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Arizona football's 2024 season didn’t quite go according to plan.
Under first-year head coach Brent Brennan, a Wildcats team that was the No. 21 team in the US LBM Coaches Poll in the preseason finished just 4-8, losing seven of its final eight games on its way to a three-way tie for 13th in the 16-team Big 12.
Mixed in with all of that disappointment, though, was at least one bright spot.
REQUIRED READING: NFL mock draft: Could Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan plummet in 2025 NFL Draft?
Though the team around him didn't, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lived up to the preseason hype. The 6-foot-5 junior finished the season with 1,319 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on a team in which nobody else had more than 323 receiving yards or three touchdowns. His receiving yardage mark ranked him third among all FBS players. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the top wide receiver in college football (it ultimately went to Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter).
With a year of eligibility remaining, McMillan opted to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, where he'll be one of the most intriguing and coveted players available. The draft begins Thursday night with the first round, where McMillan is widely expected to go among the first 15 picks.
What spot is he projected to go? And where would that land him as he begins what many believe will be a fruitful NFL career?
Here's a look at McMillan's place in various NFL mock drafts:
Here's where NFL draft analysts have McMillan going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:
"Conventional thinking states the Panthers should go defense here. But this is a make-or-break season for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales should do everything in their power to make sure he can take the next step forward. Last offseason, they addressed the offensive line in free agency. Nonetheless, Young still lacks weapons. Xavier Legette didn’t show as much promise as he should have during his rookie season, and Adam Thielen isn’t getting any younger. McMillan is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, but to me, he’s WR1. Give Young a 6-foot-4 target who has big-play ability and was one of the most productive players in college football over the last two seasons. His expertise in winning at the point of attack – thanks to his volleyball experience – will be a welcome attribute for Young and the Panthers."
"Amid a raging debate about whether McMillan is truly a top-flight wide receiver and the pre-eminent prospect at his position, maybe the 6-4, 219-pound target will find a home as a high-end No. 2 option. McMillan would contrast nicely with CeeDee Lamb as a perimeter threat who can elevate one of the league's worst red-zone offenses."
"The wait ends for McMillan. He's not blazing fast, but he wins with an excellent catch radius, strong hands and very good routes. The Texans must hit receiver and offensive line hard in the draft, and I like the fit of McMillan joining Nico Collins, Christian Kirk and eventually Tank Dell (knee)."
"Is this a quarterback landing spot? And if so, which one? New Orleans hasn’t drafted a first-round quarterback in 53 years (Archie Manning in 1971), but anything is possible with the recent Derek Carr injury news. However, I’m not sold that the Saints love their options here, so in this scenario they opt to upgrade the receiver depth chart."
"McMillan is another player who draws polarizing opinions, but a lot of people are overthinking it. He may not be Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson, but he can be Tee Higgins. A lot of teams could use a Tee Higgins. The Cowboys could use a Tee Higgins."
REQUIRED READING: Bryce James, son of LeBron James, officially signs with Arizona men's basketball
Here's a scouting report from USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly on McMillan:
"McMillan isn't a deep threat but wins with his outstanding catch radius at 6-foot-4 and route running. He's a fluid athlete with impressive body control when getting vertical for contested catches."
Ostly compared McMillan and his skill set to Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals and Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tetairoa McMillan mock draft: Arizona WR's NFL draft projections
Continue reading...
Under first-year head coach Brent Brennan, a Wildcats team that was the No. 21 team in the US LBM Coaches Poll in the preseason finished just 4-8, losing seven of its final eight games on its way to a three-way tie for 13th in the 16-team Big 12.
Mixed in with all of that disappointment, though, was at least one bright spot.
REQUIRED READING: NFL mock draft: Could Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan plummet in 2025 NFL Draft?
Though the team around him didn't, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lived up to the preseason hype. The 6-foot-5 junior finished the season with 1,319 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on a team in which nobody else had more than 323 receiving yards or three touchdowns. His receiving yardage mark ranked him third among all FBS players. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the top wide receiver in college football (it ultimately went to Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter).
With a year of eligibility remaining, McMillan opted to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, where he'll be one of the most intriguing and coveted players available. The draft begins Thursday night with the first round, where McMillan is widely expected to go among the first 15 picks.
What spot is he projected to go? And where would that land him as he begins what many believe will be a fruitful NFL career?
Here's a look at McMillan's place in various NFL mock drafts:
Where will Tetairoa McMillan go in 2025 NFL Draft?
Here's where NFL draft analysts have McMillan going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:
USA TODAY Network Live Mock Draft: Round 1, No. 8 overall to the Carolina Panthers
"Conventional thinking states the Panthers should go defense here. But this is a make-or-break season for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales should do everything in their power to make sure he can take the next step forward. Last offseason, they addressed the offensive line in free agency. Nonetheless, Young still lacks weapons. Xavier Legette didn’t show as much promise as he should have during his rookie season, and Adam Thielen isn’t getting any younger. McMillan is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, but to me, he’s WR1. Give Young a 6-foot-4 target who has big-play ability and was one of the most productive players in college football over the last two seasons. His expertise in winning at the point of attack – thanks to his volleyball experience – will be a welcome attribute for Young and the Panthers."
USA TODAY: Round 1, No. 12 overall to the Dallas Cowboys
"Amid a raging debate about whether McMillan is truly a top-flight wide receiver and the pre-eminent prospect at his position, maybe the 6-4, 219-pound target will find a home as a high-end No. 2 option. McMillan would contrast nicely with CeeDee Lamb as a perimeter threat who can elevate one of the league's worst red-zone offenses."
ESPN's Field Yates: Round 1, No. 25 overall to the Houston Texans
"The wait ends for McMillan. He's not blazing fast, but he wins with an excellent catch radius, strong hands and very good routes. The Texans must hit receiver and offensive line hard in the draft, and I like the fit of McMillan joining Nico Collins, Christian Kirk and eventually Tank Dell (knee)."
The Athletic: Round 1, No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints
"Is this a quarterback landing spot? And if so, which one? New Orleans hasn’t drafted a first-round quarterback in 53 years (Archie Manning in 1971), but anything is possible with the recent Derek Carr injury news. However, I’m not sold that the Saints love their options here, so in this scenario they opt to upgrade the receiver depth chart."
CBS Sports: Round 1, No. 12 overall to the Dallas Cowboys
"McMillan is another player who draws polarizing opinions, but a lot of people are overthinking it. He may not be Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson, but he can be Tee Higgins. A lot of teams could use a Tee Higgins. The Cowboys could use a Tee Higgins."
REQUIRED READING: Bryce James, son of LeBron James, officially signs with Arizona men's basketball
Tetairoa McMillan scouting report
Here's a scouting report from USA TODAY's Ayrton Ostly on McMillan:
"McMillan isn't a deep threat but wins with his outstanding catch radius at 6-foot-4 and route running. He's a fluid athlete with impressive body control when getting vertical for contested catches."
Ostly compared McMillan and his skill set to Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals and Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tetairoa McMillan mock draft: Arizona WR's NFL draft projections
Continue reading...
