Tetairoa McMillan faced as much pre-draft scrutiny this spring as any player not named Shedeur Sanders.
The Arizona receiver dealt with rumors that he doesn’t love football, he doesn’t watch tape, he doesn’t play with his head down. In the lead up to the NFL Draft this week, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay went so far as to say McMillan only practiced hard when a scout was in attendance.
Whatever concerns teams had with McMillan in the pre-draft process, it ultimately didn’t matter much. McMillan was selected 8th overall Thursday night by the Carolina Panthers, making him the highest Wildcat to be drafted since Chris Singleton was picked 8th by the New England Patriots in 1990.
Most mock drafts had McMillan being selected anywhere from 10th to the low 20s. Unsurprisingly, McMillan going 8th overall set off a flurry of reactions on social media.
Here’s a sampling of how media, fans and the Panthers organization reacted to McMillan going off the board early.
Live reaction from the McMillan clan in Waimānalo, HI! @TMAC96795 goes 8th overall in the #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/29mjBs980S
— Mackenzie Hamilton (@MackenzieHamil8) April 25, 2025
The scene in Tucson pic.twitter.com/1RWd50T3Pe
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) April 25, 2025
Arizona twitter is gonna take a victory lap on Todd McShay. 50th overall prospect on the board… get outta here.
— Matt Reynoldson (@Matt_Reynoldson) April 25, 2025
#Cowboys Micah Parsons was really upset the Carolina Panthers took WR Tetairoa McMillan.
“That was supposed to be our pick. He was supposed to be opposite CeeDee Lamb.”
Gut punch for Dallas.
( : @BleacherReport on YT) pic.twitter.com/zJqTfYTFWb
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 25, 2025
Tetairoa McMillan got that DAWG in him.
Consensus All-American, Polynesian College Football Player of the Year
Arizona’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,423) and the potential to be a true #1 WR for Bryce Young to grow with.#NFLDraft2025 #NFL #RG3 #OuttaPocket pic.twitter.com/aRpko9dhXF— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 25, 2025
Tetairoa McMillan going to the Carolina Panthers after Steve Smith Sr. disparaged him is just
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) April 25, 2025
Panthers coach Dave Canales he and GM Dan Morgan did what’s ’’best for our team’’ in selecting WR Tet McMillan. pic.twitter.com/L7pFUZpPkP
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2025
From one cat to the next@TMAC96795 | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/KgPjAlGmDj
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2025