Arizona Professional Athletes

The McMillan Show

Tetairoa McMillan didn't just have a good game Sunday night. He had a statement game.

The second-year Carolina Panthers receiver torched the Detroit Lions for 14 catches, 192 yards, and two touchdowns in Charlotte's first Sunday Night Football appearance in 11 years — a 32-26 Panthers upset win that turned heads across the league. The performance set career highs across every major category and earned McMillan NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, his first such award.

What made it more remarkable: McMillan was operating in a depleted receiver room. With Xavier Legette on injured reserve and Jalen Coker sidelined, the Arizona product was the undisputed focal point of every defensive scheme Detroit threw at him. He accounted for 43 percent of Carolina's total yardage. The Lions knew the ball was going his way. It didn't matter.

The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Carolina faced a third-and-14 from their own territory, the Lions having just cut the lead to six with 3:38 remaining. Quarterback Bryce Young — who finished with 329 yards and two scores — scrambled under pressure and located McMillan near the sideline for a clutch conversion that effectively sealed the game. Young called the connection "special" after the final whistle.

McMillan was equally composed before the game even started, making a point during player introductions to pronounce his first name in the traditional Polynesian manner — a small but deliberate nod to his heritage on the sport's biggest weekly stage.

Fantasy managers and opposing defensive coordinators alike are now on notice.

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Two More Wildcats Worth Watching

McMillan wasn't the only Arizona alum making noise this week.

Ravens kicker Tyler Loop delivered a jaw-dropping 64-yard field goal in Baltimore's 24-7 halftime lead over the Tennessee Titans — a boot that staked the Ravens to a commanding cushion, with Baltimore ultimately winning 24-18. For a rookie kicker still carving out his place on an NFL roster, that kind of moment in a tight positional competition is hard to overstate.

Meanwhile, Raiders safety Treydan Stukes remained in the news for a hit on Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton in Las Vegas's 27-30 loss to Kansas City. The play initially drew scrutiny and the prospect of a fine, but Stukes ultimately avoided punishment — the league determining the tackle did not warrant a penalty. It was a turbulent week for the rookie, who had recently returned to action for the Raiders just in time for the AFC West showdown.

Falcons kicker Nick Folk also logged a clean performance in Atlanta's 45-24 Monday Night Football blowout of the New Orleans Saints, going perfect on all scoring attempts alongside former Patriots teammate Jake Bailey. For the 41-year-old veteran, every reliable night is another argument for continued employment.

The headliner, though, was never in doubt. McMillan's Sunday night put Tucson on the NFL's front page — and with Carolina's passing attack finding its footing around him, it likely won't be the last time.

Tyler Loop Rewrites His Story in Rio

A year ago, Tyler Loop was the guy who missed the kick. On Sunday in Brazil, he became the guy who made the one nobody saw coming.

The Arizona alum drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Baltimore Ravens over the Dallas Cowboys, 34-31, in what amounted to a seven-second masterpiece: Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers over the middle, Baltimore burned its final timeout, and Loop stepped onto the Maracanã turf and did the rest. The Ravens carried him off the field. The NFL world did the rest.

The backstory made it land harder. Loop's missed field goal in the final week of the 2025 regular season had kept Baltimore out of the playoffs entirely — a wound that hadn't fully healed entering this season. Jackson told reporters afterward that he pulled Loop aside before the kick and delivered a simple message: his legacy was starting now. Loop delivered, then punctuated it with a full Cristiano Ronaldo "Siuuu" celebration — arms wide, chest out — on the same hallowed ground where the real Ronaldo has performed it countless times. The internet didn't miss it.

Loop was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, and Sports Illustrated framed the moment as something beyond a single kick — a second-year specialist who "was essentially born again in the eyes of fans and skeptics everywhere." He even hopped into Cowboys fan and popular streamer TimTheTatman's live stream to extend an olive branch after the loss. The redemption arc was complete, and the goodwill tour was already underway.

Genesis Smith Turns Heads in LA

While Loop was stealing the show in South America, Genesis Smith was quietly making noise on the West Coast. The Arizona-bred safety recorded two interceptions against Josh Allen and the Bills in the Chargers' Week 3 matchup, including a pick that came down off a pair of wild bounces. Sports Illustrated flagged Smith as a breakout candidate at halftime, and the final box score didn't argue otherwise. The Chargers ultimately fell to Buffalo, 24-16, but Smith's performance gave Los Angeles a legitimate bright spot — and Wildcat fans something to watch in a secondary that's been gaining traction.

Around the Rest of the Alumni Corps

Jacory Croskey-Merritt's role in Washington may be expanding whether he planned for it or not. With Rachaad White ruled out ahead of Week 4, the Commanders' Arizona alum is in line for a larger workload after contributing 36 rushing yards and a reception in Washington's 33-31 win over Seattle in Week 3.

Tetairoa McMillan is still searching for his footing in Carolina. The highly touted Panthers receiver managed just two catches for 17 yards in a 21-18 loss to Cleveland, though he continues to lead the team in targets through three weeks — a sign the opportunity is there even when the production isn't yet.

And in New England, linebacker Riley Wilson's NFL journey hit a setback: the Patriots released the Arizona rookie from their practice squad this week.

The Loop moment will define this week's Wildcat dispatches — it's the kind of kick that gets remembered. But Smith's emergence and Croskey-Merritt's growing opportunity suggest Arizona's NFL footprint has more stories worth following as the season unfolds.

Tetairoa McMillan Is Already the Real Deal

Carolina's 2025 draft investment in Tetairoa McMillan is paying dividends fast. The former Arizona standout hauled in 5 receptions for 101 yards in the Panthers' dominant 34-3 demolition of the Falcons in Week 1, immediately establishing himself as one of Carolina's most dangerous weapons. That performance was enough to earn him a featured spot in Sports Illustrated's Panthers young player power rankings alongside fellow rising contributors Monroe Freeling and Jalen Coker — not bad company for a receiver still in the early chapters of his pro career.

What stands out about McMillan's debut isn't just the yardage — it's the efficiency. Five catches, a century of yards, and a lopsided win signal that the Panthers' offense ran through him when it mattered. If Week 1 is any indication, Wildcat fans have every reason to watch Carolina's box scores closely this fall.

Jordan Morgan Under the Microscope in Green Bay

Not every Wildcat is off to a flying start. Packers offensive tackle Jordan Morgan, a former first-round pick, has found himself in the crosshairs of early-season scrutiny. Morgan struggled in Green Bay's Week 1 matchup against the Vikings, with critics singling out his performance on the blindside as a core vulnerability the Packers must address. A second Heavy Sports report doubled down ahead of the team's Thursday Night Football tilt against Atlanta, putting Morgan "on blast" for continued miscues through the first two weeks.

The Packers managed to move forward with a 35-14 win over the Falcons in Week 3 — a result that may quiet the noise temporarily — but the pressure on Morgan to clean up his technique remains real. At his draft pedigree, the margin for extended struggles is thin.

Nick Folk's Rough Start in Atlanta

Speaking of that Falcons-Panthers game, another Wildcat was on the wrong side of the ledger. Veteran kicker Nick Folk, now with Atlanta, was part of a Falcons squad that got steamrolled 34-3 by Carolina in Week 1. Folk has gotten off to a slow start by his own standards, missing kicks early in the season. To Atlanta's credit, the organization has publicly backed him with a vote of confidence — but for a specialist whose entire value is precision, Folk will need to find his footing quickly.

Around the Rest of the Alumni Roster

The Week 1 slate saw several other Wildcats in action, though most played supporting roles in their teams' outcomes. Jacory Croskey-Merritt chipped in 43 rushing yards and a reception for 5 yards in the Commanders' 20-37 loss to Dallas — a quiet-but-present showing for a young back still carving out his roster role in Washington. Tyler Loop suited up for Baltimore in their 17-24 loss to New Orleans, while Roy Lopez was in uniform for Arizona's 7-31 shellacking at the hands of Seattle.

The early returns on Arizona's NFL class are a study in contrasts: McMillan is making noise at the top, Morgan is fighting to solidify his standing, and a handful of Wildcats are grinding through the early-season chaos trying to find their footing. With 30-plus active alumni across the league, there will be plenty more story lines to track as the season unfolds.

Arizona's alumni class didn't waste any time making an impression in the 2026 NFL season. From Las Vegas to Washington to Charlotte, former Wildcats left their mark in Week 1 — for better and worse.

Stukes Announces Himself in the Raiders' Secondary

The most eye-catching debut belonged to rookie safety Treydan Stukes, who picked off a pass in Las Vegas's 27–13 victory over Miami. It didn't take long for the former Arizona standout to make his presence felt at the pro level, and the interception underscored why the Raiders invested in him. For a franchise hungry to establish defensive identity, Stukes looks like a piece worth watching all season.

Croskey-Merritt Scores, but Commanders Fall Short

Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt gave Washington something to feel good about even in defeat. The former Wildcat rushed for 63 yards and punched in a touchdown against Philadelphia, adding one reception for minus-7 yards in a 24–22 loss to the Eagles. The TD showed Croskey-Merritt's red-zone value, and he's already been vocal about the team's preparation heading into Week 2 against Dallas — a sign he's settled in as a contributor with a voice in the locker room.

McMillan's Debut a Mixed Bag in Panthers' Blowout Loss

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan put up respectable individual numbers — 5 catches for 75 yards — but those figures came in the context of a brutal 59–37 blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. McMillan got off to a slow start before finding his footing as the game opened up. The target volume was encouraging for fantasy managers and Panthers fans alike, though Carolina's offense will need to clean things up considerably if McMillan's production is going to matter in the win column.

Folk Stumbles Out of the Gate in Atlanta

Veteran kicker Nick Folk, brought in by the Falcons to stabilize a position that plagued the franchise in 2025, had a rough debut against Pittsburgh. Folk went 0-for-2 on field goal attempts in a 20–13 loss to the Steelers — a jarring start for a player signed specifically for his reliability. Atlanta's front office has expressed confidence in Folk, but the pressure is already mounting after Week 1.

Loop Silences Critics in Baltimore

On the opposite end of the kicking spectrum, Ravens rookie Tyler Loop had a strong outing in Baltimore's 41–23 demolition of the Colts, nailing the longest field goal of his young career. The performance was enough to quiet any early competition concerns — the Ravens had added veteran Jake Moody to the practice squad as a contingency — and Loop climbed into the top 10 of Week 2 kicker rankings as a result.

Others to Watch

Genesis Smith (Chargers, S) and Roy Lopez (Cardinals, DT) were both active in the Chargers' 26–14 loss to Arizona, though neither registered standout counting stats. With Arizona's alumni footprint spanning rosters from Kansas City to Buffalo, Week 1 was just the opening act for what figures to be a busy season tracking Wildcats across the NFL landscape.