Undrafted rookie WR Malik McClain understands what it takes to learn a new system. To nail Frank Reich’s playbook, McClain made about 600 flashcards.
His collegiate experience prepared him for this. McClain started at Florida State (2021-22) after graduating from the prestigious IMG Academy on Florida’s Gulf Coast, spent one year at Penn State (2023) and played his final two collegiate seasons out west at Arizona State (2024-25).
“I think [transferring] helped me learn the ways that I learned better,” McClain said. “If you’re somewhere, you know, stagnant for a long period of time, you just fall into what you know. So, having to pick up new stuff, helped me learn the techniques that can help me pick it up quicker.”
McClain, who signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent, is trying to earn a spot on the 53-man regular-season roster. By 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, the Jets will have to trim their training camp roster.
So, the preseason is pivotal for players like McClain — it’s an opportunity.
“Some guys are going to make it, some guys are not, but at least you give those guys an opportunity to put film out there, so they do get a chance for other teams to see them,” head coach Aaron Glenn said. “We talk about that quite a bit. There are 31 other teams that are looking at this tape, so you want to put your best foot forward every time you go out on the grass.”