Panthers first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan sets goals for rookie season, works 'shift' at Raising Cane's

The Carolina Panthers selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he’s ready to do big things this fall. On3 spoke to McMillan at a Raising Cane’s event in Green Bay before the draft and asked him about his goals for his rookie season.

“On the field, I want to win the Rookie of the Year, just speaking for my rookie season, Pro Bowl, but off the field, ultimately just building a relationship with everybody in the facility,” McMillan told On3 and a group of reporters during a press conference. “At the end of the day, there’s 11 people on the field. I can’t do this on my own, so building a relationship with my quarterback, who ultimately is going to be the guy that passes me the ball or doesn’t pass me the ball. And as well as the receiver coaches, the receiver room, and just everybody that plays on the offensive side of the ball, specifically for sure.”

McMillan will be a big target for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who came into his own at the end of last season. The 22-year-old was one of the best wide receivers in the country in 2024, catching 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games at Arizona. McMillan was a consensus All-American and was also named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.

Tetairoa McMillan enjoyed working at the Raising Cane’s food truck in Green Bay

On3 also asked McMillan how playing for the Wildcats helped him prepare for the NFL. “I played in the pro offense, so that gets me ready just for the NFL offensive scheme,” he said. “I had a receiver coach that played in Arizona, that played eight years in the league, so just all the knowledge and the wisdom that I’ve built up over the past few years have been, I think it’s going to be an easy transition.”

Before Tetairoa McMillan spoke to reporters, he worked a “shift” at a Rising Cane’s food truck that was located minutes away from Lambeau Field, which is the home of the Green Bay Packers. McMillan is happy to be with the Panthers, but he enjoyed his time in Green Bay.

“Green Bay has been great so far – I could get used to being here if I get drafted to the Packers!” McMillan said in a press release. “It’s been fun being here with Cane’s, spending time with kids and fans and feeling a sense of normalcy before everything tomorrow night. I’m just waiting to hear my name called and am excited to be here with my family.”