Tetairoa “T-Mac” McMillan is one of the NFL’s most promising young wide receivers. After a standout Arizona career, the Carolina Panthers selected him eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he quickly turned early expectations into a major rookie-season award. As of September 24, 2026, he is in his second NFL season with Carolina.
Tetairoa McMillan’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Tetairoa McMillan |
| Nickname | T-Mac |
| Date of birth | April 5, 2003 |
| Age | 23 years |
| Birthplace | Waimanalo, Hawaii, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Position | Wide receiver |
| High school | Servite High School, Anaheim, California |
| University | University of Arizona |
| NFL Draft year | 2025 |
| Draft round | First round |
| Draft pick | No. 8 overall |
| Current team | Carolina Panthers |
| Jersey number | No. 4 |
| Turned professional | 2025 |
| Marital status | Not Married |
| Spouse | N/A |
McMillan is a Hawaii-born athlete who developed into a top prospect while playing high school football in California.
Early Career
Tetairoa McMillan attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California, after growing up in Waimanalo, Hawaii. He became a highly regarded receiver prospect because of his height, strong hands, ball-tracking ability, and ability to win contested catches.
McMillan chose Arizona and made an immediate impact for the Wildcats as a freshman in 2022, showing that he could produce against major-college competition.
College Career
McMillan played three seasons at Arizona from 2022 through 2024 and finished as the school’s all-time leader in career receiving yards.
He totaled 213 catches, 3,423 receiving yards, and 26 receiving touchdowns in 37 games. His biggest statistical season came in 2023, when he caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2024, he added 84 receptions, 1,319 yards, and eight scores, led Power Four programs in receiving yards, and earned AP First-Team All-American honors.
His 304-yard performance against New Mexico set Arizona’s single-game receiving-yard record.
Professional Career
The Carolina Panthers selected Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the first traditional wide receiver chosen in that draft.
He immediately became a key target in Carolina’s offense, recording 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns across 17 games as a rookie. His debut season earned him the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Through two games of the 2026 regular season, McMillan has 10 catches for 176 yards, including a five-catch, 101-yard performance against Atlanta in Week 2.
Tetairoa McMillan’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Tetairoa McMillan’s net worth sits around $10- $12 million, fueled mostly by his massive rookie contract and early endorsements.
That’s after banking a huge signing bonus and leading rookie receiver stats—smart investments and his Polynesian heritage deals are padding it quick.
Contract
McMillan signed a four-year rookie contract with the Panthers in May 2025. The deal is worth approximately $27.93 million and is fully guaranteed, reflecting his status as the No. 8 overall selection.
The agreement runs through the 2028 season, while Carolina also holds a potential fifth-year option under the NFL’s first-round rookie-contract rules.
| Contract item | Reported detail |
| Team | Carolina Panthers |
| Contract length | 4 years |
| Total contract value | $27.93 million |
| Average annual value | About $6.98 million |
| Guaranteed money | $27.93 million |
| Signed | May 2025 |
| Contract period | 2025–2028 |
| 2026 salary-cap charge | $6.35 million |
| 2026 cash payout | $2.11 million |
Salary
For 2026, McMillan’s reported cash payout is approximately $2.11 million, while his salary-cap charge is about $6.35 million.
Those two figures differ because NFL cap accounting spreads signing-bonus amounts across contract years, while cash payout reflects money paid during that specific year.
He is still on his original rookie deal, which gives Carolina cost certainty while McMillan builds his NFL résumé.
Career Earnings
| Season | Base salary | cap hit |
| 2025 | $840,000 | $5,078,253 |
| 2026 | $1,005,000 | $6,347,816 |
| 2027 | $1,120,000 | $7,617,379 |
| 2028 | $1,235,000 | $8,886,942 |
| Total contract value | — | $27,930,390 |
Achievements
| Year | Achievement |
| 2024 | AP First-Team All-American |
| 2024 | Polynesian College Football Player of the Year |
| 2024 | Arizona all-time receiving-yards leader |
| 2025 | Selected No. 8 overall in the NFL Draft |
| 2025 | AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
| 2025 | PFWA Rookie of the Year |
| 2025 | PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year |
| 2025 | PFWA All-Rookie Team selection |
Career Stats
NFL Regular-Season Receiving Stats
| Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Targets | Receiving yards | Yards per catch | Longest catch | Receiving TDs |
| 2025 | Carolina Panthers | 17 | 70 | 122 | 1,014 | 14.5 | 43 | 7 |
| 2026 | Carolina Panthers | 2 | 10 | 18 | 176 | 17.6 | 28 | 0 |
| NFL career* | Carolina Panthers | 19 | 80 | 140 | 1,190 | 14.9 | 43 | 7 |
College Receiving Stats
| Season | School | Games | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving TDs |
| 2022 | Arizona | 12 | 39 | 702 | 8 |
| 2023 | Arizona | 13 | 90 | 1,402 | 10 |
| 2024 | Arizona | 12 | 84 | 1,319 | 8 |
| College total | Arizona | 37 | 213 | 3,423 | 26 |
FAQs
1. Who is Tetairoa McMillan?
Tetairoa McMillan, commonly known as “T-Mac,” is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. He played college football at the University of Arizona before entering the NFL.
2. What team does Tetairoa McMillan play for?
McMillan plays for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. He wears No. 4 and plays wide receiver.
3. When was Tetairoa McMillan drafted?
The Carolina Panthers selected Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the eighth overall pick.
4. Where did Tetairoa McMillan play college football?
McMillan played for the Arizona Wildcats. During his college career, he became one of the nation’s most productive receivers and finished with 213 receptions, 3,423 receiving yards, and 26 receiving touchdowns.
5. How tall is Tetairoa McMillan?
Tetairoa McMillan is listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall and approximately 212 pounds. His size gives him a large catch radius and makes him a notable red-zone target.
6. Where is Tetairoa McMillan from?
McMillan was born in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on April 5, 2003.
7. What are Tetairoa McMillan’s NFL rookie-season stats?
In the 2025 regular season, McMillan played all 17 games and recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
8. What position does Tetairoa McMillan play?
McMillan plays wide receiver. He is primarily used as an outside receiving target, where his height, body control, ball skills, and ability to win contested catches are valuable.
9. What is Tetairoa McMillan’s nickname?
His nickname is “T-Mac,” a shortened version of his first and last names.
10. Why was Tetairoa McMillan a highly regarded NFL prospect?
McMillan was regarded as a top prospect because of his strong production at Arizona, large frame, reliable hands, contested-catch ability, and experience creating big plays as a high-volume college receiver.