Amid a global pandemic that has shut down sports and in-person recruiting nationwide, Clay Millen and his family traveled from their home in Snoqualmie, Washington, to Tucson.
Millenโs first taste of the UA wasnโt typical of a quarterback visiting his next school and future city. Millen and his parents flew into Tucson from Seattle on Wednesday, not for an official or unofficial visit โ the NCAAโs recruiting dead period is in place through June 30.
The Millens called it a family vacation. They spent a few days walking โ and driving โ around the university area and scoping out where Clay plans to play.
โBut when I got here, I knew this was the school that I wanted to go to and Iโm 100% committed here,โ he said. โI love it here. I think this is a great town and this is where I want to spend the next four years. Iโm all-in here.โ
Millen, the son of former NFL quarterback Hugh Millen, verbally committed to the Wildcats on Friday. The 6-foot-3-inch, 188-pound Millen is rated by 247Sports.com as a four-star prospect and the nation’s 10th-best pro-style quarterback, making him Arizona’s highest-rated commit for the 2021 recruiting class.
He picked the Wildcats over offers from Oregon State, UNLV, Indiana, Colorado, Florida Atlantic and Oregon, which is where his older brother, Cale, who is also a quarterback, currently plays.
Millen took over starting quarterback duties at Mount Si High School, where Hugh Millen is an assistant coach, once his brother joined the Ducks. Last fall, Millen threw for 3,145 yards and 34 touchdowns while being intercepted just once. In a playoff game against Chiawana High School, he completed 33 of 38 passes for 500 yards and six touchdowns.
Millen spoke to the Star on Saturday about his decision to pick UA, growing up in an NFL household and what Wildcats fans can expect out of him:
What made you decide to commit to Arizona โ and why now, in June?
A: โArizona offered me during (last) season, so theyโve been recruiting me for about six or seven months now. Over that time, Iโve developed such a great relationship with Coach (Noel) Mazzone, Coach (Kevin) Sumlin and Coach (John) Marinelli, (an analyst). The entire staff has been great to me, and they said that Iโve been the only quarterback they recruited (for โ21). They said they wouldnโt contact anyone else until I made a decision, and itโs nice to know they were all-in on me. I just felt right with Arizona.โ
Starting quarterback Clay Millen looks to pass during football practice at Mt. Si High School, Seattle, on Sept. 23, 2019. Clay, a junior, comes from a family of quarterbacks. His older brother Cale, who used to be quarterback for the same high school, was picked up by University of Oregon. Both brothers are son of former NFL quarterback Hugh Millen, who played at University of Washington and for several NFL teams. 211544
What do you like about the campus and the city of Tucson?
A: โThis is my first time in Tucson and I think I mightโve gone to Arizona when I was really young, but I canโt remember it. Obviously, some people donโt like the hot weather, but Iโve enjoyed it here and I like the warm weather. Weโve driven around the campus three or four times over the last couple of days. Weโve gone out to eat for the first few days and I just like it here a lot. It feels like home.โ
How has your relationship with Mazzone progressed?
A: โThe more we talk, the more our chemistry has built. He came out to watch me throw and was really excited about that, so heโs been recruiting me hard. They were super-excited when I committed, and I think Mazzone has great history with quarterbacks. A stat that he told me was every single quarterback over the last 10 years that has started for him is on an NFL roster. The only exception was that he had one NFL free agent wide receiver (Khalil Tate). Other than that, heโs got a pretty good track record with quarterbacks, so Iโm excited.โ
Has he compared you to any of his former quarterbacks?
A: โHe thinks I have some Grant Gunnell in me. Grant is going to be a great mentor for me and heโs going to have a great career at Arizona and will be really successful. As soon as I get there, I know heโll be teaching me and will be a great mentor to have to be successful there. Itโs great to have a guy two classes ahead of you who could kinda be that mentor.โ
How much did your brother influence your career, considering you both play quarterback and are only two years apart?
A: โHeโs been great to me. During my freshman and sophomore years, I learned a lot from him. He knows a lot and my dad played in the NFL so he passed down a lot of knowledge. At our house before games, weโd sit down and watch film and I got to mentally prepare my freshman and sophomore year. I couldโve played well my sophomore year, but I sat back and learned as much as I could and took in as much as I could from my brother. He showed me how to play, lead the team and win. He helped me be successful my junior year.โ
What about your father? Having a dad who quarterbacked nearly a decade in the NFL must be a nice resource to have.
A: โHeโs done a great job and passed down a lot of knowledge. It really helps to have a dad do that for you. Heโs been throwing to me from a super young age and heโs always helped me. Iโm super blessed.โ
Do you have a favorite NFL team connected to your dadโs career?
A: โI have a favorite player. My dad used to play for the Patriots, so itโs Tom Brady. Iโve grown up rooting for Tom Brady and now that heโs on the (Buccaneers), Iโll be rooting for them. Ever since I was a sports fan, Iโve always liked Tom Brady.โ
Whatโs your favorite memory of all three Millen quarterbacks together?
A: โOff the top of my head over the last year would probably be the quarterfinal (playoff game) against Lake Stevens. They were ranked No. 1 all year in the Seattle Times, and Cale came out to watch that game. Obviously, my dad was coaching and I was playing. But we beat them and I was pretty stoked about that game so that was a cool moment within the past year of all of us together.โ
When you think of Arizona football players, who is the first person you think of?
A: โProbably Nick Foles. He won a Super Bowl and was Super Bowl MVP. For quarterbacks, when I think of the University of Arizona, I remember watching him against Washington and heโs won the Super Bowl, so I think of him.โ
How has your skillset grown since taking over for your brother as the starter?
A: โIโm a later developer than most kids, so every year Iโve been growing and adding a little amount of weight. Iโve gotten stronger and just kept working with my receivers to work on timing. Iโm excited for my senior year and I think I can make a huge jump from my junior to senior year. Iโm excited for one last high school season.โ
What can you tell Arizona fans about what they can expect from you?
A: โIโm gonna work my butt off and Iโm super competitive and love to win. Iโm gonna do anything I can to help the team and win games.โ
