Raekwon McMillan

McMillan was born in Midway, Georgia. He was named after rapper Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan.{{Cite web |last=Muma |first=Steven |date=December 16, 2013 |title=5-star Raekwon McMillan announces commitment to Ohio State |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/12/16/5214052/raekwon-mcmillan-announcement-commitment-ohio-state-recruiting |access-date=March 13, 2014 |publisher=SB Nation}}{{Cite web |last=Staples, Andy |date=January 27, 2014 |title=All-Name Team: Best monikers in the 2014 recruiting class |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140127/recruiting-all-name-team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131104220/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140127/recruiting-all-name-team/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=March 13, 2014 |publisher=SI.com}} He attended Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Georgia. He won the High School Butkus Award in 2013.[http://savdailynews.com/Content/Sports/Prep-Sports/Article/Raekwon-McMillan-Wins-High-School-Butkus-Award/4/47/44031 Raekwon McMillan Wins High School Butkus Award] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131213201414/http://savdailynews.com/Content/Sports/Prep-Sports/Article/Raekwon-McMillan-Wins-High-School-Butkus-Award/4/47/44031 |date=December 13, 2013 }} McMillan was a five-star recruit by Rivals.com and was the top-ranked inside linebacker in his class.[https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Raekwon-McMillan-126947 Rivals.com]

McMillan played college football at Ohio State. As a freshman in 2014, he appeared in 13 games making 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception returned for 24 yards, and a pass defended. As a sophomore in 2015, he played 13 games with 119 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2016, he played 13 games with 102 tackles, two sacks, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. After his junior year, McMillan declared his intentions to enter the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web|url=http://sports.usatoday.com/2017/01/04/ohio-state-linebacker-raekwon-mcmillan-will-enter-nfl-draft/|title = USA Today}}

McMillan received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine and positional drills. He also participated at Ohio State's highly anticipated pro day, but opted to only run positional drills. Seven general managers and nine head coaches attended Ohio State's pro day to scout McMillan and ten other prospects.{{Cite web |last=Ben Axelrod |date=March 23, 2017 |title=Ohio State 2017 Pro Day: Results, updates and live blog for the Buckeyes' top prospects |url=https://www.landof10.com/ohio-state/ohio-state-2017-pro-day-updates-results-live-blog/ |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=landof10.com}} McMillan had private workouts and visits with 11 teams that included the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, and New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |last=D.J. Byrnes |date=March 16, 2017 |title=Skull Session: Gareon Conley's Rise, Patriots to Work Out Raekwon McMillan, and Dontre Wilson Cool with Taking His NFL Spot |url=http://www.elevenwarriors.com/skull-sessions/2017/03/80839/skull-session-ohio-state-football-gareon-conley-patriots-raekwon-mcmillan-dontre-wilson-terrelle-pryor |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=elevenwarriors.com}}{{Cite web |last=K.D. Drummond |date=April 10, 2017 |title=2017 Draft: 7 Prospects the Saints are showing heavy interest in |url=http://saintswire.usatoday.com/2017/04/10/new-orleans-saints-2017-nfl-draft-prospect-multiple-meetings-tarell-basham-taco-charlton-pat-mahomes/ |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=saintswire.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kyle Phelps |date=March 18, 2017 |title=Bengals met privately with Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan |url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/3/18/14963386/bengals-met-privately-ohio-state-linebacker-raekwon-mcmillan |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=cincyjungle.com}}{{Cite web |last=Luke Easterling |date=March 13, 2017 |title=Patriots, Steelers among 11 teams set to meet with Raekwon McMillan |url=http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/03/13/patriots-steelers-among-11-teams-set-to-meet-with-raekwon-mcmillan/ |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=draftwire.usatoday.com}} The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected McMillan to be selected in the second or third round. He was ranked the second best inside linebacker in the draft by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, the third best inside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com, the fifth best linebacker by Sports Illustrated, and was ranked the tenth best linebacker in the draft by ESPN.{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 24, 2017 |title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=si.com}}{{Cite web |last=Jeff Legwold |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Bucky Brooks |author-link=Bucky Brooks |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Bucky Brooks' top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-5-2017-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-3-0-0ap3000000802450 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000797165/Raekwon-McMillan-2017-Combine-Workout Raekwon McMillan’s NFL Combine Workout]

| video2 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000790399/Raekwon-McMillan-runs-4-61-40-yard-dash Raekwon McMillan runs a 4.61 40-yard dash]

}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1 7/8

| weight = 240

| dash = 4.61

| ten split = 1.61

| twenty split = 2.69

| shuttle = 4.39

| cone drill = 7.15

| vertical = 33

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 1

| bench = 23

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 33

| hand span = 9 3/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Raekwon McMillan Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/raekwon-mcmillan/32004d43-4d50-6702-63e4-e55d03e6b958 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130702&DraftYear=2017 |title=2017 Draft Scout Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=May 31, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51621 |title=Raekwon McMillan 2017 NFL Draft Profile |website=insider.espn.com |access-date=December 2, 2022}}

}}

The Dolphins selected McMillan in the second round (54th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2017 |title=McMillan drafted by Dolphins in second round |url=https://coastalcourier.com/news/mcmillan-drafted-by-dolphins-in-second-round/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Coastal Courier}} He was the seventh linebacker selected in 2017.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On May 5, 2017, the Dolphins signed McMillan to a four-year, $4.69 million contract with $3.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.55 million.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Raekwon McMillan contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/raekwon-mcmillan-21795/ |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=Spotrac.com}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000804239/Dolphins-select-Raekwon-McMillan-No-54-in-the-2017-NFL-Draft Dolphins draft Raekwon McMillan 54th overall]

}}

McMillan entered training camp slated as the starting strongside linebacker after Koa Misi retired due to a neck injury. He impressed coaching staff and learned all three linebacker positions. McMillan remained the apparent front-runner throughout camp, but saw minor competition from Mike Hull and Neville Hewitt.{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Starting lineup, 53-man roster projections for all 32 NFL teams |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x170724/2017-nfl-training-camps-preview-all-32-teams-rookies-watch-veterans-bubble-preseason |access-date=January 20, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Koa Misi Out; Raekwon McMillan The X-Factor |url=http://www.dolphinssidelinereport.com/koa-misi-out-raekwon-mcmillan-the-x-factor/ |access-date=January 20, 2019 |website=dolphinssidelinereport.com}}

On August 10, 2017, McMillan made his professional debut in the Miami Dolphins’ first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, but left the game after suffering an apparent knee injury. The following day, it was confirmed that he had a torn an ACL and had abruptly ended his rookie season.{{Cite web |last=Baumgard |first=Josh |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Raekwon McMillan suffers torn ACL, out for 2017 season |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20313050/dolphins-rookie-lb-raekwon-mcmillan-season-torn-acl?sf105390825=1 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}} On September 2, 2017, the Miami Dolphins officially placed McMillan on injured reserve.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/6e2a4fb4-c259-4543-947d-0c866ce56319 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024159/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/Dolphins-Make-Roster-Moves/6e2a4fb4-c259-4543-947d-0c866ce56319 |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}

McMillan entered training camp slated as the de facto starting middle linebacker. Head coach Adam Gase named McMillan the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season, along with outside linebackers Kiko Alonso and rookie Jerome Baker.{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Joe |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Miami Dolphins reveal regular-season depth chart and we learned this |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins-reveal-regular-season-depth-chart-and-learned-this/aSKVujMzGlphBY2ZOLi7QN/ |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=PalmBeachPost.com}} He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Dolphins’ season-opener against the Tennessee Titans and recorded six combined tackles during their 27–20 victory.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins - September 9th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201809090mia.htm |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On December 23, 2018, McMillan collected a season-high ten combined tackles (six solo) during the Dolphins’ 17–7 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins - December 23rd, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812230mia.htm |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He started in all 16 games in 2018 and recorded 105 combined tackles (69 solo), two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection.{{Cite web |title=Raekwon McMillan 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiRa02/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

McMillan entered the 2019 season as the Dolphins starting middle linebacker. He played in 13 games before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 17, 2019.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Dolphins Sign Calvin Munson, Raekwon McMillan Placed On IR |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-sign-calvin-munson-raekwon-mcmillan-placed-on-ir |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}

On August 29, 2020, McMillan was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, along with a 2021 fifth-round draft pick, for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick, which they eventually re-acquired in a trade for Lynn Bowden{{Cite web |last=Bonsignore |first=Vincent |date=August 29, 2020 |title=Raiders trade for Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/raiders-trade-for-dolphins-linebacker-raekwon-mcmillan-2107700/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}} He played 16 games during the 2020 season, primarily on special teams, making 27 total tackles.{{Cite web |title=Raekwon McMillan 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiRa02/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=Dec 24, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

On March 19, 2021, McMillan signed with the Patriots.{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Patriots Sign DL Montravius Adams and LB Raekwon McMillan |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-dl-montravius-adams-and-lb-raekwon-mcmillan |access-date=March 19, 2021 |website=Patriots.com}} He suffered a torn ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve on August 7, 2021, missing the 2021 season.{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=August 7, 2021 |title=New England Patriots place linebacker Raekwon McMillan on injured reserve with torn ACL |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31981683/source-new-england-patriots-lb-raekwon-mcmillan-suffers-torn-acl-miss-season |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2021 |title=Patriots Re-Sign LB Cassh Maluia; Place TE Dalton Keene and LB Raekwon McMillan on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-lb-cassh-maluia-place-te-dalton-keene-and-lb-raekwon-mcmillan-o |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Patriots.com}}

He signed a one-year contract extension through 2022 on September 27, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Oliver |date=September 28, 2021 |title=Patriots reportedly sign injured linebacker Raekwon McMillan to one-year extension |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2021/9/28/22697596/new-england-patriots-reportedly-sign-injured-linebacker-raekwon-mcmillan-to-one-year-extension |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=PatsPulpit.com}} McMillan entered the 2022 season as a starting linebacker alongside Ja'Whaun Bentley, but was relegated to special teams and a backup player as the season progressed. He finished the season with 35 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Raekwon McMillan 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiRa02/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 10, 2023, McMillan signed a contract extension with the Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Buchmasser |first=Bernd |date=March 10, 2023 |title=Report: Patriots re-sign linebacker Raekwon McMillan ahead of free agency |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/3/10/23634692/nfl-free-agency-patriots-re-sign-linebacker-raekwon-mcmillan |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Pats Pulpit |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}} On May 25, it was announced that McMillan had suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon at organized team activities and would be placed on season-ending injured reserve, missing the entirety of his 2023 season once again.{{Cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Cody |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Patriots' Raekwon McMillan suffers Achilles injury at OTAs, set to miss entire 2023 season, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/patriots-raekwon-mcmillan-suffers-achilles-injury-at-otas-set-to-miss-entire-2023-season-per-report/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

Despite the injury, McMillan signed a one–year, $2.25 million contract extension with the Patriots on August 14, 2023.{{cite web | last=McElroy | first=Jordy | title=Report: Injured Patriots LB Raekwon McMillan gets one-year extension | website=Patriots Wire |publisher=USA Today| date=2023-08-14 | url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2023/08/14/injured-patriots-raekwon-mcmillan-one-year-extension/ | access-date=2024-12-28}} He played nine games for the Patriots during the 2024 season, making 45 total tackles.{{Cite web |title=Raekwon McMillan 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McMiRa02/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=Dec 24, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}} He was waived on November 8, 2024.{{cite web | title=Patriots Claim DE Yannick Ngakoue Off Waivers From the Baltimore Ravens | website=Patriots.com | date=2024-11-08 | url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-claim-de-yannick-ngakoue-off-waivers-from-the-baltimore-ravens | access-date=2024-12-28}}

On December 24, 2024, McMillan was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, and promoted to the active roster four days later.{{cite web |last=Brener |first=Jeremy |website=Sports Illustrated |title=Titans Sign Former Pats LB |date=December 24, 2024 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/tennessee-titans-sign-former-new-england-patriots-raekwon-mcmillan |access-date=December 24, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Titans Make a Flurry of Roster Moves Ahead of Sunday's Game vs Jaguars|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-make-a-flurry-of-roster-moves-ahead-of-sunday-s-game-vs-jaguars|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=December 28, 2024}} He contributed to the final two games of the Titans' 2024 season, recording one tackle.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Twitter}}
• [https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/players-roster/raekwon-mcmillan/ Tennessee Titans bio]
• [http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/raekwon_mcmillan_883345.html Ohio State Buckeyes bio]

{{Navboxes

|title=Raekwon McMillan—awards, championships, and honors

|list=

{{Dick Butkus Award (high school)}}

{{2014 Ohio State Buckeyes football navbox}}

{{Dolphins2017DraftPicks}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:McMillan, Raekwon}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Las Vegas Raiders players

Category:Miami Dolphins players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players

Category:People from Midway, Georgia

Category:Players of American football from Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Tennessee Titans players