Four Arizona Wildcats were named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-American Teams, while 12 earned Athlon Sports’ All-Big 12 honors.
Arizona junior wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan earned Athlon Sports first-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors. McMillan was also recently named to Phil Steele’s All-American Team.
Other Wildcats to receive Athlon Sports All-American honors include cornerback Tacario Davis (third team), linebacker Jacob Manu (fourth team) and offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (fourth team). Savaiinaea, Manu, Davis and kicker Tyler Loop were also named to the Athlon Sports All-Big 12 First Team.
McMillan, who is the highest-rated signee in Arizona football history in the modern recruiting era, will enter his third season as a mainstay in Arizona’s offense.
McMillan ended his sophomore campaign with the second-most receiving yards (1,402) in a season by a UA receiver. McMillan’s career-high happened in the 2023 Territorial Cup game, an 11-catch, 266-yard, one-touchdown performance in a 36-point win over Arizona State. McMillan was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection and received third-team Associated Press All-American honors.
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Arizona Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs by defensive back Tacario Davis (1) during spring football practice, Tomey Field, April 11, 2024.
Last season, the 6-4, 195-pound Davis grew into one of the top defensive backs nationally after leading the Pac-12 in pass breakups (16) and received an 87.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Davis entered the transfer portal following the departure of former UA head coach Jedd Fisch, but returned to Arizona following the spring practice schedule.
Manu led the Pac-12 in tackles (116) and was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and Associated Press All-Pac-12 First Team. Manu was the first Wildcat to lead the Pac-12 in tackles since Scooby Wright III in 2014.
Savaiinaea started all 13 games for Arizona last season — 12 at right tackle, one at right guard. Savaiinaea received a 70.2 grade by Pro Football Focus this past season. Savaiinaea had an 80.6 pass-blocking grade from PFF following his sophomore campaign in 2023.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, center Josh Baker, defensive back Treydan Stukes and defensive end Tre Smith were named to Athlon Sports third-team All-Big 12 selections. New Mexico running back transfer Jacory Croskey-Merritt, left guard Wendell Moe and safety Gunner Maldonado received All-Big 12 fourth-team selections.
Arizona kicks off the 2024 season at home against New Mexico on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports