Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis.
By STEVE REED | AP Sports Writer
The Carolina Panthers gave quarterback Bryce Young a legitimate deep threat on Thursday night, taking Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound McMillan was a first-team All-American last season and ranked third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards while averaging 15.7 yards per catch. He led the Wildcats with 84 receptions and had eight touchdown catches.
He is the first Arizona receiver to be selected in the first round of the draft.
It's the second straight year the Panthers have taken a receiver in the first round. They selected Xavier Legette from South Carolina in 2024.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, celebrates with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis.McMillan is viewed as a polished player. He set a school record with 3,423 yards receiving, breaking the mark previously held by current Arizona wide receivers coach Bobby Wade. He set a school record and caught the eyes of scouts with a 304-yard receiving game against New Mexico. The Panthers opted to improve their offense in the first round instead of addressing a defense that was the league's worst last season.
Carolina allowed a league-high 31.4 points and 404.5 yards per game in 2024, including a whopping 179.8 yards on the ground, and Georgia edge rusher Tavon Walker was believed to be high on Carolina's wish list.
However, the Panthers felt good about addressing their defensive needs in free agency. They spent nearly $250 million to sign defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, linebackers Pat Jones II and Christian Rozeboom, and safety Tre'Von Moehrig, and re-sign cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson.
VIEW LARGER Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) reaches for the ball over West Virginia cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. 
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