The Arizona Wildcats are abundant in talent (both from its recruiting class and transfer portal) and geared for vast improvement.
That gives them a significant chance at being a “dark horse” candidate for success within the Pac-12 South division and in the conference overall.
There are multiple position groups that are poised for a great season, I reviewed some in Part I.
I will move to two special position groups that will help out the Arizona Wildcats.
Offensive Line
With the Offensive Line, it is important to start the best five players to protect QB Jayden de Laura and give running lanes to the RBs.
Five of the seven offensive linemen who saw 100 snaps last season, are returning, which makes the cohesiveness of this line a big plus.
Possible OL Starting Five
- Josh Baker (Soph.)
- Josh Donovan (RS-Sr.)
- Paiton Fears (RS-Sr.)
- Jordan Morgan (Jr.)
- Jonah Savaiinaea (So.)
OL Depth
- Joe Borjon (Soph.)
- JT Hand (RS-Fr.)
- Sam Langi (Sr.)
- Shontrail Key (Soph.)
- Jack Buford (Jr.)
The Players That Fill Out The Roster
While these are good players in their own right, there are good starters and substantial depth in front of them– this is the “tertiary group”.
- Davis DiVall (RS-Fr.)
- Woody Jean (RS-Fr.)
- Leif Magnuson (Fr.)
- Grayson Stovall (Soph.)
- Anthony Patt (Soph.)
- Wendell Moe (Fr.)
- Jacob Reece (Fr.)
OL Outlook
All in all, the starting group is particularly experienced – so they can put these guys on the field.
The added bonus of depth and versatility can also decide the lineup, if anyone is injured or not performing well – changes can be made.
If Baker is still injured/out when the Aztecs game comes up, Hand can be placed at Center and New Mexico transfer Jack Buford (who played 151 snaps for the Lobos last year) can move in.
There is plenty of rotations at Guard and Tackle, so the backups certainly have opportunity to get snaps in during this season.
If things get dire (injury or suspensions) or someone is not performing to expectations, that third group can also come in to help on the line.
There will be some OL players that may play on special teams, if the lineup is given the green light by Coach Fisch and Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line coach Brennan Carroll.
But the entire composition of the line will depend on the outcomes of the position battles that will occur throughout fall camp and heading into the San Diego State game.
Continual improvement from the offensive line players will help the Arizona Wildcats in the implementation and stability of their offense.
Defense
It will be a complete “night and day” difference from last year and a huge improvement is on the horizon with this entire side of the ball.
Linebackers
The defense returns 10 of its top 15 tacklers from a season ago, including five of the top six.
With usual losses every year due to graduation, transfers, or entering the yearly NFL Draft – The Arizona Wildcats’ only significant loss was linebacker Anthony Pandy, who will be hard to replace.
With Defensive Coordinator Johnny Nansen taking over and putting in more of a 4-2-5/4-1-6 defensive scheme, it’ll be imperative to identify the players that will occupy the LB spots.
There are options such as: Michigan transfer Anthony Solomon, Malik Reed, Ammon Allen, USC transfer Hunter Echols, and Jerry Roberts, transfer from Bowling Green.
DL Kyon Barrs, a Pac-12 Second-Team selection last season, will be a big part of Arizona’s defensive successes.
Barrs had a good 2021 season when he had: 33 total tackles, eight TFLs, and a team-best five sacks in 10 games.
However, he has missed games in his career due to injuries, and foot surgery is causing him to miss spring practice this year.
Nonetheless, this defense will go as far as Barrs will take them, as he is one of the stars that will push this defense to new and improved heights.
Redshirt Senior defensive end Jalen Harris could be an All-Pac-12 conference team pick or a conference player of the year candidate by season end.
His career stats include: 121 total tackles; 19 TFLs, 11 sacks; eight passes defended, and two forced fumbles in 44 games.
The strength of the Arizona Wildcats will be their secondary.
Additionally, with the 4-2-5/4-1-6 defensive scheme, it establishes the basis that the team will have as many defensive backs on the field at one time.
Cornerbacks Christian Roland-Wallace (Jr.) and Treydan Stukes (Soph.) and Safeties Christian Young (Sr.) and Jaxen Turner (Jr.) will be starting.
The initial look will be that UCLA transfer DJ Warnell (Jr.) is the nickel defender to round out the group.
The last DB spot (if they go 4-1-6) could go to a variety of players:
CBs
- Isaiah Rutherford (Jr.)
- Ephesians Prysock (Fr.)
- Adama Fall (Fr.)
- Tacario Davis (Fr.)
- Jai-Ayviauynn (Fr.)
- Devin Dunn (Fr.)
- Jeffery Robinson (So.)
Free/Strong Safeties
- James Bohls (Soph.)
- Jayden Young (Soph.)
- Gunner Maldonado (Soph.)
- Isaiah Mays (Sr.)
- Dalton Johnson (Soph.)
- Will Uhrich (Fr.)
- Isaiah Taylor (Soph.)
- Jax Stam (Fr.)
- Samuel Chung (Soph.)
Overall, the players certainly possess the skills to get the opportunity. But, the question becomes – will be it based on talent or seniority?
There has been improvements on both sides of the ball within the past 19 months.
Which, undoubtedly, has created massive optimism, confidence, and hype surrounding the Arizona Wildcats.
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1 Comment
Be advised that neither Davis DiVall or Jack Buford are no longer on the team and you have both Grayson Stovall and Jonah Savaiinaea listed at Sophomore and they are both Freshman. Arizona has been notified of the error on the roster.