Panthers rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan: 'I'm looking forward to bringing joy back'

Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Arizona, All-American receiver Tetairoa McMillan is settling in with the Carolina Panthers as one of the more exciting rookies in this year's class.

He's already had a rookie minicamp to get his bearings in Charlotte, showed off his No. 4 jersey and started building a rapport with new teammates, especially third-year quarterback Bryce Young. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver took a few minutes to talk with FOX Sports about how he's preparing for his NFL debut and how much better the Panthers can be in 2025.

FOX Sports: You've signed on, if you will, with Sharpie, and got to put your autograph skills to full use at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles. Have you perfected that NFL autograph already?

McMillan: I actually changed my signature once I got to the league. It kind of looks like a star.

FOX Sports: What was rookie minicamp like for you, to get that first taste of the NFL, even if it's just against other rookies?

McMillan: I would definitely say that was a dope moment. That was probably one of the first times where it felt real. Going through the whole draft process the last four or five months, then finally getting to put on a jersey and go out to the practice field. It was a blessing. I'm just looking forward to competing vs. the defense and getting acclimated with the people in the building, my teammates, the coaches, as well as the playbook.

FOX Sports: What are your first impressions of your new head coach, Dave Canales?

McMillan: Man, I love him. I feel like I'm a little biased, just because he's a Cali kid like me. Just the things that he's done, his résumé, what he's done with big X receivers, I can see myself in the offense that he