The 2025 NFL Draft is here, and the NFL world couldn’t be more fired up… unless, of course, you’re Arizona WR prospect Tetairoa McMillan.
The 6’4″ stud was fired up on the draft day media red carpet, flexing his fit with a mic drop moment. What did he say ahead of being selected?
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan Taunts Opposing DBs Ahead of Draft
When you’re a player like Tetairoa McMillan, whose stature and presence have made it difficult for defensive backs to guard him throughout his collegiate career, you’re entitled to play with swag and a little bit of a chip on your shoulder.
The confidence he exudes is one of the many reasons he’s been positioned as the No. 1 receiver on almost every draft board you come across.
This swagger was also seen Thursday night ahead of the draft when he gave opponents some bulletin board material.
To all the DBs doing the seatbelt celly next season, Tetairoa McMillan has a message for you… “Buckle up.” 💺😂@TMAC96795 | @kimmichex
📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/jvOgFH0Kcj— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 24, 2025
Last season with Arizona, McMillan hauled 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. While those stats rank high nationally, he was even better in 2023, with 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns.
For the last two years at Arizona, he has collected awards and honors, such as AP Third-Team All-American in 2023 and both AP First-Team All-American and Pro Football’s Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top receiver in 2024.
Looking back at his high school career, volleyball became an intricate part of his daily routine.
“I tell everybody — and I probably shouldn’t say it — that volleyball is my favorite sport. I probably had the most fun playing it.”
Volleyball has always been a passion and a deeply integrated part of the receiver’s training. He credits his high school’s athletic director and volleyball coach, Matt Marrujo, as an inspiration for helping him develop as a receiver:
“I think it’s a big reason why I’m efficient at what I do as far as jump balls, 50/50 balls, going up to get it. Volleyball plays a huge role in that, for sure.”
With that said, baseball was McMillan’s true love, something his family can attest to:
“If you ask my family, they’d say baseball is my best sport.”
The receiver initially believed his future lay in Major League Baseball, growing up as a shortstop and third baseman in Hawaii. He eventually gave up baseball around 14 to focus on football and never looked back.
McMillan has been a controversial figure recently. Expert analyst Todd McShay stated that he isn’t very high on McMillan, saying that he “doesn’t trust him.”
“I have reports and I know that Jedd Fisch — as one scout said — he was great when Jedd Fisch had his foot on his throat… Don’t take that the wrong way. Like, obviously it means someone who is monitoring and making sure, pushing him, pushing him, driving him correctly.
“When Jedd Fisch left town, there was a new sheriff in town and it was [McMillan]. Yep, [McMillan] didn’t like to work out and practice hard unless a scout was in attendance.
“Slowed up on the routes, okay, quitting on balls over the middle field. Didn’t think he showed attention to detail. I get offended personally for Drake London. When people say, ‘Oh, he’s the next Drake London.’ Yeah, no, he’s the same size, he makes the same acrobatic catches. Drake was a dog.”
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For McMillan, the receiver didn’t seem very phased by the comments.
“They tripping… I feel like—just turn the tape on, and it speaks for itself,” he claimed.
If the tape says anything, it shows a receiver who amassed over 1,300 yards in back-to-back seasons and 19 touchdowns.
The latest mock drafts suggest he will be selected early within the top 15 picks. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars have all been high on McMillan.
One thing’s for sure: whichever team decides to select him will make his dreams tonight.
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