The Washington passing game has been explosive all season, with a three-headed receiver attack. Their trio at wide receiver has gathered plenty of NFL Draft attention, including Jalen McMillan.
While not receiving the recognition that others do in the Huskies offense, McMillan has had a productive career. However, he has had a frustrating 2023 impacted by a niggling injury. Is McMillan NFL Draft-eligible, and how highly could the receiver be drafted if he declares?
When Can Jalen McMillan Declare for the NFL Draft?
McMillan is eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, having played his junior year for the Huskies in 2023. He has played four seasons in college football, meaning he hits the requirement to enter the draft.
College prospects have to be out of high school for a minimum of three years before they meet the criteria to declare for the draft and attempt to turn pro.
McMillan has been at Washington since 2020, when he committed out of San Joaquin Memorial High School as a four-star prospect.
He had a gentle start to his career playing as a freshman in 2020, competing in three games during the COVID-19-shortened season. McMillan’s Washington career didn’t truly take off until QB Michael Penix Jr. arrived out of the transfer portal in 2022.
Penix’s arrival coincided with McMillan’s most productive year of his career, having 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns that season.
His production dipped in 2023 in the Huskies’ explosive offense as targets were spread around between the receiver room. Both WR Rome Odunze and WR Ja’Lynn Polk had career years, while McMillan has recorded 39 receptions for 526 yards and four touchdowns.
It has been a stressful season for McMillan. After starting the season with 20 receptions, 311 yards, and three touchdowns in the first three games of the season, an injury limited his production. McMillan missed time during the 2023 season as he played through a knee injury.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Declarations Tracker
He suffered the injury against Michigan State in September 2023, impacting his season ever since. It lead to him leaving the Oregon and Stanford games early while taking limited reps in several other games.
The receiver sits just inside the top 100 of the PFN 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and has a chance to be selected on Day 2 if he declares and has a solid pre-draft process.