Tetairoa McMillan’s so good, he’s already got multiple nicknames.
There’s “T-Mac” — an obvious one grammatically. But not unlike Tracy McGrady, the former NBA star who made that nickname famous, McMillan is a gigantic, balanced and explosive athlete with an endless wingspan and massive hands.
Then there’s “Nalo,” short for Waimanalo, the small community on the windy side of Hawaii’s Oahu Island where McMillan was born. The town’s full name effectively translates to “drinkable water” in Polynesian, a nod to the area’s fertile agricultural history.
McMillan’s personal translation is a bit catchier: Nalo — “Negative Attitudes Lose Opportunities.” That’s his mantra (not to mention the slogan branded on all of his official apparel).
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McMillan’s 20th-ranked Arizona team had a big opportunity Friday night, on the road at No. 14 Kansas State. The Wildcats failed to meet the moment, losing a 31-7 blowout. McMillan, though, kept right on producing. He finished the prime-time trip to Manhattan, Kan., with 11 catches for 138 yards (12.5 yards per catch average), marking the sixth time in his last seven games dating back to last season that he’s topped the century mark.
All that, and his most impressive “catch” Friday night didn’t even count. With Arizona down big late, McMillan nearly made a highlight-reel, one-handed grab along the sideline with a defender draped all over him. His toe landed just out of bounds, resulting in an incompletion and keeping him from hitting 150 receiving yards on the night.
Still, it was another productive night for McMillan, the No. 6 prospect and WR1 on Dane Brugler’s preseason 2025 NFL Draft board.
What makes McMillan so good
When he was around age 12, McMillan’s family moved from Hawaii to California. Not long after he became one of the most unique three-sport athletes in the country. At nearly 6-foot-5 with springs in his feet, McMillan was an All-State wide receiver, an all-conference (and school record-setting) volleyball player and a basketball forward.
He’s explosive, yes. But the thing that makes McMillan truly special at that size is his body coordination, which extends all the way out to his hands. McMillan’s hand strength, and the effortless way he can pluck a ball away from his body — whether it’s an accurate throw or not — is a sight to behold. He can contort and twist in the air, much like a great dunker, while maintaining full control of his arms and hands.
The highest-rated recruit in the history of Arizona football, McMillan played alongside current Wildcats QB Noah Fifita (26-of-42 passing for 268 yards and one INT Friday night) at Servite High School. The talented receiver ultimately picked Arizona after nearly landing at Oregon, and he elected to stay this offseason despite head coach Jedd Fisch bolting to Washington.
McMillan played at 190 pounds in high school and was at 210 last season, when he broke out with 90 catches for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over just his final four games of 2023, he posted a combined 38 catches for 649 yards and three touchdowns.
There are inconsistencies in his blocking and his route efficiency, and his speed isn’t overwhelming. But, in general, McMillan has been an impossible cover for college defensive backs — a gigantic, powerful receiver who bends and twists like a much smaller one. Even last week, as Arizona’s offense clunked through a 22-10 win over Northern Arizona and McMillan recorded just two catches for 11 yards, he had an impact.
Defense have to throw multiple bodies his direction, just like Kansas State did Friday night. Often, that’s still not enough to slow him down.
Route nuance and consistency with every rep are the two remaining bumps McMillan needs to smooth out as he eyes an NFL future. Everything else shows up with natural ease — timing in the air, rerouting himself downfield for the quarterback, ball tracking and the ability to cut on a dime and make yards after the catch.
There’s really not a lot McMillan can’t do.
The best part of McMillan as a prospect? There’s no limitation to where he’d fit in the NFL. He has some Christian Watson to his game, in that he’s quick enough to win as a Z or in the slot in the right situation. He’s also a natural X receiver who, with added power, has the tools to be a beast of a weapon in the red zone or vertically anywhere on the field.
McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden III and perhaps two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter all figure to be in the mix for WR1 in the 2025 NFL Draft. So far, McMillan has done nothing to hurt his case.
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McMillan delivered his breakout season as a sophomore in 2023, joining Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze as the only three FBS players with at least 90 catches, 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdown grabs.
Not coincidentally, McMillan’s emergence last season coincided with Arizona doubling its win total from five in 2022 to 10 in 2023. Fisch departed for the Washington job this offseason, but Arizona retained McMillan, Fifita and several other key players.
#Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan is best known for his catch radius and catch point skills.
But he is a legit YAC weapon too. That’s 6-5, 210 moving like he’s 5-10, 180. Easy to stamp him with a high grade. pic.twitter.com/HhsrJ3eU1M
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) July 10, 2024
I want to see added strength and route refinement from McMillan in 2024, but he has high-level catch-point skills with better-than-expected agility after the catch. McMillan has the talent to be the first pass catcher drafted next April.
(Top photo: Scott Sewell / Imagn Images)