Senior Pellum makes Millikan history
LONG BEACH ❯❯ Senior wide receiver Ryan Pellum has been looking forward to making history at Millikan since he was a freshman starter on varsity.
Pellum, who committed to USC football in June, received his 2024 Under Armour Next All-American jersey Thursday, which marked the first time a player from Millikan's football program has earned the prestigious honor.
“I'm honored to be the first one in Millikan history to get this,” Pellum said. “I can't wait to go out there and play.”
Millikan coach Romeo Pellum, who is also Ryan's older brother, said the historic accomplishment has set the bar high for the entire Pellum family.
“You have Malachi Pellum coming behind him, which is my son, just showing what hard work can do,” Pellum said. “We're a football family through and through.
“Whenever we sit as a family, we talk football and for us to get that achievement is huge, and for Millikan football that's big.”
Pellum, a 6-foot four-star recruit according to the ESPN 300 recruiting database, said he will be ready to test himself against some of the best high school football recruits in the nation.
“I've been looking forward to this for a long time,” he said. “Playing against guys of my caliber, playing against these guys is going to be great.”
The newly designated All-American said he's been working hard, particularly during his senior season, to leave a lasting legacy on the Millikan football program.
“I definitely want to leave a good one, a positive one,” Ryan Pellum said. “I want my name to linger around here in a positive way.”
Coach Pellum believes Ryan's achievement is an inspiration for underclassmen and youth football players.
“I think it's huge,” coach Pellum continued. “This is a guy they see every day at practice, they hang out with and if Ryan can do it, why can't I, even for younger kids that see him out and say `hi, you're Ryan Pellum'.
“Ryan is from Long Beach. He's a Long Beach kid that did it and you guys can do it too.”
Meanwhile, Millikan (63, 4-1) will host Cabrillo (27, 0-5) tonight, for their final regular-season game before the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“We're going to build in this last game what we need to to get us ready for playoffs,” Ryan Pellum said. “In my high school career, we haven't gotten very far in the playoffs but we plan on winning a (championship) ring this year.”