ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Arizona freshman WR Tetairoa McMillan cracks ESPN’s top-50 newcomers list

Aug 15, 2022, 7:09 AM
(Twitter photo: @ArizonaFBall)...
(Twitter photo: @ArizonaFBall)
(Twitter photo: @ArizonaFBall)

As Jedd Fisch prepares for his second season leading the Arizona Wildcats, the vibe in Tucson is starting to turn around with some fresh faces on the team.

The Wildcats added a number of impactful transfers, including quarterback Jayden de Laura from Washington State and wide receiver Jacob Cowing from UTEP.

Arizona also brings in a highly-touted freshmen class, one that ranked No. 25 nationally and third in the Pac-12, according to 247Sports.

Of the new freshman on campus in Tucson is the highest-ranked recruit in Arizona’s program history, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

With high expectations surrounding the true freshman, McMillan made ESPN writer Tom VanHaaren’s top 50 college football newcomers at No. 47.

The 6-foot-4 receiver was ranked the No. 51 player nationally and No. 5 receiver, respectively, per 247Sports. With his long and wiry frame, McMillan could make an immediate impact for the Wildcats.

Arizona needs more playmakers on offense, and McMillan could be a day-one starter at receiver … McMillan has every opportunity to be a target for de Laura this season, and at 6-4, 185 pounds, he has the size to come in and make a difference right away.

McMillan was the only player from an Arizona school to crack VanHaaren’s newcomers list, but the Pac-12 is well-represented thanks to new USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s roster overhaul.

The Trojans are represented early and often, having the No. 1 and No. 2 newcomers in quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Jordan Addison.

Williams followed Riley to Southern Cal from Oklahoma, while Addison transferred from Pittsburgh after winning the Biletnikoff Award last year as the nation’s best receiver.

That’s not all for the Trojans, with fellow Oklahoma transfer Mario Williams at No. 11, Oregon transfer Travis Dye at No. 14 and true freshman running back Raleek Brown (former Oklahoma commit) at No. 23.

One other Pac-12 school had a player on the list: the intriguing Washington State quarterback transfer Cameron Ward.

Ward, who is set to take de Laura’s old spot with the Cougars, transferred from FCS Incarnate Word, where he put up video game-like numbers.

He threw for 4,468 yards and 47 touchdowns last season but will now face premier FBS talent.

Arizona Football

Arizona State University president Michael Crow interviews with Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona'...
Kevin Zimmerman

ASU, Arizona presidents: Not preparing to leave for Big 12

The presidents of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona went on the record reaffirming their commitment to the Pac-12.
13 days ago
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark speaks to the media during Big 12 NCAA college basketball media d...
Arizona Sports

Report: Big 12 recently contacted ASU, Arizona amid Pac-12 uncertainty

As a Pac-12 media rights deal remains undetermined, the Big 12 has recently had contact with Arizona State and Arizona, according to reports.
22 days ago
From left to right: Jerry Colangelo, Dan Bickley, Michael Bidwill and Vince Marotta on Tuesday, Feb...
Kevin Zimmerman

The Cardinals bring fresh voices and more Newsmaker Week 2023 highlights

Bickley & Marotta welcomed 25 guests representing Arizona's teams and events to their show on Tuesday through Friday. So what did we learn?
1 month ago
TUCSON, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Jedd Fisch of the Arizona Wildcats looks over his play ca...
Kellan Olson

Arizona football shifts vision of growth from offense to defense for 2023

While the previous regime didn't leave much room for anything but improvement, Arizona football is trending positively.
1 month ago
Arizona Diamondbacks CEO and president Derrick Hall visits the Arizona Sports studios on Tuesday, F...
Arizona Sports

Arizona Sports’ 2023 Newsmakers Week recap

The important figures making the biggest decisions in Arizona sports join Bickley & Marotta throughout a one week span each February.
1 month ago
Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort speaks with reporters during his introductory press conference...
Jake Anderson

Arizona’s Jedd Fisch: Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will bring an ‘unbelievable attention to detail’

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and Arizona Wildcats football head coach Jedd Fisch go back over 20 years.
2 months ago
Arizona freshman WR Tetairoa McMillan cracks ESPN’s top-50 newcomers list