Tetairoa McMillan

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, WR, 6'4¼", 219 lbs, Junior

Draft Profile

Frankly: Not counting Travis Hunter, McMillan is the best receiver in this draft, worthy of a top 12 pick on the way to being a WR 1 for some NFL team. 

Overview

Tetairoa McMillan is a prototypical WR1 prospect who combines imposing size, natural hands, and refined route-running acumen. His ability to excel at all three levels of the field, coupled with his dominance in contested catch situations, positions him as a day-one starter in the NFL. McMillan’s advanced route tree and knack for creating separation through precise technique rather than pure athleticism provide him with a solid foundation for success at the professional level. His versatility makes him a valuable asset to any team, as he can align in multiple positions across the formation to exploit mismatches. With a talent for high-pressure scenarios, McMillan has a proven ability to shine in third-down and red-zone situations. While the physicality of NFL defensive backs may present an initial adjustment, his college track record of production against elite competition suggests he possesses the tools to overcome this challenge. McMillan’s combination of physical traits and skill makes him one of the premier wide receivers in this draft class, with the potential to become the centerpiece of an NFL offense.

Background

McMillan’s journey began in Hawaii before his football career flourished at Servite High School in California. As a five-star recruit and Arizona’s highest-ranked signee in program history, McMillan had immediate expectations on his shoulders—and he delivered. As a true freshman in 2022, he led all first-year players nationally with 702 receiving yards, catching 39 passes for eight touchdowns. His sophomore campaign took his production to new heights, amassing 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns across 13 games. By his junior year, McMillan had transformed into a complete receiver, earning First-Team All-American honors and becoming a Biletnikoff Award finalist. In 2024, McMillan set Arizona records with 1,319 receiving yards on 84 receptions, with highlights including a 304-yard, four-touchdown outing against New Mexico, a performance that earned him Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors. He concluded his collegiate career as Arizona’s all-time leader in receiving yards, totaling 3,423 over three seasons.

Scouting Report

Pros:

McMillan brings unique positional versatility, excelling both as an X-receiver and as a power slot. He runs a diverse route tree with precision, consistently separating through sharp cuts and nuanced technique, particularly on whip routes, crossers, and in-breaking routes. His ball-tracking skills and body control on deep throws are elite, allowing him to win contested catches with consistency. Despite his imposing size, McMillan demonstrates surprising fluidity, utilizing subtle movements to create separation. His natural hands and large catch radius make him a reliable target in any scenario. Furthermore, McMillan is highly effective against zone coverage, instinctively finding open spaces and working back to the quarterback on broken plays. In the red zone, his height, strong hands, and timing make him a constant threat on fades and jump balls. His improved ability to generate yards after the catch by breaking arm tackles and maintaining vision adds another layer of value to his skill set.

Cons:

 

While McMillan has many strengths, he is not without some developmental areas. His top-end speed may not be sufficient to consistently separate vertically against NFL corners, potentially limiting his ability to stretch the field. He could improve his explosiveness off the line, as his initial steps occasionally telegraph his intentions against off-coverage defenders. Expanding his release package is critical, as he can struggle to beat press coverage effectively on vertical routes. While dominant in contested catch situations, overly physical corners who match his size have occasionally disrupted his rhythm. Lastly, his route breaks could use additional sharpness, as his long frame sometimes results in slightly rounded cuts. Despite these minor concerns, McMillan’s strengths and refined skill set make him an immediate contributor with long-term star potential.

Preseason Report

OVERVIEW

McMillan boasts a rare combination of size, hands, and route-running acumen that scouts covet in a WR1 prospect. His ability to win at all three levels of the field, coupled with his red-zone prowess, projects him as a day-one impact player. McMillan's route tree sophistication and ability to create separation through technique suggest a high floor as he transitions to the pro game. At the next level, McMillan profiles as a scheme-versatile receiver who can be moved around the formation to create mismatches. His contested catch ability and knack for making plays in crucial situations should make him a favorite target on third downs and in the red zone. While he may face an adjustment period against the physicality of NFL corners, his college production against top competition indicates he has the tools to overcome this challenge. McMillan's ceiling as a potential alpha receiver, combined with his floor as a reliable possession target, positions him as one of the premier wide receiver prospects in this draft class. His skill set and physical tools align with what NFL teams seek in a franchise wideout, making him a likely early selection and a player expected to make an immediate impact at the next level.

BACKGROUND

McMillan, a wide receiver from the University of Arizona, has rapidly ascended the draft boards. Hailing from Hawaii, McMillan's football journey took off at Servite High School in California, where he earned five-star recruit status and became Arizona's highest-ranked signee in program history. McMillan wasted no time making his mark in college. As a true freshman in 2022, he led all first-year players nationally with 702 yards on 39 receptions and eight touchdowns. His sophomore season saw even greater production, as he racked up 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 starts. These performances garnered him Second-Team All-American honors from The Sporting News and Third-Team All-American recognition from the Associated Press. The 6'5"", 212-pound wideout continued his upward trajectory in his junior year. In a statement game against New Mexico, McMillan showcased his game-breaking ability with a monster stat line of 304 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 receptions, solidifying his status as one of the nation's premier receivers.

ANALYSIS

PROS: Possesses prototypical size and length for the X receiver position, creating consistent mismatches Exhibits plus-plus body control and adjustment skills, thriving in contested catch situations Displays vacuum-like hands with an expansive catch radius, snagging passes away from his frame Runs crisp routes with good stem work, creating separation on short and deep patterns Shows good initial burst off the line and build-up speed to stretch defenses vertically Demonstrates savvy in finding soft spots against zone coverage Proven production against top-tier competition with a knack for rising in big moments Positional flexibility to line up outside or in the slot, adding scheme versatility

CONS

Blocking technique needs refinement to maximize his frame and become a three-down asset Could improve functional strength to better combat physical press coverage at the next level Occasionally relies too heavily on size advantage, which may not translate as consistently in the pros Release package off the line of scrimmage needs expansion to consistently beat press in the NFL While possessing good long speed, may not have the elite burner trait to consistently separate deep against pro DBs

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HISTORY - From College Profile

Honors and Awards

• 2023: The Sporting News Second-Team All-American (12/13)
• 2023: AP Third-Team All-American (12/11)
• 2023: AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 (12/7)
• 2023: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalist (12/7)
• 2023: All-Pac-12 Second Team (12/5)
• 2023: Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week (11/25 - Week 13)
• 2023: Biletnikoff Award Watch List (11/13)
• 2023: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (8/17)
• 2023: Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
• 2022: Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalist (11/3)
• 2022: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/17) 
• 2022: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/3) 
• 2022: Named to 247 Sports True Freshman Player of the Year Preseason Watch List (8/18)
• 2022: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List (8/18) 

2023: Started all 13 games during his second season with the Wildcats in 2023... Led the team with 1,402 receiving yards and was second on team with 10 touchdown grabs... Second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game (107.8)... Tied for fifth in the conference in touchdown catches (10)... Tied for sixth in program history with 10 touchdown receptions, falling three touchdown receptions shy of the single-season record that Jacob Cowing set (13) in 2023... 1,402 receiving yards were the second most in a single-season in program history... Becomes the 8th player in program history to surpass 2,000-career receiving yards (2,104), putting him eighth all-time... His 18-career receiving touchdowns are seventh in program history... Completed one pass on one attempt for a 21-yard touchdown on a trick play, marking his first collegiate passing touchdown against Utah (11/18). 

2022: Appeared in all 12 games, making eight starts during his first season with the Arizona Wildcats… Led all True Freshman nationally with 702 yards on 39 receptions and eight touchdowns… The eight touchdowns tied for first in the Pac-12… Crossed the 100-yard threshold once at Washington (10/15) with 132 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions… Made five catches for 90 yards and one touchdown against Colorado (10/1) … Caught a touchdown in seven of 12 games played… Second nationally among True Freshman in yards per game (58.5)… Set an Arizona record for most receiving yards (702) by a True Freshman, surpassing Nate Phillips’ 696 receiving yards in 2013.

High School: Prepped at Servite High School in California…Highest ranked recruit in Arizona program history; Rivals five-star, 247Sports high four-star…No. 4 nationally ranked wide receiver in his class according to 247Sports; No. 36 overall recruit nationally…Teammates with fellow Arizona signees QB Noah Fifita, TE Keyan Burnett, and LB Jacob Manu… 2022 California State Player of the Year... Participated in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl…2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year…2021 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year finalist…Participated in the 2022 All-American Bowl…Across three varsity seasons pulled in 179 receptions for 2,640 yards and 34 touchdowns…As a senior in 2021 went for 1,302 yards and 18 scores on 88 catches…Also played basketball and volleyball at Servite HS.

2022

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
2.0	4.0	1.0	8.0	0.0	0.0	2.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
39.0	18.0	8.0	47.0	702.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0