Aug 28, 2025 By Eleanor Bailey 3 min read

Donovan McMillon wasn’t too concerned when he was passed over in the NFL Draft back in April. That wasn’t the Peters Township graduate’s goal.

“Everybody’s dream is to get drafted but mine is to get to the NFL,” he said after signing a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.

Today, McMillon is living the dream. On Aug. 26, he made the final cut when NFL rosters were reduced to 53 players.

McMillon will be one of 10 defensive backs on the Cleveland roster when the Browns host the Cincinati Bengals at 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at Huntington Bank Field. The game will be televised on FOX.

A 6-2, 203-pound safety, McMillon will have his official homecoming when the Browns visit Pittsburgh on Oct. 12 at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff against the Steelers is 1 p.m.

McMillon earned his spot on the roster after a solid training camp. He made seven tackles and broke up two passes.

He adds depth to the secondary, which has been revamped especially at the safety position. He is ranked third in the depth chart behind veterans Grant Delpit and Rayshawn Jokins.

McMillon arrived in Cleveland via the University of Pittsburgh and Florida.

At Pitt, he was a second team selection to the Atlantic Coast Conference all-star squad. He recorded back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, a feat not performed since 2008. He finished with 220 tackles and one interception. He had a season-high total of 15 last fall against Cincinnati.

Before Pitt, McMillon toiled two seasons with the Gators. He registered 30 tackles in 25 games and made the SEC academic honor roll in 2022.

During his scholastic years, McMillon was one of the WPIAL’s most heavily recruited players. He ranked as high as 15th among safeties in the nation.

He spearheaded Peters Township’s rebuilding process. The Indians hadn’t won a conference championship since 1975 when McMillon helped them pick up back-to-back banners in 2020 and 2021. An All-State performer, he led the Indians to a 20-3 record during those campaigns and consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championship appearances.

McMillon also excelled in wrestling. He was a WPIAL and PIAA state runner-up at 182 pounds.

“Peters Township is where it all started,” McMillon said. “It was about learning to take advantage of every opportunity and do the right things no matter who is watching,” he added. “Peters Township gave me nothing but blessings and helped set me up for the future.”

McMillon acknowledges the role his family has played in his success. “They are my rock,” he said.

His mother, Shelley, is a “calming” influence”, while his father, Darrin, is the person he “looks up to the most” and helped him negotiate adulthood and “becoming a man” as well as football. His brothers, Darius, Dane and Davin, are his “best friends” whom he is excited for their own futures.

McMillon’s own future is now. He’s hoping it’s long in duration.

“It’s one day at a time,” McMillon said. “Having the opportunity to live out my dream is icing on the cake. I hope to be playing football for as long as I can.”