Where the Wildcats are going in the draft

The Arizona Wildcats football team failed to live up to expectations in the 2024 season, but it didn’t mean they lacked talent. They have a bonafide first round talent in wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, another in offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea who’s expected to be in the early rounds of the draft, and a third in Jacory Croskey-Merritt who could be a late round pick and has generated some interest from teams. In all, it’s shaping up to be a productive draft season for the Wildcats and their fans who hope to see their favorite players compete at the next level.

Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan had a season that will go down in the Wildcats‘ history books. The Hawaiian native was named a First-team AP All-American, First-team All-Big 12 and finished third in the FBS by corralling the ball into his hands for 1,319 receiving yards to lead the Wildcats, also leading the team with 84 receptions and eight receiving touchdowns. In his final season, he set the Wildcats career record with 3,423 receiving yards and the single game record when he had 304 yards against New Mexico in Week 1. Needless to say, McMillan is one of the greatest Wildcats in school history. Our Fran Duffy projects him to be either a low-end number-one receiver or high-end number-two receiver at the NFL level.

Bleacher Report: 8th to Panthers

NFL 7 round: 18th to Seahawks

NFL/Jeremiah: 22nd to Chargers

CBS 7 round, PFF: 6th to Raiders

Athletic: 9th to Jaguars

Yahoo: 23rd to Packers

NBC: 12th to Cowboys

Jonah Savaiinaea

A second prospect projected to be drafted out of U of A, the Wildcats product is generally expected to go within the early rounds. The Big-12 Honorable Mention member produced a pass-blocking grade of 83.4 and run-blocking grade of 62.8, holding the opponent to just four sacks across 738 snaps. Savaiinaea has shown some versatility playing on the offensive line at guard and both tackle positions for the Wildcats while displaying a high football IQ. At 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, he lacks elite foot quickness and flexibility that could hinder him once he reaches the NFL level. Still, he’s projected as a good backup with potential to be a starter.

NFL 7 Round: 37th to Raiders

PFF: 99th to Giants

CBS 7 round: 58th to Texans

Athletic: 45th to Colts

NBC: 59th to Ravens

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Croskey-Merritt does not hold the same prospect pedigree that McMillan and Savaiinaea hold but still has some promise in his own right. Unfortunately, he was only able to play in one game this last season due to eligibility issues. In his lone game, he averaged 8.2 yards per carry and forced seven missed tackles. Previous seasons he played at Alabama State and New Mexico before becoming a Wildcat. A good overall athlete, Croskey-Merritt possesses excellent feet, good speed bursts, can be tough to take down to the ground and earned the Shrine Bowl MVP in his first action since Week 1 by rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

CBS 7 round: 229th to Steelers

NFL 7 round: 249th to 49ers

Athletic: 152nd to Cardinals