Former Wildcat Tetairoa McMillan named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

T-Mac received his crown as the top offensive rookie in the NFL this season. 

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver and former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during NFL Honors in San Francisco on Thursday. 

McMillan was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year over New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. 

McMillan's mother, Shawny, presented McMillan with the award on the NFL Honors stage and said her son is "humble, loyal and he has a heart of gold. A God-fearing man who values family and friendship over everything." 

Added McMillan's mother: "To set the record straight, his name is Tetairoa — not Tet!"

McMillan said he's "super blessed and humble to receive this award.

"The most humbling thing is I know I couldn't have done this by myself," he added. "I want to thank my mom for always being there for me; she's the real soldier. I want to thank my family for teaching me the importance of humility and respect. ... God has been so amazing to me. He has blessed me with so many great opportunities and has surrounded me with incredible people who have invested in me and have impacted my life. God is amazing." 

McMillan, who is the highest-drafted offensive Wildcat in NFL Draft history, led the rookie class in receiving yards (1,014) to go along with seven touchdowns this season. McMillan's yards is tied for 14th in the NFL. He is the only rookie receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards in the current class. 

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McMillan is the first ex-Wildcat to finish a season with 1,000-plus receiving yards since tight end Rob Gronkowski with the New England Patriots in 2017. McMillan is the first UA receiver to have 1,000-plus receiving yards since Vance Johnson, who was a running back at Arizona, in 1989.

McMillan hauled in his first touchdown grab against the Dallas Cowboys in October. He had three catches for 29 yards and two touchdowns in that overtime win. McMillan gifted the game ball to his grandfather, Willie McMillan, who celebrated his 75th birthday that day. The younger McMillan was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week for his two-touchdown performance. 

McMillan accounted for 25% of Carolina’s targets in the regular season, and finished with the most receiving yards by a rookie in franchise history. 

McMillan is the only former Arizona Wildcat to earn NFL Rookie of the Year honors. 

Other Wildcats to receive NFL awards: Gronkowski, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2014, and linebacker Tedy Bruschi, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2005. 

McMillan helped the Panthers (8-9) to their first postseason appearance in eight seasons. Carolina lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 34-31, in the NFC Wildcard Round. McMillan had five catches for 81 yards in his playoff debut. 

McMillan is one of 11 former Wildcats to appear in an NFL game this season, along with running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (San Francisco 49ers), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (New York Giants), kicker Nick Folk (New York Jets), kicker Lucas Havrisik (Green Bay Packers), kicker Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens), defensive tackle Roy Lopez, offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (Green Bay Packers), defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace (Kansas City Chiefs) and offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (Miami Dolphins). 

The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honor is another achievement in McMillan's illustrious career. McMillan was a consensus All-American and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year in his last season at Arizona in 2024.