LOWELL, MA - Defensive lineman Vantrel McMillan has signed with the Pirates. This will be McMillan's second stint with the franchise. McMillan was a late season acquisition in 2021 and helped Massachusetts to become Champions of the Indoor Football League. He appeared in the Pirates 44-19 victory over the Bismarck Bucks in the opening round of the IFL playoffs. His play helped Massachusetts to earn its first ever playoff win. In that game he recorded 2.5 tackles including one for a loss for two yards. He also broke up one pass. He remained with the Pirates playing In three games to start the 2022 season. McMillan had 3.5 tackles, two tackles for a loss, broke up one pass and recorded 1.5 sacks in three contests before signing a contract with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. 

The 6'2", 260 lb. veteran from Albany, GA was with the Panthers for three seasons, helping the team to the USFL playoffs in 2022 and 2023. In 2022 he played in seven games making seven tackles and recording a sack. The Following year he saw the field in nine games, making two starts. McMillan had nine tackles with 1.5 sacks. He remained with Michigan as the team joined the UFL this season. 

McMillan has the distinction of signing with six professional leagues during his career. In 2017 he was invited to rookie Mini-Camp with the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. In 2018 he started four games with Montreal of the Canadian Football League making four tackles, notching a sack and a fumble recovery. Before joining the Pirates, McMillan started four games for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2020 where he was credited with four tackles.

McMillan played three seasons at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where he was a teammate of the United Bowl's Most Valuable Player, Pirates' quarterback Alejandro Bennifield. In 34 games with the Mocs, McMillan made 115 tackles with 11 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss. He also had one interception, forced five fumbles and defended three passes.
In 2016 McMillan was named to the All-Southern Conference first team as he had 57 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, had eight quarterback hurries and forced two fumbles.

About the Massachusetts Pirates
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and play their home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.