Tetairoa McMillan

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