Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan returning to Arizona for 2024 season
Saturday is turning out to be quite a big day in Tuscon. Not only is the basketball program renewing the rivalry against UCLA but some big football news has dropped. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan announced they would be coming back for the 2024 season, opting to not enter the NCAA transfer portal.
The offensive duo made the announcement during the first-half under-16 timeout at the basketball game. A video played on the jumbotron before some Arizona football players gathered at center court. Everyone in the crowd went crazy, knowing how important Fifita and McMillan will be moving forward.
Arizona posted the short video on social media shortly after, with Fifita saying there is “unfinished business” and McMillan made it official with a “we’re running it back.”
You can check out the announcement video here.
Questions were asked about the future following Jedd Fisch leaving Arizona in favor of Washington. Both guys were recruited by Fisch and had been part of the great turnaround, reaching a high point with a 10-win season in 2023.
With Brent Brennan coming to the desert from San Jose State, another rebuild could have taken place with players deciding to leave. Getting Fifita and McMillan for at least one season is huge for the program, hoping to now keep the momentum rolling in a positive direction — especially while transitioning from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan running it back for Arizona
The relationship between these two goes back to high school, playing with each other at Anaheim (CA) Servite High School. Both were members of Arizona’s 2022 recruiting class, with McMillan being the highest-ranked prospect of the bunch. At the time, it was a huge recruiting win for Fisch.
While McMillan was an instant impact addition, Fifita took some time to get on the field. Jayden De Laura suffered an injury early in the 2023 season and when Fifita took over, he never gave the job back. The quarterback wound up throwing for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 12 appearances.
To no surprise, McMillan was on the receiving end of a bunch of those stats. He hauled in 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. Had he decided to enter the portal, nearly every single big-time program in college football would have fought for his services.
Instead, it should be another fun offensive season at Arizona, even if they are breaking in a new head coach.