The Washington Huskies capped their 2022 college football season with a 27-20 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl. With the win, the Huskies finished the year 11-2, an impressive feat for first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, according to one UW wide receiver, the team has its sights set on an even bigger finish next season.
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan said after the victory that he thinks the Huskies will win the national championship next season.
“I think we’re going to win a Natty,” McMillan said, per The Seattle Times’ Matt Calkin. “I’m going to call for a Natty.”
Washington receiver Jalen McMillan, on next season. "I think we're going to win a Natty. I'm going to call for a Natty."
— Matt Calkins (@Matt_Calkins) December 30, 2022
It’s not as wild of a proclamation as it might sound. The Huskies will finish the year with 11 wins and a national ranking. They’re bringing back quarterback Michael Penix in a surprise decision, given that he had first-round potential. The Pac-12 appears to be on the rise and will feature some very talented teams, so the winner of the conference will be in a prime position to make the College Football Playoff.
Plus, it hasn’t been that long since Washington was on that level. It’s easy to forget that the Huskies made the CFP in the 2016-2017 season, losing to Alabama in the semifinals.
However they finish, McMillan will certainly play his part. The sophomore garnered 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
