Transfer to touchdowns: How Malik McClain learned to roar for the Nittany Lions

It didn’t take long for Malik McClain to be a topic of conversation for Penn State, especially after his performance Saturday against West Virginia.

James Franklin announced the Florida State transfer as the special teams player of the week during Tuesday’s press conference.

“He’s been a really nice addition and has done a really good job not just from a production standpoint but from a cultural standpoint as well,” Franklin said.

Originally, the Alabama native was recruited out of high school by the blue and white but committed to Florida State to stay closer to home during the pandemic. But his pre-existing relationship with Franklin made choosing Happy Valley as his new home very simple.

“Coach Franklin has been the same since I’ve known him,” McClain said. “I know he always wants the best for his players in any situation. He wouldn’t put you in a bad situation that he wouldn’t want his own family to be in. I knew coming here he would really have my best interest.”

McClain’s dedication to the game has not gone unnoticed by his teammates; entering Happy Valley with the early enrollees last spring provided him plenty of time to get acclimated to the Penn State environment and playbook.

“He did an outstanding job of just enhancing everything and improving on all areas of his game,” Allar said.

Fall camp quickly arrived, and McClain was already developing a rapport with the younger Nittany Lions and emerging as a reliable figure in the wide receiver room.

McClain was one of nine targets for Drew Allar in his starting debut, and the two connected for a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was third and six when Allar found him wide open along the left, and he took it to the house after leaving a few Mountaineer defenders in his path.

Overall, the junior had 58 yards on four receptions in addition to the talent he showcased on special teams.

“He learned the playbook, he was confident,” Beau Pribula said. “I expected to see everything that he did on Saturday night because he’s a really hard worker, and he deserves it.”

Throughout all the work during the offseason, it allows the wide receivers as a whole to become closer as a group. McClain has grown the most with Malick Meiga who was one of his first teammates to help him learn the playbook.

Those moments through camp developed bonds deeper than football.

“I would say we’re a tight family,” McClain said. “Everybody’s making plays all the time [and] you get hype when you see someone making plays, and then you also want to make one.”

Penn State preaches an iron sharpens iron mentality, which has elevated every position, considering the depth added over the offseason. McClain was one of the additions, but he’s already fit into the blue and white’s puzzle.

“I think it’s hard to come in and say you’re going to be a leader from day one when you don’t have the relationships yet,” Franklin said. “But he’s built those relationships, and he’s earned the respect of the room through his actions and attitude.”

Amanda Vogt is a sophomore studying broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amandaevogt@gmail.com