Peters Township’s McMillon makes dream come true
Donovan McMillon of McMurray believes in the Declaration of Independence not to mention the Constitution, particularly the Ninth Amendment. For unalienable rights mentioned in those documents catapulted the 2021 Peters Township High School graduate to success.
“If there is anything football has taught me, it’s positivity and happiness,” said McMillon. “Because whether you are playing football or doing whatever, life is about the pursuit of happiness. Football has kept me in positive spirits and it continues to make me happy.”
Immediately after the 2025 NFL Draft concluded, McMillon emerged ecstatic. Although undrafted, the 6-2, 203-pound safety received a call from Cleveland. The Browns wished to sign him as a priority free agent.
He reported to Cleveland, put his signature on a contract and embarked on his professional career during rookie minicamp, which was scheduled for May 9-11. The expectation is to be invited to training camp in August and to ultimately win a spot on the regular season’s 53-man roster.
Sitting through the draft was “definitely stressful” but a “fun experience” said McMillon. He added that whether drafted or not, he made his goal happen.
“Obviously, everybody’s dream is to get drafted but mine is to get to the NFL,” he said. “I get a chance to sign a contract and a chance to play for an NFL team. I’m pretty excited about my opportunity. My goal is to do whatever it takes to make the roster, get on the field and help the team win.”
When the NFL Draft ended, McMillon had several inquiries. He talked to the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. He went with the Browns because of their need for safeties as well as Ephraim Banda, who served as a safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator for the University of Miami during his 11-year collegiate career.
“Each team would give me a chance but when I went through the list some teams, like the Steelers, already had six or seven safeties on their roster. Some had up to eight. Others as little as four,” McMillon said.
“I had a gut feeling about Cleveland. I looked at who was coaching and I’ve known (Banda) for a long time and they have one of the best special teams coaches. With the Browns, there’s a great opportunity to make some noise.”
During his amateur career, McMillon made such a commotion.
Out of high school, he was one of the WPIAL’s most heavily recruited players during his tenure at Peters Township. He was ranked as high as 15th among safeties in the nation.
An All-State performer, he led the Indians to a 20-3 record and consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championship appearances his junior and senior seasons. McMillon also excelled in wrestling. He was a WPIAL and PIAA state Class 3A 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. The 100 pushups every day. The extra work. Going to the field. Being part of a program,” he added.
McMillon said it was exciting to be part of the rebuilding process at Peters Township, which hadn’t won a conference championship since 1975 before picking up back-to-back banners in 2020 and 2021.
“It all came together. We switched the program around. It continues to grow and that’s exciting. Peters Township gave me nothing but blessings and helped set me up to play in the SEC and ACC.”
After playing two years at the University of Florida, McMillon transferred to Pitt. He started two seasons at safety, earning second-team All-ACC honors. He led the Panthers in tackles in each of the last two years, combining for 220 tackles and one interception.
McMillon became the first Pitt player to record consecutive 100-tackle seasons since 2008. Additionally, he appeared in and contributed to all 50 possible games throughout his four-year college career.
College football prepared McMillon. He became both a better player and person, ready to tackle the next phase of his life.
“It was a maturity process. Becoming a man and readying for a grown-up job,” said McMillon, who graduated from Pitt this spring with a communications degree, with an emphasis on journalism and broadcasting. “From a football aspect, I became an unspoken leader. Football taught me to do what’s supposed to be done at a high level. To prepare, to study film and to push myself to be perfect in practice so things come easy in games.”
At the next level, McMillon shifts into preservation mode. In the NFL, McMillon said that players physically prepare themselves to play from the beginning of May to “quite possibly” February.
“It’s not about being the fastest or strongest. It’s about longevity and if your body can take that so that when December rolls around you are not falling apart.”
When he arrives in Cleveland, McMillon said he plans to continue working on his strength and speed. He’s “going all in at 180 percent” yet he’s adopting the philosophy of players who have lasted in the league.
“Perfecting my craft, being me and playing football like I do is the plan but the best ability in the NFL is availability and consistency. Go do your job and be available and stay healthy. Taking care of your body is the most important thing you can do. Anything other than that is a bonus.”
Playing for the Browns carries an added bonus for a boy from Pittsburgh. Because the Steelers and Cleveland are in the same division, they play each other twice.
“I’ve never been someone who had a favorite NFL team. Like, ‘oh, I’m going to the Browns and I’m a Steelers fan.’ I have always just loved the games and the amazing players. The rivalry will be a lot of fun. I don’t think it’s really hit me until I get to Cleveland.
“For me, it’s one day at a time,” McMillon continued. “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.”