Tetairoa McMillan was expected to be an early first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The biggest criticisms of him centered on his work ethic, and he had a reputation as a lazy wide receiver.
That didn't stop the Carolina Panthers from selecting him with the eighth overall pick. McMillan responded by tallying over 1,000 yards in his first season in the NFL. He displayed the same level of talent with the Panthers that he did at the University of Arizona and finished with 1,014 receiving yards with seven touchdowns to help the Panthers end a seven-year playoff drought.
Here is more on McMillan's background, including his hometown and more on his collegiate career.
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Where is Tetairoa McMillan from?
McMillan was born in Waimanalo, Hawaii. When he was one, he and his family moved to Southern California. He grew up in Anaheim, attending Servite High School.
Where did Tetairoa McMillan go to college?
McMillan was initially committed to the University of Oregon. He flipped his commitment to the University of Arizona, deciding to follow his high school teammates Noah Fifita, Jacob Manu and Keyan Burnett to the Wildcats.
In the age of the transfer portal, McMillan stayed at Arizona throughout his college career. He played three years for the Wildcats before declaring for the draft. Eventually, he was chosen by the Panthers with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Tetairoa McMillan college stats
Here is a look at McMillan's stats from his three years at Arizona.
| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| 2022 | 12 | 39 | 702 | 8 |
| 2023 | 13 | 90 | 1,402 | 10 |
| 2024 | 12 | 84 | 1,319 | 8 |
| Total | 37 | 213 | 3,423 | 26 |
What nationality is Tetairoa McMillan?
McMillan is an American citizen born in Hawaii. He is considered a Native Hawaiian and is of Polynesian heritage. McMillan was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year for the 2024 college season.