Arizona Wildcats WR Tetairoa McMillan was the consensus choice for the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Carolina executives Dan Morgan and Dave Canales believe he’s got the tools needed to become a legitimate No. 1 option for QB Bryce Young.
But that’s not all the praise the pass-catcher got. McMillan recently received some high praise from a fellow draftee, Jacksonville Jaguars CB/WR Travis Hunter. What did the former Big 12 foe say of the new Panthers receiver?
Travis Hunter Claims Tetairoa McMillan Is the Toughest Receiver He’s Faced
On a recent episode of his podcast, Travis Hunter claimed that McMillan is the best receiver he’s ever faced—lofty praise from Hunter, considering he was awarded the Heisman Trophy for being the best player in college football last season.
Game recognizes game 🙌
Travis Hunter giving some praise to Tetairoa McMillan.
“The toughest receiver that I’ve played against was you…You do everything…” pic.twitter.com/odIuFalfdx
— Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) April 30, 2025
“They definitely don’t give you enough credit, because you were definitely the toughest receiver I ever played,” Hunter told the new Panther.
“I always tell everybody that. Ask me, I’ll be like, ‘It’s not no receiver that ever gave me problems,’ but the toughest receiver I ever played against was you. You do everything. You got the speed, you got the hands. Jump, like you said, you’re tough. You’re not going to let nobody get you out of your game. Definitely the toughest I played against,” he explained.
In 2023, McMillan gave Hunter a tough time en route to nine receptions for 109 receiving yards and one touchdown when Arizona faced off against Colorado. Not many gave the cornerback this work throughout his glittering college career. Hunter did manage the matchup better last year, as McMillan only managed five catches for 38 receiving yards.
Hunter was selected second overall after the Jaguars traded up and swapped picks with the Cleveland Browns. Throughout his upcoming rookie year, he’ll have two matchups each against AFC South receivers like Titans WR Calvin Ridley, Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr., and Houston’s swath of pass-catchers like Nico Collins and Robert Woods.
The Panthers have one matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the schedule this year, so there’s a chance we’ll witness another showdown between Hunter and McMillan, assuming the Jaguars let Hunter play both ways.
The NFL’s official schedule release is scheduled for May 14. Then, we’ll see what week these two Big 12 rivals will square off.
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