Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Size:
Height: 6041
Weight: 219
Arm: 31 ½”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
AP Third-Team All-American (2023) • AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2023)
“Tetairoa McMillan has the prototypical size, athleticism, body control, and physical dominance to be a high-level X receiver in the NFL.”
Strengths:
Size and catch radius
Route-running
Short-area quickness
Dominant at the catch point/ball tracking
Alignment-versatile
Concerns:
Top-end speed
Consistently separating
Film Analysis:
At 6-foot-5 and 200-plus pounds, Tetairoa McMillan has a rare combination of short-area quickness, fluidity running routes, and the ability to use his size to physically dominate defenders. McMillan appears to be one of the few blue-chip prospects in this draft. McMillan is one of the top receiver prospects in college football and supported this claim in 2024 with 1,300 receiving yards, making it back-to-back years of 80-plus catches and more than 1,300 yards receiving. McMillan showcases high-level physical traits in many important categories of a receiver.
As a route-runner, McMillan has a mixed array of releases, using a diamond or skip release, or opting to use his size to just overpower defenders at the line. Into his route, McMillan can mix tempo, choosing to either win with immediate quickness or slow his pace and set up defenders to free himself and uncover to catch the ball. McMillan at his height is a surprisingly smooth mover that can sink his hips in and out of breaks and run the entire route tree. In the deeper portion of the field while in full stride, McMillan can use a rocker step on defensive backs to sell a direction and quickly break the other way to uncover for the ball.
McMillan shows to have strong hands. When he can get his hands on the football, he usually comes down with it. McMillan’s most impressive catching trait is his ability to adjust to the ball, showing great body control and having the concentration to haul in the pass. McMillan on multiple occasions has bought in passes in high-traffic areas or while being double-teamed in the deeper portions of the field. McMillan uses his height to easily go up and over defenders, elevating over them to catch the ball at its highest point. McMillan has an aggressive nature to his game where he invites the physicality of being in contested situations and is confident that he will win those battles.
Running with the ball after the catch, McMillan has enough open-field elusiveness to make defenders miss. Combined with his size, he becomes a difficult tackle for defenders running through arm tackles. McMillan can take short passes (screens) and convert them for good gains using his short-area quickness and start/stop ability. Once in the open field, McMillan can open his stride and quickly pick up significant yardage to make big-time plays.
McMillan’s biggest question as a player will be his ability to consistently beat press coverage. McMillan has an upright stance that exposes his chest. High-level technicians at the corner position can shoot their hands in press and disrupt his timing and releases. Defensive backs can, at times, get into his pocket and stay in phase with him during the route.
Overall, McMillan has the prototypical size and rare athleticism that projects him to be an immediate impact player as a receiver in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: New Mexico (2024), Kansas State (2024), West Virginia (2024), TCU (2024), Colorado (2023), USC (2023), UCLA (2023), Washington (2023)
