Interview: Mark “Isaiah” McMillian Jr is Ready to Dazzle All College Coaches Nationwide
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
There are certain phrases tossed around in the sports world as fact but really only pertain to certain aspects of the game. In America’s “Big Three”, football, baseball, and basketball, fans, players, and coaches can become stat driven leading to the worn out phrase “the stats don’t lie.” Well sometimes they do, and for Mark “Isaiah” McMillian Jr. the stats tell nothing.
Any sports career is all about opportunity, hard work, and athletic ability. For McMillian, the hard work and athleticism are certainly there but the opportunities have been hard to come by on Friday nights. As an underclassman during his sophomore season, playing behind a standout senior slowed the filling of the stat sheet along with nagging-non-serious injuries slowing his roll during his junior campaign. What is there to see is a technically sound 6-2, 175 pound, wide receiver tearing it up in 7-on-7 events.
Playing in 7-on-7 tournaments should translate to under the lights production for McMillian during the 2017 season. After a junior season hampered by injuries, McMillian is working hard to prove to next level scouts just how dangerous of a play-maker he can be on any field and at any time. The Arizona native is not playing around about showcasing his talents either. When the 2017 season kicks off he will be hauling in passes for Williams Field High School (Gilbert, AZ) but on the weekends during the off-season he makes the trip to southern California to work with ProWay. ProWay is one of the top 7-on-7 teams not only in the state of California but in the nation. The squad is absolutely loaded with top talent and seemingly proves it every other weekend capturing one trophy after another.
Watching McMillian work the field, one can see that he has been taught the fundamentals of the game very well. Each route is crisp, getting off press coverage is no problem, and gaining separation from defenders out of a break is routine. The athletic bloodline and private coaching from father, Mark McMillian Sr. is noticeable. The elder McMillian played college ball at the University of Alabama as a corner before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992. A cup of coffee is the best most former college players get in any league but McMillian is a true NFL veteran playing from 1992-99 with the Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Redskins racking up over 400 career tackles and 23 career interceptions.
The 2017 off- and regular season for Isaiah is his time to shine and show what he can do on the field. Early interest is there from Arizona State, Arizona, and BYU among others with an offer on the table from Kentucky Christian. With the spring and summer camp circuits heating up, McMillian will have ample opportunities to perform in front of Division-I coaches showing them what he can do when the pressure is on.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with an Arizona under the radar talent set to explode on the recruiting trail covering his off-season plans and recruiting process to date.
Interview
Isaiah, how has your game improved this off-season?
“Working with my dad, Coach Darnay Holmes with ProWay, and Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles) has made me a better player. I have learned how to use my body on the field to beat a defender, get in and out of my cuts faster, get a clean release off of press coverage, and high pointing the ball. I’ve done a lot of speed work and learning coverages this off-season. All of the work has helped make me better. I’ve increased my weight too which will help me beat press coverages.”
What are you working on with your high school team?
“I’ve been working with my quarterback. He’s a sophomore. We are working on our timing and connection on the field. I’m working on becoming a red zone threat and getting the mental aspects to our offensive scheme in place.”
What areas of your game are your strengths?
“I run very good routes. I know coverages and I know where to go with my release off a press coverage. If the back foot up, he is pressing. If he is going to jam, I know where his hands are at and how to get off the line. I am good at getting off the line and beating coverages. I’m good at tracking the ball in the air. If the ball is in the air close to me I will go get it.”
What are you off-season goals?
“Speed, building strength, and connecting with my quarterback. I want to blend in with my team and work on my craft.”
You’ve mentioned your weight and speed, what are your weight gain and 40-yard dash speed goals?
“I want to get up to 185 pound and run a laser 4.5 in the 40.”
Are you playing 7v7 ball this spring?
“Yes. I’m playing with ProWay out of California. Coach Holmes has some of the top guys in the country on their team.”
How is playing with ProWay helping your game improve?
“Out here in Arizona – these combines do not have the same competition as heavy as it is on Proway’s team. There are no bad players on ProWay. All the guys have 10-plus offers and all of them are hungry to play. Their goal is Saturday and Sunday not just Friday nights.”
Do you fly back and forth for the weekends?
“Yes.”
That is dedication.
“Thank you.”
Which camps have you attended so far?
“I have attended the Army All-American combine and on Sunday in Dallas I’m attending the Under Armour All-American camp.”
How did the Army combine go?
“It went great. I got to go up against top guys across America. I think I was only guarded once. I won all my other drills. I ended up on their 2018 watch list. It was a big eye opener for me and a big confidence builder knowing I can compete against all the top guys there. When you get out on the field, the 5- and 4-stars these players have does not mean anything to me.”
Do you know which college camps you may attend this summer?
“I’m planning on attending USC, UCLA, Utah, Washington, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Arizona State, and BYU camps. All the schools showing the most interest right now, I will attend their camps. I want to show them what I can do.”
Which colleges are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Colorado, Washington, Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Arizona, Penn State, Nevada, and Mississippi State.”
Are any of the schools showing interest showing a little more interest above the others?
“Colorado, Washington, UCLA, Arizona State, and BYU are the main ones texting and sending me a lot of mail.”
Which school has offered you?
“Kentucky Christian.”
Have you unofficially visited any schools yet?
“Arizona State, Arizona, USC, UCLA, Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan, Utah, and BYU.”
Wow. You’ve visited a lot of places. With all of those visits is there anything that you have learned about the game at the next level that has stuck with you?
“Once you step on a college campus it does not matter if you are a 4- or 1-star. All of it goes out the door. From that moment on you are all wearing the same uniform and the recruiting rankings do not matter. Everyone is competing against one another but at the end of the day it is like a family with everyone hanging out and having a good time.”
Do you have any upcoming visits planned?
“I’m going to Arizona and Arizona State in two weeks with ProWay. I might go to SMU this weekend when I am in Dallas for the Under Armour camp.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“3.0.”
Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?
“No. I take my first test in May.”
What do you want to major in once in college?
“Business management.”
Are you playing any other sports for Williams Field?
“I played basketball this year. I was going to run track but I did not want to lose any more weight.”
How did the basketball season go?
“It was good, but we got knocked out in second round of the playoffs.”
How has your dad’s collegiate and NFL experience help shape your game and abilities on the gridiron?
“It has been crazy. It has helped tremendously. Hanging with guys Eric Allen, Byron Evans, and Randall Cunningham learning tricks of the game they have used at the highest level has been a big help. Using that knowledge from the NFL at the high school level works easily on the field.”
Isaiah, thanks for your time today and good luck with the Under Armour camp this weekend.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: McMillian family; No. 14 Isaiah McMillian warming up with Williams Field (2016).
Photo credit: McMillian family; No. 14 Isaiah McMillian hauls in a pass.
Photo credit: McMillian family; No. 14 Isaiah McMillian with ProWay in Vegas.