With the 2025 NFL Draft within the books, it’s time to replicate on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone ship a masterclass, or has he simply set the Jags again 5 years? Fact is, we in all probability gained’t know that for a while. However we are able to get to know the most recent members of the staff just a little bit higher. Within the first of a mini-series of deep dives, listed below are three issues to learn about Wyatt Millum, OL, West Virginia:
From Diamond to Gridiron
Wyatt Millum headed into the NFL Draft with loads of expertise, having suited up 47 occasions for the West Virginia Mountaineers. 43 of these video games have been at sort out – though Millum is extensively anticipated to shift inside on the Professional stage to accommodate a scarcity of a super size. That alludes to the lineman’s versatility – unsurprising for a soccer star who performed either side of the ball in highschool. However for those who suppose his strengths lie solely on the offensive line, then suppose once more…
Seems Millum may need one thing of an arm on him too. A four-star recruit in highschool on the soccer subject, Millum loved greater than 20 scholarship presents – together with ones from powerhouses corresponding to Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame. The Huntington native determined to remain near house and turn out to be a Mountaineer, however solely after flirting with the concept of taking part in Baseball at school first.
Millum courted loads of curiosity as a left-hand pitcher, going so far as committing to Marshall early to star on the diamond. Based on former 247 Sports activities scouting director, the most recent member of the Jacksonville Jaguars may sling it:
“Thick however not fats offensive lineman with good size and peak. Good all-around athlete that performs a number of sports activities and might contact the excessive 80s as a pitcher in baseball.”
Luckily for WVU and now the Jaguars, Millum finally determined that soccer was his future and never baseball. However maybe Liam Coen can prepare dinner up a trick play with the massive man throwing the ball within the crimson zone!
West Virginia robust
All through the draft course of, one factor has stood out about Wyatt Millum – toughness. Beloved at WVU on account of his toughness and grit, Millum has demonstrated these qualities at each stage between leaving Morgantown and winding up in Duval County. Don’t simply take that from me – right here’s a handful of quotes from extra revered draft analysts:
“The Jaguars simply acquired rather a lot harder up entrance. A consensus first-team All-American final fall, Milum (6-6 ½, 313) was named the Large 12 offensive lineman of the yr. At West Virginia, Milum began 43 video games, together with 35 at left sort out. A former highschool wrestler, Milum has the peak and weight to remain at offensive sort out, however his shorter arms (32 1/8 inches) prompts a transfer inside – at the very least initially.”
Scott Dochterman, New York Occasions
“Robust, sturdy and assignment-oriented, Milum possesses the body and mentality of an NFL participant. It’s onerous to get enthusiastic about his prospects as a sort out on account of his shorter arms, however there isn’t any purpose to imagine Milum can’t bump inside to protect and provide sort out depth in a pinch. He performs with heavy arms in cross safety and has very best instincts to smell out twists and cease them of their tracks. He’s onerous to bull-rush or push round within the operating sport however he’ll slip and slide off maintain blocks at occasions on account of a narrowing base. His bodily profile, play energy and soccer intelligence may have him prepared as an early starter for gap-scheme groups.”
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
“Good, robust, & reliable. It’s what NFL groups are searching for.”
Jim Nagy, former Government Director of the Senior Bowl
I’m at present sat right here envisioning some Rocky-style montage with Millum lugging tree trunks round a farm as a part of his draft prep. If James Gladstone’s intention was to get harder on the o-line, it seems like he’s nailed it.
Excessive stage of execution
Being versatile is one factor, robust one other. However can Wyatt Millum defend the quarterback, or blow open holes within the run sport? Reply: he can do each…
Trevor Lawrence must be excited. Based on experiences, Millum didn’t enable one sack in his time at highschool – and continued that pattern while at West Virginia. Regardless of the excessive stage of competitors, Millum stored his quarterback utterly clear for the previous two years – and solely allowed a sack in two of his final 36 video games. These sorts of stats noticed him obtain a number of accolades in 2024, in addition to being named a consensus Large 12 and NCAA All-American.
As for serving to the staff run the ball, effectively – Millum is adept in that division too. PFF had him as the perfect run-blocking lineman within the draft with a really spectacular 89.2 grade. That was evident from the tape; Millum anchored an offensive line that helped the Mountaineers rush for 140 or extra yards in 27 of the previous 29 video games. And in his three years as a fully-fledged starter, Millum spearheaded a floor assault that loved 18 video games with 200+ dashing yards and 6 that topped 300 yards. I’m undecided what West Virginia’s protection was as much as, as a result of the best way the offense was clicking you’ll have thought a playoff spot was a certainty!
After the draft, James Gladstone couldn’t disguise his enjoyment of touchdown Millum with a third-round choice, the Jaguars GM hinting that he might be a contributor early on the inside, and appears ahead to Millum replicating the talents he demonstrated towards good opposition in school:
“He’s matched up with a number of actually high-caliber rushers over the course of his profession… …Abdul Carter, Will McDonald… …I imply, these have been high-capacity rushers, and he showcased a extremely calm demeanor and poise in cross safety, but in addition a tough and rugged end. I imply, that was a cool mixture that actually jumped out to us, and we sit up for him having the ability to present us with some model of that versatility but in addition begin with the concept that the inside is the place he’ll spend most of his time without work the leap.”
Travis Hunter might have stolen the limelight from the Jaguars’ draft weekend. However don’t sleep on Wyatt Millum turning into one thing particular in Jacksonville.