Expectations for the matchup between elite 2025 NFL Draft prospects Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter
It's not often we get the chance to see two players with top-five NFL Draft aspirations face off literally against one another in college. With Travis Hunter being healthy enough to play for Colorado as they take on Arizona this week, the showdown of star Wildcats receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Hunter looms large. Make no […]
It's not often we get the chance to see two players with top-five NFL Draft aspirations face off literally against one another in college. With Travis Hunter being healthy enough to play for Colorado as they take on Arizona this week, the showdown of star Wildcats receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Hunter looms large.
Make no mistake, the 2025 NFL Draft results will be impacted on Saturday evening. But this is actually the second time these two elite playmakers have faced off. This is a rematch of their 2023 battle.
Last season, McMillan and Arizona triumphed over Colorado in a closely contested game in Boulder, finishing 34-31. McMillan was instrumental in the victory, leading the Wildcats with nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Arizona's offense showcased impressive balance last November, totaling 214 yards through the air and 207 on the ground, scoring two touchdowns each via passing and rushing.
Hunter was the defender assigned to cover McMillan more than any other Colorado player during that matchup, as noted by Pro Football Focus.
Despite the significant size disparity—McMillan stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 212 pounds, giving him a 4-inch and 27-pound advantage over Hunter—Hunter mostly kept the physical receiver under control.
McMillan was targeted 15 times throughout the game, with five of those while being defended by Hunter. Although Hunter limited him to just three catches for 15 yards and one first down, McMillan made a two-yard touchdown catch, utilizing his size to outmaneuver Hunter and executed a remarkable one-handed grab.
Later in the third quarter, Hunter was called for pass interference while covering McMillan. The longest gain McMillan achieved against Hunter was seven yards.
Though Hunter conceded the touchdown, it was due to a well-placed pass from Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, aimed where only McMillan could make a play on it.
Hunter has recorded 49 receptions for 587 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Defensively, he has tallied 17 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble, which ultimately secured a win for Colorado against Baylor.
This season, McMillan is continuing his All-American-level performance for Arizona, boasting 42 receptions for 742 yards and four touchdowns. His standout games have been somewhat inconsistent.
He had an exceptional Week 1 against New Mexico, catching 10 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns, followed by a less impressive two catches for 11 yards against Northern Arizona.
He also had two significant performances in losses to Kansas State (11 catches for 138 yards) and Texas Tech (8 catches for 161 yards) but has not found the end zone since his explosive Week 1 outing.
