Tetairoa McMillan

Tetairoa McMillan's Biography

Tetairoa McMillan, known popularly by his nickname T-Mac, came into the world on April 5, 2003. His early life was marked by a significant transition – he was born in Waimānalo, Hawaii, but moved with his family to Southern California when he was just 12 years old. His high school years were spent in Servite High School in Anaheim, California, where he began to reveal his exceptional talent in football.

At Servite High, a young McMillan did not just handle the wide receiver position, he dominated it. Such was his flair for the sport that by his senior year, he was nominated as a finalist for the Gatorade Football Player of the Year. His remarkable performance left an indelible mark; he recorded impressive figures of 88 receptions for 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns. By the end of his high school career, McMillan had chalked up a total of 179 receptions for 2,640 yards and 34 touchdowns.

In 2022, McMillan’s exceptional talent and incredible work ethic were acknowledged when he was selected to participate in the 2022 All-American Bowl. Not only that, but in the very same year, he was also crowned with the honor of the Polynesian Football Player of the Year award.

As a five-star recruit, McMillan was courted by several colleges. He eventually chose the University of Oregon to kick-start his career in college football – a decision he later reconsidered. Instead, he opted for the University of Arizona, joining his high school teammates Noah Fifita, Jacob Manu, and Keyan Burnett. This commitment made him the highest-rated recruit in the history of the institution.

His freshman year in 2022 saw him earn immediate playing time, where he hit the ground running with three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown against San Diego State. He kept the momentum through the season and ended the year with 39 receptions, 702 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns.

The magic continued into the 2023 season. McMillan recorded 90 receptions for 1,402 yards (ranking fifth-most in the nation) and ten touchdowns in just 13 games. He put on a magnificent show in the Territorial Cup against Arizona State, pulling in 11 passes for a record-breaking 266 yards and two touchdowns. His outstanding performance throughout the regular season earned him a place on the third-team AP All-American roster.

However, the feather in his cap came at the 2023 Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma, where McMillan received ten passes for a whopping 160 yards, contributing to Arizona’s victory. This triumphant finishing note culminated in a phenomenal seven-game winning streak that season.

Despite the departure of Coach Jedd Fisch for Washington in 2024, McMillan decided to remain at Arizona. Before the 2024 season, McMillan had the honor of being named a pre-season first-team AP All-American and was touted as a likely first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft. He started off the 2024 season on a high note, catching ten passes for a school-record 304 yards and equaling the school record with four touchdown catches in a match against New Mexico. Tetairoa McMillan, the prospective football superstar, was well on his way to etching his name in the annals of American football’s history.