Arizona State lands transfer commitment from Penn State WR Malik McClain

Former Penn State wide receiver Malik McClain has committed to Arizona State after previously entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.

McClain made the announcement that he’d be heading to Tempe in a post on social media on Sunday night.

“Let’s do it, ready to work!!! #ForksUp #ActivateTheValley” wrote McClain on Twitter.

Last season, McClain played in 13 games and finished with just six catches for 71 yards and one touchdown. That was good for 10th on the offense overall and sixth among receivers.

McClain had also played the two years prior at Florida State. While with the Seminoles, he had 33 catches for 396 yards and five touchdowns at 12 yards per catch. He finished sixth and seventh respectively in receiving stats in his two years in Tallahassee.

As a member of the class of 2021, McClain, a native of Daphne, Alabama, was a four-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 29 prospect in the state, the No. 32 wide receiver in the class, and the No. 204 overall prospect.

After one season in University Park, McClain decided to enter the portal on May 2nd. He did so as the No. 911 overall transfer per On3’s 2024 Transfer Portal Top Players.

That choice made him one of 16 transfer to leave the Nittany Lions during the offseason, including one of a handful that put their names in during the spring window.

Now, with this commitment just over a week later, McClain is the 27th transfer addition for the Sun Devils. In total, they make up the No. 65 class per On3’s 2024 Team Transfer Portal Rankings. 10 of those are for the offense with him being one of four pass-catchers. However, three of those are tight ends in Chamon Metayer (Colorado), Cameron Harpole (San Diego State), and Markeston Douglas (Florida State). The other receiver is USC’s Raleek Brown, a former four-star and Top-75 prospect from his class in 2022.

This comes after Arizona State lost 28 in the portal after their first season under Kenny Dillingham. 11 of those were from their offensive unit with five of those being skill players. Two wideouts left in Elijhah Badger, their leading receiver from last season, and Shawn Charles. Neither have committed elsewhere to this point. RB Javen Jacobs (New Mexico) along with tights ends in Bryce Pierre (UCLA) and Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech) also departed.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.