Tetairoa McMillan and Mason Graham, former high school teammates from Servite High School in Southern California, are now both NFL players after being selected as Top 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The two reflected on their journey during a joint practice between the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns this week.
McMillan admitted that while at Servite, he never thought about making it to the NFL. “Naw,” he said when asked if he ever imagined this outcome. When pressed, he reiterated with a shake of his head: “No.” Graham also expressed disbelief at how far they had come since their high school days. “You’re crazy,” Graham laughed. “I mean, we both have the talent and drive and work ethic to get here, but you know, doing that, making that actually happen is pretty crazy.”
Servite High School has produced 17 NFL players over the years, including Steve Beuerlein, Ryan Kalil, Matt Kalil, Keith Taylor, and Turk Schonert. Both McMillan and Graham developed as standout athletes during their time there—McMillan was a four-star recruit named one of the top receivers in his class by 247Sports (https://247sports.com), while Graham grew into a highly regarded defensive tackle by his senior year.
Their college careers took them to opposite sides of the country—McMillan played for Arizona and Graham for Michigan. Over three years at Arizona, McMillan recorded 209 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns. At Michigan, Graham finished with 108 tackles and nine sacks from the defensive tackle position.
Their high school volleyball coach Matt Marrujo spoke highly of both athletes: “I know it’s hard to describe; it’s definitely special, and it’s a testament to those two guys and everything that they’ve done…the best thing about both of them—they’re just incredible young men and great examples of our school.”
As they trained together ahead of the draft, they discussed their chances of going early in the first round. “We wanted to be those two guys that could do that,” said Graham. “And we made it happen.”
On draft night in Green Bay, Mason Graham was selected fifth overall by Cleveland after a trade moved Jacksonville up to No. 2 overall; Tetairoa McMillan went eighth overall to Carolina three picks later.
“I was fired up. I think I was more hyped seeing him get drafted than I was myself,” said McMillan about watching his friend go before him.
Asked why it mattered so much for Graham to be picked first among them, McMillan replied: “I think he deserved it…I always said he was the best player in the country.”
The pair will not directly face each other in Friday’s preseason game but look forward to spending time together off-field as well.
Said Graham: “That’s always been my guy, and it’s cool to see us at the highest level playing against each other.”
