Raekwon McMillan Bio
Raekwon McMillan, born on November 17, 1995, in Midway, Georgia, is an American professional football linebacker. Known for his instincts in the middle of the defense, he rose to national attention as a five-star recruit and a key leader on the Ohio State Buckeyes defense that captured a College Football Playoff national championship. Since entering the National Football League in 2017, he has spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans, building a reputation as a reliable tackler and special teams contributor.
Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 250 lb, McMillan uses his size and football intelligence to read plays and finish tackles. Across his professional career, he has recorded 285 total tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown. His journey from a small-town Georgia high school to multiple NFL rosters reflects steady perseverance through several notable injuries.
Early Life and Background
Raekwon McMillan was born in Midway, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Hinesville, where he attended Liberty County High School. He was named after the well-known Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, a detail that has followed him throughout his public life. His early football experiences came through community and school programs, where his combination of size and field awareness quickly separated him from his peers.
During his high school career, McMillan developed into one of the most sought-after linebackers in the country. He won the High School Butkus Award in 2013, an honor given to the top prep linebacker in the United States. Recruiting services took notice, and Rivals.com rated him as a five-star recruit and the top-ranked inside linebacker in his class. That recognition established him as a priority target for major college football programs.
Path to American Football
McMillan’s path to the NFL began at Liberty County High School, where his tackling range and football IQ drew national attention. After committing to Ohio State, he arrived in Columbus as one of the most highly regarded linebacker prospects in recent Buckeyes history. The opportunity to learn under defensive coaches with a track record of producing professional defenders helped him refine the techniques that would later define his style.
As a freshman in 2014, McMillan appeared in 13 games and produced 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception returned for 24 yards, and a pass defended, helping Ohio State win the College Football Playoff National Championship. In 2015, his sophomore year, he posted 119 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery, earning Second-team All-American honors and First-team All-Big Ten recognition. He repeated as First-team All-Big Ten in 2016 after another productive season with 102 tackles, two sacks, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. After his junior year, McMillan declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins selected him in the second round with the 54th overall pick.
Raekwon McMillan Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
The Miami Dolphins signed McMillan to a four-year, $4.69 million contract that included $3.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.55 million. He entered his first training camp as the projected starting strongside linebacker and quickly impressed coaches by learning all three linebacker positions. That progress ended abruptly on August 10, 2017, when he tore an ACL during his professional preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons, leading to a stint on injured reserve.
McMillan returned healthy in 2018 and became the Dolphins’ starting middle linebacker under head coach Adam Gase. He opened the season with six combined tackles against the Tennessee Titans and started all 16 games, finishing the year with 105 combined tackles, 69 of them solo, along with two forced fumbles and one pass deflection. In 2019, he started 13 games before a hamstring injury in Week 15 sent him to injured reserve on December 17, 2019.
New England Patriots Era (2021–2024)
On March 19, 2021, McMillan signed with the New England Patriots, but a torn ACL during practice ended his 2021 season before it began. He signed a one-year contract extension through 2022 on September 27, 2021, and returned to start alongside Ja’Whaun Bentley. By season’s end, he had moved into a special teams and reserve role, recording 35 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery touchdown. On March 10, 2023, McMillan signed another contract extension, but a partially torn Achilles tendon at organized team activities ended his 2023 campaign once again.
Despite the injury, McMillan signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract extension with New England on August 14, 2023. He played nine games for the Patriots during the 2024 season, making 45 total tackles, before being waived on November 8, 2024.
Tennessee Titans and Beyond (2024–Present)
On December 24, 2024, McMillan was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad and promoted to the active roster four days later. He contributed to the final two games of the Titans’ 2024 season, recording one tackle and adding veteran depth to the linebacker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
McMillan is recognized for his run-defense instincts, his ability to read offensive flow, and his sure open-field tackling. His size at 250 lb allows him to take on blocks at the point of attack, while his background in multiple linebacker spots has made him a flexible contributor on early downs and special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his defining moments, McMillan’s 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship as a freshman at Ohio State stands out, along with his 2018 full-season starting debut with the Miami Dolphins. His first NFL defensive touchdown and his 105-tackle campaign in 2018 further cemented his value, even as repeated injuries tested his resilience.
Raekwon McMillan Career Wins
While McMillan is a defensive player, his career wins are best measured by team victories and statistical production across his NFL stops. He has been a reliable tackler and special teams contributor for every team on his resume, including Miami, Las Vegas, New England, and Tennessee.
Other Wins & Performances
McMillan has appeared in NFL regular-season and postseason games for the Miami Dolphins (2017–2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2020), New England Patriots (2021–2024), and Tennessee Titans (2024). His career production includes 285 total tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown.
Raekwon McMillan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about McMillan’s immediate family is limited, and he has not publicly disclosed extended family details beyond his Midway, Georgia upbringing.
Personal Life
McMillan was named after Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, a detail that has shaped his public persona. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account, and continues to focus on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, McMillan enters as a free agent after his late-2024 stint with the Tennessee Titans. His experience as a starting middle linebacker and core special teams player makes him a candidate for depth roles across the league. How he fits into a defensive scheme, and whether he can stay healthy after consecutive season-ending injuries in 2021 and 2023, will define his next chapter.
Across his career, McMillan has recorded 285 total tackles and one defensive touchdown, production that highlights his value as a tackling specialist. Veteran linebackers with his profile often find roles on contending teams, and his ties to organizations like the Patriots and Dolphins could shape his 2025 outlook. Whatever the destination, his on-field intelligence and leadership give him a credible path back to a steady role.
