On 2nd and 1 on the California 8-yard line, with the Huskies up 14-6, Michael Penix Jr threw a fade to the right corner of the end zone where Ja’Lynn Polk held onto the ball despite the defender being in perfect position with an arm between the ball and Polk’s chest.  As they fell to the ground, there was less of the ball in Polk’s hands than in it–yet the ball didn’t move as he was able to complete the catch.

If there’s one play that demonstrated the strength of the Washington junior receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s strength, it’s the photo that circulated on social media of that fingertip catch against Cal.  

“Peezy” as he is known in his hometown in Lufkin, Texas was well on his way to becoming a household name throughout Husky nation, much the way that Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan had become.  

While nothing has ever been easy for Peezy but he has a strong grip on who he is to hundreds of kids back in his hometown.

The catch was also a reminder of what he and Washington fans were robbed of on the first play from scrimmage in the fateful 2021 season. Against Montana, Polk took a jarring hit that left him with a deep pectoral concussion, nearly ending his season.

Despite the injury, Polk created a newfound legacy at the University of Washington since that moment, partaking in a historic 11-2 season that saw the Huskies emerge victorious at the Alamo Bowl. 

Polk has experienced nothing but success throughout his collegiate career, yet none of the accolades have gone to his head.

Growing up in Lufkin, Polk was often labeled as the next Dez Bryant within his community. The former Lufkin High School Panther shares the same alma mater as Bryant, and their similarities on the football field are apparent.

Polk finished second in Lufkin history with 131 receptions and 2,412 receiving yards and ranked third with 24 career touchdowns. Only trailing Bryant and former Texas Tech Red Raider Keke Coutee, respectively in those categories. 

He began his collegiate career at Texas Tech but made the difficult decision to leave home and transfer to Washington.  Two-thirds of the way through the 2023 season, the decision is paying its dividends.  Polk racked up 120 receptions for 1,908 yards and 16 touchdowns throughout his career and is in the midst of a massive breakout campaign with the Huskies. 

After a slow start to his college career, Polk is living up to the billing in 2023. Through eight games this season, Polk has delivered behind Odunze with 46 receptions for 836 yards and seven touchdowns, adding another score through the ground.  According to Pro Football Focus, he’s used his physicality to push himself to the top of the heap being the highest-rated receiver against press coverage:

Regardless of his success, Polk still prioritizes giving back to his community and those who have been with him since the beginning at home in Lufkin.  

“He would always make time for the kids,” Vick Machado, former football coach for Polk said. “He made it a point over the summers to do a free camp. He made sure I could be there to help organize it with him and it was great, he legit stood and took pictures with every kid that came and gave them an autographed shirt.” 

Polk is also largely recognized by members of the community for his character. In 2020, Polk was nominated for the “Who’s Who” award at Lufkin High School, an award which is chosen by staff members of seniors who best represent the school. Polk has always been involved in the high school, spending time as a photographer and shooting photos at events for the school yearbook.

As a freshman in high school, Polk began training with Machado, who lived on the same street as him. His work ethic drove him to become the best, and Machado knew instantly that this kid was going to be special.

“He was waiting on me to get off work every single day to either do field work and technique, lift in the gym, or field and sprints,” Machado said.  “His football practice would get over at 5:30 and I’d be getting him and he’d be waiting for me going, ‘We gotta go workout’.”

Still dripping with sweat from his football practice, Polk would be down to his workout shorts and a tank top.  Machado, more often than not in his work clothes, would bark out instructions.

“He was always the kid who listened the most and bought into what I was saying,” Machado continued.  “He was the biggest kid around, but he also worked the hardest.”

Machado certainly isn’t the only coach who admires his drive. Washington Huskies Head Coach Kalen DeBoer preached Polk’s ability to be as hardworking as he is in a press conference preparing for the matchup against Tulsa.

“JP is one of the toughest and strongest kids we have on the football team,” DeBoer said. “You come out to Sunday practice and you’d be shocked how hard he’s running routes–it doesn’t even look like he just played a football game. That type of mindset, leadership, and ability, we know that when the play has to be made and the ball is going to come his way, JP’s going to make the play.”

Against Stanford last week his brute strength was on display as he ran right through an obvious defensive pass interference penalty.  Without breaking stride on the timing pass from Michael Penix, the ball fell perfectly into his hands for one of the most effortless-looking 91-yard touchdowns you’ll ever see.

Polk’s commitment to his craft helps him bond with the kids in Lufkin. Polk regularly attended youth team 7 vs 7 football games, and the kids loved to see him.

“He would come out to our practices and games and the kids would be so excited,” Machado said. “He always would make time for the kids.”

In Lufkin and in Seattle, Polk is living up to the Dez Bryant comparisons.  On the field, he continues to prove he is an NFL-caliber wide receiver for the Huskies. 

Laying there with the football in his clutches, the rest of the college football world saw what they’ve known all along in Lufkin, Texas where Polk is their hometown hero.