Jayden de Laura has high expectations for sophomore receiver Tetairoa McMillan in 2023.

McMillan burst onto the scene last season as a true freshman for the Wildcats and immediately became one of the team’s most important playmakers. He caught 39 passes for 702 yards and 8 touchdowns a year ago.

Looking ahead to 2023, de Laura is raising the bar even higher for the star wideout.

“I feel like he’s ready to take over college football this year,” the quarterback said of McMillan on Friday at Arizona’s pre-spring media availability.

McMillan was an elite prospect in the class of 2022. He was ranked as the No. 51 overall player in the country for that cycle, per 247Sports Composite rankings.

So far, he has exceeded even those lofty expectations with Arizona. The Wildcats’ passing game could also take another big step forward in 2023. Last season, the Wildcats ranked 6th in the Pac-12 in passer efficiency rating. McMillan’s continued development — along with other players in the passing game — should be a big boost for the program.

Arizona will begin spring practice on March 14. Its annual spring game is set for April 15.