Raekwon McMillan Bio
Raekwon McMillan is an American professional football linebacker. Born on November 17, 1995, in Midway, Georgia, McMillan developed into one of the most decorated high school linebackers in the country before starring at Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a College Football Playoff national championship in 2014. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft and has since played for the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans.
Across his NFL career, McMillan has built a reputation as a reliable inside linebacker whose tackling, field awareness, and special-teams value have kept him in demand. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and around 248 pounds, he combines size with football intelligence, allowing him to play all three linebacker positions when called upon. McMillan has continued to pursue his professional career into 2025, having most recently been signed by the Tennessee Titans practice squad late in the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Raekwon McMillan was born on November 17, 1995, in Midway, Georgia. He grew up in coastal Liberty County and attended Liberty County High School in Hinesville, where he quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the country. His first name comes from the celebrated rapper Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, a nod to his family’s appreciation for hip-hop culture.
At Liberty County High School, McMillan developed into a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com and was rated as the top-ranked inside linebacker in his class. He earned the High School Butkus Award in 2013, an honor given to the nation’s most outstanding high school linebacker. His combination of size, instincts, and physical tackling made him a centerpiece of the Panthers’ defense and drew recruiting attention from programs across the country.
McMillan’s football foundations were shaped by the close-knit community of coastal Georgia, where Friday-night football served as a centerpiece of local life. Coaches and teammates have credited his family environment with instilling the discipline and toughness that defined his play. Those early experiences prepared him for the jump to Big Ten football and eventually to the NFL.
Path to American Football
McMillan’s recruitment was one of the biggest storylines in the 2014 cycle, with several of the country’s top programs pursuing the elite linebacker. He chose to continue his career at Ohio State, a program with a deep tradition of producing NFL-caliber linebackers. The Buckeyes’ defensive scheme and pro-style development made Ohio State an ideal landing spot for a prospect of McMillan’s skill set.
At Ohio State, McMillan joined a stacked linebacker room and competed for snaps immediately. As a freshman in 2014, he appeared in 13 games, recording 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and a pass defended. His contributions helped the Buckeyes capture the inaugural College Football Playoff national championship that season, an early career highlight that signaled his arrival on the national stage.
After two more productive seasons in Columbus, McMillan declared for the 2017 NFL draft following his junior year. His decision was based on his strong film, his physical profile, and his readiness to compete at the professional level. NFL analysts ranked him among the top ten linebackers in the draft, with some outlets listing him as the second or third best inside linebacker available.
Raekwon McMillan Career
Early Career (2017–2019, Miami Dolphins)
The Miami Dolphins selected McMillan in the second round (54th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft, making him the seventh linebacker taken that year. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $4.69 million, including a signing bonus of $1.55 million. McMillan entered training camp projected as the starting strongside linebacker after Koa Misi’s retirement and impressed coaches with his ability to learn all three linebacker positions.
His rookie year was cut short on August 10, 2017, when he tore his ACL during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the entire 2017 season. McMillan returned healthy in 2018 and started all 16 games at middle linebacker, recording 105 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection. In 2019, he played 13 games before a hamstring injury ended his season in Week 15, after which he was placed on injured reserve in December.
Las Vegas Raiders Tenure (2020)
On August 29, 2020, McMillan was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders along with a 2021 fifth-round draft pick in exchange for a 2021 fourth-round selection. The move gave him a fresh opportunity after three seasons in Miami. McMillan played 16 games during the 2020 season, primarily contributing on special teams, where he recorded 27 total tackles. His willingness to embrace a specialist role extended his career and demonstrated his value beyond traditional defensive snaps.
New England Patriots Era (2021–2024)
McMillan signed with the New England Patriots on March 19, 2021, seeking a fresh start under one of the league’s most disciplined defensive systems. His first season with New England ended quickly, however, after he suffered a torn ACL in practice and was placed on injured reserve on August 7, 2021, missing the entire year. Despite the setback, the Patriots signed him to a one-year contract extension through 2022 on September 27, 2021, signaling their belief in his long-term potential.
McMillan opened the 2022 season as a starting linebacker alongside Ja’Whaun Bentley but was eventually moved into a rotational and special-teams role as the year progressed. He finished the 2022 campaign with 35 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery touchdown. On March 10, 2023, he signed another contract extension, but a partially torn Achilles tendon suffered during organized team activities in May 2023 landed him on season-ending injured reserve once again.
In August 2023, the Patriots rewarded McMillan with a one-year, $2.25 million extension despite the latest injury setback. He returned in 2024 and played nine games, recording 45 total tackles. McMillan was waived by New England on November 8, 2024, closing a four-year stretch that was heavily affected by injuries but also highlighted his perseverance.
Tennessee Titans Chapter (2024)
On December 24, 2024, McMillan was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, and four days later he was promoted to the active roster. He appeared in the final two games of the Titans’ 2024 season, contributing one tackle. The brief stint provided McMillan with another opportunity to continue his NFL journey and positioned him as a candidate for further work in 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of McMillan’s career are his 2014 College Football Playoff national championship at Ohio State, his 105-tackle 2018 season with the Dolphins, and the 2022 fumble recovery touchdown he scored for the Patriots. He also earned the High School Butkus Award in 2013 and was twice named First-team All-Big Ten in 2015 and 2016.
Raekwon McMillan Career Wins and Honors
McMillan’s resume features major team and individual accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels. He won a College Football Playoff national championship as a true freshman in 2014, was a Second-team All-American in 2015, and earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2015 and 2016. While his professional career has been marked more by durability battles than trophy collections, his longevity across four NFL franchises stands as a notable achievement in its own right.
College Highlights
During three seasons at Ohio State, McMillan played in 39 games and totaled 275 tackles, six sacks, ten passes defended, two forced fumbles, and an interception. His freshman-year tackle totals and national title set the tone, while his sophomore and junior campaigns established him as one of the premier linebackers in the Big Ten. Those performances made him a second-round selection and laid the foundation for his professional career.
Other Performances
Beyond Ohio State, McMillan contributed on special teams with the Raiders in 2020 and served in rotational defensive roles with the Patriots in 2022 and 2024. His willingness to adapt to various defensive schemes and team needs has been a hallmark of his professional journey.
Raekwon McMillan Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Raekwon McMillan grew up in Midway, Georgia, and has kept his family life largely private. His unique first name reflects the cultural influence of his family and their appreciation for hip-hop, particularly the Wu-Tang Clan. McMillan has not publicly disclosed detailed information about his parents or siblings, and he maintains a low profile regarding his personal relationships.
Personal Life
McMillan is known to be active on social media, where he shares glimpses of his training and off-field life. Beyond football, his path from a small Georgia town to the NFL serves as an inspiration to young athletes in his community. Public information about his marital status, spouse, or children has not been widely reported.
2025 Season Outlook
After joining the Tennessee Titans late in 2024, Raekwon McMillan entered the 2025 offseason looking to secure a more permanent roster spot. The Titans’ linebacker room will be a key area to watch, and McMillan’s experience in multiple defensive systems could give him an edge as a veteran depth option. His special-teams background also makes him an attractive piece for a team looking to strengthen its coverage units.
Injury history will remain a storyline for McMillan as he pursues another NFL opportunity, having dealt with two torn ACLs and a torn Achilles in recent seasons. Conditioning and durability will be central themes throughout training camp and the preseason. If healthy, he offers a starting-caliber inside linebacker capable of filling in across all three linebacker spots.
McMillan’s football IQ, leadership, and resume of big-stage performances from Ohio State through the NFL position him well for another professional chapter. Whether he earns a defined role in Tennessee or catches on elsewhere, his 2025 campaign will be about proving that he can stay on the field and contribute consistently. His track record of overcoming adversity suggests he will enter the new season motivated and prepared.