Waimanalo native Tetairoa McMillan made history Thursday night, becoming the sixth Hawai‘i-born player ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers selected the former Arizona standout with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
McMillan, who starred at Servite High School in Southern California, was a three-year starter at the University of Arizona. He averaged 16.1 yards per reception throughout his college career and eclipsed 1,300 receiving yards in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He is also a two-time Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Player of the Year—earning the honor at both the high school and collegiate levels.
In a moment that celebrated both achievement and heritage, McMillan wore a lei handcrafted by his grandmother and gifted another to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after receiving his Panthers jersey on stage.
McMillan joins an exclusive list of Hawai‘i-born first-round NFL Draft picks:
• Tetairoa McMillan (Waimānalo) – No. 8 overall, 2025 (Carolina Panthers)
• Chris Naeole (Kahuku) – No. 10 overall, 1997 (New Orleans Saints)
• Tyson Alualu (Kalihi, Saint Louis) – No. 10 overall, 2010 (Jacksonville Jaguars)
• DeForest Buckner (Wai‘anae, Punahou) – No. 7 overall, 2016 (San Francisco 49ers)
• Tua Tagovailoa (‘Ewa Beach, Saint Louis) – No. 5 overall, 2020 (Miami Dolphins)
• Marcus Mariota (Honolulu, Saint Louis) – No. 2 overall, 2015 (Tennessee Titans)