Washington football doesn’t need double 1,000-yard receivers in 2023

Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan both passed the 1,000-yard mark in 2022, but they don’t need to in 2023.

Odunze and McMillan combined for 2,243 yards and 154 receptions in 2022 as a high percentage of the offense went through the two third-year wide receivers. However, in 2023 this doesn’t need to be the case for Washingtonf football have a successful offense.

Last season, Odunze and McMillan had just over 41% of the team’s receptions. They will still have a high percentage of receptions in 2023, but that should decrease a little with Ja’Lynn Polk expected to see more targets.

They also have an exciting prospect tearing up fall camp in 2022 recruit, Denzel Boston. If he continues the upwards trend, it will be hard to hold him back from seeing more offensive snaps. Washington also has other experienced receivers and tight ends that may see more usage.

Head Coach Kalen DeBoer and Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb will look to add a few different wrinkles to the current offense. Running back usage in the passing game could be something we see used more frequently. With the arrival of Mississippi State transfer Dillon Johnson, they will likely want to get the ball in his hands. Johnson was a talented pass-catching back, who racked up 149 receptions in his three years with the Bulldogs. The Husky running back room had a 15% reception share, which projects to be higher this season.

Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan will still be the leaders in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in 2023. However, they don’t need to be a pair of 1,000-yard receivers for Washington Football to succeed this season. The Huskies have several different ways to move the ball, with even more quality players who have grown in experience.

The offense will lean on more players this year, which will benefit the team even more, alongside the talent of Odunze and McMillan. An exciting season is ahead for Washington Football in its final appearance in the Pac-12 conference.