver Malik McClain, who was darting downfield instead of blocking. McClain cut inside on the post path and caught the goal pass that sparked a fourth-quarter return from ASU with simply 6:31 to play. Skattebo’s tossing the TD was a surprise to the millions of viewers who captured the action live; however, McClain being the recipient of simply his second completion of the year is maybe much more impressive.
McClain caught simply 2 passes in all of 2024, both of which came in postseason games. He signed up a 43-yard conclusion versus Iowa State in the Huge 12 Championship game, giving him 85 lawns on the season.
McClain invested the majority of the season on the sidelines, playing in simply 6 games and 4 regular-season contests to maintain his redshirt status after moving to the Sun Devils post-spring, which indicated he had some catching up to do, it was decided in between McClain and the coaching staff that he would intend to retain eligibility for the upcoming 2025 season.
“I think I discovered a lot simply sitting back and looking at whatever in 2015,” McClain kept in mind. “I wasn’t in there physically, but I remained in there psychologically. So I think that helped me with my psychological side of the game. Just getting ready for this season of understanding what I got ta do on my psychological side of the field.”
The choice to redshirt McClain wasn’t a hard one, considering the long-lasting goals for himself and the rest of the group.
“I had some things going on myself, so it was just really offering myself a possibility,” McClain noted on how redshirting assisted him.
For many beyond their freshman season, redshirting can look like an aggravating or frustrating blip in a collegiate athlete’s career, typically driven by injuries or the absence of necessity for their services from the coaching staff. For McClain, those olden adversaries didn’t stop him from affecting the game when he was needed.
He was hired in the postseason after junior pass receiver Jordyn Tyson went down with a collarbone injury against Arizona on the final gameday of the regular season, opening area for McClain to move in and make an effect.
For McClain, his function heading into 2025 is far more specified. Throughout fall camp, he practically specifically experimented the first string, making it clear his role with the Sun Devils will see him spending more time on the gridiron.
McClain’s been able to deal with pass receivers coach Hines Ward over the last 12 months to continue sharpening his skills as a receiver. Mastering the fundamentals has actually been the niche for McClain’s development, beginning with his ability to track the football when making grabs.
“Getting confidence, tracking the ball, and things like that,” McClain said. “I believe that I have gotten better, the tennis ball maker I’ve been on it, simply going ball-to-hand, ball-to-hand.
Significant. I think being here for this year, being with Hines, I have actually dealt with things I have not worked on with any other coach. I’ve done capturing drills with him, he’s taught me coverages, like I’m starting to just get the feel for simply football one-on-one, the fundamentals, and that’s my foundation.”
Structure on his individual foundation, McClain has also handled a more significant management role within the Sun Devil cast. He’s now the longest tenured pass receiver in the locker space, with previous stops at Florida State and Penn State. With his experience, McClain can lead by example for more youthful teammates.
“I sort of focus on me,” McClain stated. “If I’m doing my part and I’m putting it in, I’m studying, you know, I’m seeing extra film, I’m getting extra treatment. That’s my role, being an example, just for myself, however if someone else wants to follow the lead.
“Everyone has their own personality … it’s simply getting utilized to it, you know, connected with guys on a various level, it’s all various, so you know you got to approach it in a different way.”
McClain’s college career, disallowing 2024, has been stable for a plethora of factors. He balanced the exact quantity of backyards per game during his 2 years with the Seminoles at 15.8. Publishing 190 yards and 206 yards in his real freshman and sophomore years. For all three years of his profession before coming to ASU, he posted approximately 12 lawns per catch, bouncing between 11.8-12.1.
In his preparation for the season and into the year, McClain aims to be constant in his enhancement and advancement as well.
“From spring. I think we’ve been simply improving and better and better at every camp,” McClain kept in mind. “So our niche is really improving throughout the season also. So that’s actually 12 months of simply improving each month. So by the time we get to our last game, we’ve really been improving throughout the season.”
McClain’s journey has actually seen him wear for a few of the most noteworthy programs in college football. In all 3 locations, he’s found methods to make an effect on the game and his group. The distinction for McClain now, nevertheless, can be attributed to his teammates and the culture he’s accepted at ASU. Considering that he’s gotten here, McClain has actually had no issue fitting into the locker room in Tempe, and with his enhanced role as a leader, the bond with his colleagues will just enhance his performance this year.
“It’s the guys, they’re a real family,” McClain included. “From day one, actually day one, it’s constantly been here. The First two people I fulfilled were Jeff (Sims) or Chamon (Metayer). We linked easily, like, off the bat. So, you understand, they’re my guys, and it’s simply, I met the entire team, and it was simply our household.”