Two days after Arizona played its 2023 spring game in April, the Wildcat football program had it’s own version of the Olympics for a “fun, team bonding session.”
Among the activities, “We did a home run derby with a Wiffle ball bat,” UA coach Jedd Fisch said.
When wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan stepped up to the plate, “He went out there and smoked it about six times and hit six home runs,” Fisch said.
“The bat was one of those small, little bats, and he went 6 for 6 and hit six home runs,” said Fisch. “There’s not much he can’t do.”
McMillan “is unbelievable,” Fisch added.
“I need to take him out on the tennis court and see if he’s got anything there,” said Fisch, who grew up playing tennis instead of football. “Right now he’s 100 for 100 in everything else we’ve done.”
Utah defensive end Van Fillinger comes from behind to stop Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan after he made a catch through the middle of the defensive backfield in first quarter. McMillan had 116 receiving yards and also threw a TD pass in the 42-18 win.
McMillan is one of those gifted individuals who is talented at everything he touches, whether it’s on the football field or away from it.
“He’s just a ball player,” said UA wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings. “We went bowling and he averaged, I think, like 200. He’s just good at everything.”
McMillan’s excellence at everything has made some of his Arizona teammates envious of the sophomore wide receiver, who has 69 catches for 976 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He’s third in the Pac-12 in receiving yards behind Oregon’s Troy Franklin and Washington’s Rome Odunze.
“I’m so jealous,” Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes said. “He’s good at every sport you can think of. Like ping-pong, something you wouldn’t even think twice about, he’s good at that. He’s probably good at pickleball. Every little sport you can think of, he’s got some training in it or something.”
During his preps career at Servite High School in Southern California, the 6-5, 210-pound McMillan was a three-sport star at football, volleyball and basketball. As a freshman opposite hitter in volleyball, he logged 105 kills and 47 blocks as an opposite hitter, a position that allowed him to use his bouncy athleticism to make plays on offense and defense. McMillan, who is the highest-rated recruit to sign with Arizona during the modern recruiting era, was best at his day job — football — and recorded 2,640 yards and 34 touchdowns over three seasons at Servite. As a two-way player in his senior season, McMillan also had eight interceptions as a defensive back.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) skips around the tackle attempt by Oregon State defensive back Jermod McCoy (23), enough to pick up first down yardage in the first quarter of the Wildcats' win over the Beavers Oct. 28 at Arizona Stadium.
“He’s a fantastic athlete. There’s probably very few sports he won’t be great at,” said Arizona offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll. “He was a fantastic volleyball player. We try to keep him out of the (UA student recreation center) as much as we can, but when he gets out there and shoots some hoops, he does some cool things with the ball in his hand, just like he does on the football field.
“There’s very few limits to what he can do. I know he’s excited and starting to talking about next year developing and getting more strength and speed and seeing how far he can take it.”
On the football field, perhaps McMillan should be gifted the title Mr. Unlimited from current Denver Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson. In the Wildcats’ last two wins against Utah and Colorado, McMillan combined for 17 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns. He’s had five 100-yard performances this season; last year, McMillan had one.
On Arizona’s opening drive against the Utes on Saturday, McMillan caught a screen pass from Noah Fifita before chucking the ball to running back Michael Wiley for a 21-yard touchdown. McMillan is the first UA player in the “StatPass” era (1996-current) with a passing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
“A lot of things come easy for him. Don’t tell him that,” joked Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu, who has been teammates with McMillan since the Servite days. “It’s crazy how talented he is. I don’t think he really knows how talented he is. For me, the work he’s been putting in this year. He was like this in high school, but he’s been putting in a lot of work this year and it shows.”
McMillan’s rise this season has turned the heads of national pundits, too. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who will be on the Territorial Cup broadcast on Saturday when the Wildcats gave Arizona State in Tempe, lauded McMillan despite the wideout not being named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, one week after he was added to the award’s midseason watch list.
McMillan “is as good as any (wide receiver) in college football,” Riddick posted on X (Twitter).
“Big, fast, has some of the best highlight, one-handed catches in college football this season,” Riddick said. “Can play inside or outside, (and has) (run after catch) skills. Turn on the tape. It’s there.”
McMillan has 373 yards after catch this season, after having 195 last year, according to Pro Football Focus, and leads the team in receiving yards.
“It’s been really cool to see him grow in the weight room and continue to grow and become a leader,” said Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan.
Among the effortless acts for McMillan, the ones that are easiest for him to make are one-handed grabs, while only having three drops this season.
His teammates aren’t surprised by any of it at this point.
“He makes all of these spectacular plays in the game, and people are wowed by it, but we see it every day,” McLachlan said. “And he does it consistently every day.
“We’re so grateful to have him be a part of this program, and he’s going to continue to shine for us.”
Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) (pictured during the first half of the Wildcats’ matchup with Washington earlier this season) has been a stalwart on the UA offensive line for years. Saturday was the last ride at Arizona Stadium for the projected NFL draft pick.
Morgan accepts Senior Bowl invitation
Another Arizona Wildcat will play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl leading up to the NFL Draft.
UA left tackle and Marana native Jordan Morgan accepted an invitation to play in the historic Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, on Tuesday, the bowl game announced on its social media platforms.
The all-star showcase features the top college football seniors who are striving to improve their NFL Draft stock.
Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who is second in the Pac-12 in receptions (74), accepted the Senior Bowl invitation on Sunday.
Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) in the first half during the Wildcats' season opener on Sept. 2 against Northern Arizona in Tucson.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury at UCLA last season, Morgan, a potential first-round pick, decided not to declare for the NFL Draft and returned for a fifth season. He’s started every game this season at left tackle.
Morgan has the fourth-best pass-blocking grade (89.5) nationally with a minimum of 500 snaps played this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Following a strong senior campaign that’s coming to an end soon, Morgan is projected as a possible first-rounder for April’s NFL Draft in Detroit. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has Morgan as the 24th-best overall prospect entering the draft. Morgan could become the first UA offensive lineman drafted in the first round since John Fina in 1992.
Morgan and Cowing will play in the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. on NFL Network.
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch recapped the Wildcats' dominant win over Utah, and discussed the team's focus leading up to the Territorial Cup game in Tempe. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
