While wide receivers who’ve managed four whole receptions over half a season are not typically viewed as terribly impactful, Utah’s Munir McClain has a chance to be a legitimate difference-maker.
You’d expect so, anyway, from a guy averaging more than 33 yards per catch.
On a team that has been desperate to push the ball downfield in chunk plays all season, McClain’s big-play potential has stood out — albeit in minute doses to this point.
Now, though, with highly-regarded transfer Mycah Pittman officially out for the season, McClain has been elevated on the depth chart and should have newfound chances to make an impact.
“Now is his opportunity,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham.
McClain’s first foray in the spotlight came in the Weber State game when, with two starting wideouts on the shelf, he racked up 92 receiving yards on just three catches — including a highlight-reel 49-yarder down the sideline that entailed breaking several tackles.
Then, this past weekend vs. Cal, he accounted for almost one-third of the Utes’ yards through the air with a single 41-yard haul.
“It was the only rep he had in the game, the deep ball, that one he caught,” Whittingham noted.
Given what a weapon the 6-foot-4, 217-pounder has proven to be when he plays, the obvious question is why he doesn’t play more.
“He’s got to be healthy,” offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig explained matter-of-factly.
To his point, McClain was spotted in a walking boot in the aftermath of the Weber game, and then didn’t take the field again until that one play against the Bears.
“You know, I play football — it’s a tough sport. And I’m just doing the best I can so I can be out there competing with my team,” McClain said. “… Of course, yes, it’s frustrating [getting hurt and missing time], but I try to stay confident and be optimistic in knowing that I will come back and things will get better.”
His presence on the field — when it happens — makes his teammates confident and optimistic, because they’re all well-aware of his penchant for big plays.
It also makes them amused to some degree, because they’re equally aware of his reputation for being less than fleet on account of his size.
“He’s ‘deceivingly fast,’” quarterback Bryson Barnes said, smiling. “Coach Lud harps on him a little bit for jogging all the time. [But] it’s interesting to see how fast he actually is when he gets that ball in his hands.”
One of McClain’s fellow wideouts agreed with the sentiment.
“Munir’s a dog! We call him ‘Big Mu’ in the receiver room, but he’s really fast,” Mikey Matthews added with a laugh. “People just don’t think he’s fast, but he really moves and just catches people off guard and he always gets those deep passes on them.”
Utah tight end Munir McClain (4) walks off the field after an NCAA football game against Florida on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Utah 29-26. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
McClain’s heard the “not fast” criticism before.
He said he simply doesn’t bother dwelling on it — especially because he knows he pretty frequently can outrun whoever is shadowing him.
Barnes, who played the entire Cal game at quarterback except for when Sione Vaki took a star-making role as a wildcat, acknowledged the potential for McClain to be a big asset in the passing game going forward.
“He’s a bigger body — he played tight end here for a little bit and made the transition back to receiver,” Barnes explained. “So when you have a bigger, heavier guy like that, being able to move the way he does, you know, it definitely creates mismatches on the perimeter with the cornerbacks who are a lot lighter than he is.”
Big Mu is excited to get more reps and more routes, calling it a great feeling to be trusted to step up.
Beyond his size, he has one other unique characteristic for a wide receiver: humility.
Though it’s a position known for being populated by athletes with supreme confidence and egos, for being practically synonymous with the term “diva,” McClain is the opposite of self-aggrandizing.
Asked how it is he gets so open, he didn’t invoke his blazing speed or route-running acumen or some innate feel for finding gaps in coverage …
He credited his teammates, of course.
“It’s a team sport. It starts up front with the O-block, and then the quarterback giving a good ball,” McClain said. “So it’s not just me out there doing it.”
Perhaps not. But there is an expectation that he can be more of a factor in unlocking the Utes’ passing attack.
Whittingham conceded it was a good point when asked if McClain has perhaps been a bit underutilized at this stage. Big plays, remember? His four receptions have gone for 33, 10, 49, and 41 yards, respectively.
With a pathway cleared for more playing time, it’ll come down to one factor at this point: You can’t catch passes while in the medical tent.
“What his issue has been is staying healthy. He’s had a hard time with nagging injuries and things that have kept him off the field,” said Whittingham. “If he can stay on the field consistently, he’s a big-time athlete and really could be a plus for us.”
