Though they experienced the different emotions that come with a win and a loss, fellow Arizona football products Tetairoa McMillan and Jacory Croskey-Merritt both displayed exactly why they were drafted by their respective NFL teams on Sunday.
McMillan, the highest drafted pure wide receiver at No. 8 (Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Hunter not included), hauled in five receptions for 68 yards for the Carolina Panthers. Third-year quarterback Bryce Young targeted McMillan the most of his pass catchers (nine times) and the 6-foot-5 receiver also led his team in receiving yards.
His most explosive pickup of the day was for 21 yards on a catch-and-run on Panthers’ only touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.
McMillan would’ve had an incredible grab in first three minutes of the second half, if not for him using a bit of the turf to secure a ball. Nonetheless, the play showed the rookie’s hand strength and highlight potential.
Tet McMillan showing off his strong hands
CARvsJAX on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/HgVhSRW8xt
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Though McMillan’s Panthers lost 23-10 on the road against the Jaguars, running back Croskey-Merritt was the Washington Commanders’ leading rusher with 82 yards in a 21-6 win over the New York Giants.
Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had 10 carries and one touchdown, featuring a breakout run for 42 yards late in the fourth quarter. He was at the right hip of quarterback Jayden Daniels before being handed the ball at the Commanders’ own goal line, and one sidestep to the right was all he needed to accelerate to top speed.
Already with the 15-point advantage, Washington did not make a push to score but the back set his team up for victory formation on the Giants’ end of the field.
JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT 42 YARDSpic.twitter.com/6uwO8OyHrg
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) September 7, 2025
Croskey-Merritt had three carries for 23 yards on his scoring drive, which was capped in the end zone with consecutive six-yard runs.
The 5-foot-10 Wildcat was opposite of former Arizona State Sun Devil running back Cam Skattebo, who had a quiet first NFL game for the Giants except for smashing a few heads on his first touch.