Arizona Wildcats Insider Podcast: Evaluating UA NFL Draftees

Arizona will have four players entering their first year in the NFL and we breakdown the chances of each one have major impact.

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Welcome! To another edition of the Arizona Wildcats Insider Podcast featuring your host Troy Hutchison, who will be delivering a daily podcast discussing everything happening surrounding Arizona athletics giving you an inside look at all the programs on campus.

Hutchison has been covering Arizona for the last seven years with his coverage spanning all-across UA’s campus from football and men’s basketball to Title IX sports. Plus, with so many former Wildcats playing at the next level in their prospective sports there will be moments where he will take a deep dive into the Cats execling outside of Tucson.

To watch today's episode, view below.

In today’s episode, Hutchison talks about the Wildcats entering their first year in the NFL after getting drafted.

Arizona’s football history isn’t as storied as basketball with the program only making 22 bowl games and recording four 10-win seasons with two coming in the last eleven years. In 1998, the Wildcats finished with a school-record 12 wins capped off with a 23-20 win over Nebraska.

Throughout time, Arizona has seen many great players come and go, moving on to the next level and making an impact in the NFL. In all, The Wildcats have had 290 players get selected in the NFL Draft and most recently saw seven players over the last two drafts be selected.

The player that was selected the highest in program history was linebacker Ricky Hunkey, who was taken with the No. 7 overall pick by the Denver Broncos during the 1984 draft.

This past season, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan came close to that pick when he was drafted No. 8 overall by the Carolina Panthers. McMillan ended his Arizona career leading the program in receiving yards with 3,423 to go along with his 213 receptions and 26 touchdowns.

Overall, Arizona has seen five players selected in the Top 10 of the draft with the first one in Walt Nelsen, who was taken with the 10th pick by the New York Giants in 1939.

Outside of McMillan, Arizona saw offensive lineman Jonah Saviinaea go with the No. 37 overall pick to Miami.

After that, Wildcats Tyler Loop and Jacory Croskey-Merritt were elected in the later rounds making it four Arizona players taken in the draft.

All four players will have a chance to potentially be key contributors in their first year of the NFL even though McMillan will have all the spotlight on him after being taken so high.

Please watch the podcast and let us know which player will have the biggest impact in their rookie season. To do so, follow us on our X account by clicking on the link.