Florida State football: Seminoles lose wide receiver Malik McClain to NCAA transfer portal

Florida State wide receiver Malik McClain entered the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday, the Democrat confirmed.

ESPN first reported the news.

McClain, a former four-star recruit from the 2021 class, immediately received significant playing time with the Seminoles. The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy product appeared in 12 games with nine starts in his freshman season, recording 16 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns.

As a sophomore last season, though, McClain never secured a featured role in the offense. He started just three games and ranked seventh on the team with 206 receiving yards and two scores on 17 receptions.

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The Seminoles expect to have a competitive receiver room next season, which will feature top option Johnny Wilson, former second-team All-Big 12 selection Winston Wright Jr. and Mycah Pittman, among others. They also are adding Hykeem Williams, a five-star recruit from Stranahan High in Fort Lauderdale.

If McClain returned to FSU, he may have struggled to crack the starting lineup. But with his athleticism at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and overall recruiting pedigree, McClain probably deserves a look from several Power Five programs.

Rivals ranked McClain as its No. 41 receiver and No. 242 overall player in the 2021 class, while 247Sports had him as its No. 38 receiver and unranked overall.

247Sports and On3 rank the Seminoles' nine-player transfer class No. 1 and No. 4 nationally, respectively.

Transfers gained

Defensive end Gilber Edmond (South Carolina)

Cornerback Fentrell Cypress (Virginia)

Defensive tackle Braden Fiske (Western Michigan)

Offensive lineman Keiondre Jones (Auburn)

Offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers (UTEP)

Offensive lineman Casey Roddick (Colorado)

Tight end Kyle Morlock (Shorter University)

Tight end Jaheim Bell (South Carolina)

Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. (Miami)

Transfers lost

Wide receiver Malik McClain

Offensive lineman Rod Orr

Offensive lineman Lloyd Willis

Running back Treshaun Ward (Kansas State)

Wide receiver Keyshawn Helton (Cincinnati)

Defensive end George Wilson Jr. (Campbell)

Defensive end Shambre Jackson

Defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson (Michigan State)

Linebacker Amari Gainer (North Carolina)

Cornerback Demorie Tate

Safety Sidney Williams

Safety Sam McCall (Texas A&M)

Defensive back Malik Feaster (Memphis)

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Seminoles lose WR Malik McClain to NCAA transfer portal