Not solely did Munir McClain change positions after transferring from USC to Utah, he modified positions, from vast receiver to tight finish. Rick Scuteri, Related Press
Munir McClain was a large receiver when he transferred to Utah from Pac-12 South rival USC after the 2019 season.
After taking part in in two video games on particular groups in 2021 for the Utes, McClain has been switched from receiver to tight finish.
“Coaches imagine that’s going to be the very best match for me on this offense. That’s the transfer proper now,” mentioned the 6-foot-4, 226-pound sophomore from Atlanta. “It’s a mutual settlement. They suppose that’s the very best transfer for me. They’ve been doing this for a very long time. There was no hesitation from me to maneuver to tight finish.”
What did the coaches see in McClain that made them imagine he might play tight finish?
“His measurement. He’s 230 with room to placed on one other 5 or 10 kilos,” mentioned coach Kyle Whittingham. “Bodily, he’s obtained the profile for a good finish. We’re having a lot success with Brant Kuithe, he’s the identical type of participant. He has numerous receiver abilities. We expect that he’s obtained a brilliant future.”
Tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham additionally identified McClain’s body.
“He’s obtained nice measurement. He’s 6-3, near 230 kilos and has an 83-inch wingspan. He’s obtained the body to placed on extra weight,” he mentioned. “He ran a 4.47 in February. The ceiling for him is sky-high. He’s obtained numerous athleticism. He'll learn to block on the road of scrimmage as a good finish. If he retains creating, he might be a kind of subsequent nice tight ends right here at Utah.”
“The dimensions, the body, the athleticism,” mentioned offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. “In the long run, we’re searching for the subsequent participant to fill the position that Brant Kuithe has had a lot success with.”
McClain has watched Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid carefully and in the course of the spring is determining play the place with their assist.
“They’re nice gamers. I watch them quite a bit and I soak up what they do and I put it in my pocket and in my toolbox. I’m glad I’m right here studying from them,” he mentioned. “They’re prepared to assist me and I soak up no matter they’re speaking about.”
Taking part in for Freddie Whittingham has been a great expertise.
“He’s a cool coach. He is aware of what he’s doing,” McClain mentioned. “You see the folks he’s teaching — Dalton, Brant and Cole (Fotheringham). I simply want to purchase into what he’s teaching and I feel I can do properly.”
The transition from receiver to tight finish hasn’t been significantly troublesome, McClain mentioned.
“If I used to be taking part in receiver, I’d be an even bigger receiver. I must get stronger as a good finish and make progress. It’s simply the totally different folks I've to dam. I’m blocking a 250-pound D-end or linebackers. I simply must get stronger. I feel I can excel on the place. I like taking part in tight finish. I’m going to see what I can do and purchase into the offense.”
McClain picked a great time to hitch the Utes program. In his first season, Utah received its first Pac-12 championship and first Rose Bowl look.
“It was simply the very best match for me,” McClain mentioned about transferring from USC. “I get pleasure from being right here with a successful workforce. We received the Pac-12 championship final yr. There are nice issues right here. I get pleasure from being right here. We win, and that’s what everyone desires to be a part of, a successful workforce. First yr transferring, successful a championship and taking part in within the Rose Bowl. It’s everybody’s dream.”
For now, in the course of the spring, McClain is working to study the tight finish place.
“I simply need to get higher throughout. I need to change into a greater soccer participant,” he mentioned. “I’m excited. I’m ready to see what I can do and what I’m going to deliver to the workforce.”