The roster status for fall as it stands right now Pre-Spring Camp and some of these players will not arrive until after Spring Camp is long over. I am listing them all either way and we will get a better picture of things as we get Spring Camp updates. Some players can still leave. Some can return from the portal if they choose, although I do not see that happening. We can still add a player or two as well. We currently have two players committed but not signed. The JC DB Brandon Holmes is expected and is included. The WR Hamisi Juma has yet to sign, but is still expected as I understand it.
Please feel free to add any info concerning the position groups and or individual players from these groups as we move closer to Spring Camp and beyond.
The first position group I will cover has a major turnover and was a real strength to this team last year. We got a glimpse of what happens when we lose so much during our bowl game with SMU. It wasn't until the second half was well underway before we got the DBs steady and shut down SMU. I believe that game will be used as a launch pad for the upcoming season. The talent is going to be there, but the clear communication and experience will need to come quickly if we ae to duplicate or improve this position group for 2026.
We lose 11 players to graduation, the draft, and the transfer portal. Obviously Stukes, Smith, and Johnson have been together for several years and that chemistry is now gone. Garnes, Dansby, and Killebrew are gone from the CBs. Luttrell is also gone as well as others.
We return or retain 10 DBs from last year. Jay'Vion cole should be one of the starting CBs as he returns. There has been lots of positive updates about Dajon Hinton. Gavin Hunter and Coleman Patmon are expected to be competing for starting roles. Swayde Griffin has ability and could surprise, but will have to show it in Camp. Others returning are Price, Brown, Olson, Miller, and Taliauli.
We add the following players to our DBs this year. Xaier Hiler as a freshman who could see PT very early on as he will be on campus from Spring Camp. Hannibal Carter-Navies is also a solid pickup from the HS ranks and could surprise at some point his freshman year. Brandon Holmes is a JC transfer and Lil Bro Kingston Spivey. The other additions are from the portal.
Zuri Watson was the last portal pickup we have had to date. Daylen Austin should be a solid get from the portal as a former high 4 start kid that was buried at Oregon as a freshman. There are grand reviews of Cam Chapa even though he comes from a smaller school. Malcolm Hartzog should compete right away as a starter coming from Nebraska. Others include Tyrese Boss, Lee Molette 3rd and Dwight Bootle 3rd round out the DBs. While it could be difficult to duplicate last years DB performance, it is not impossible. This group has talent, jus lacking in experience and chemistry going into Camp.
The second position group We will look at is the DL.
Over all I call this a push. I think we will actually improve in the area next year. Palu became the starter at one interior spot later in the season. We lose McKnight, but we have players to step in. Our depth may be young, but we should be fine.
Losses include starters McKnight and Savea, but only Bailey played a big part of the rotation last year outside of those two. Also gone are Owens, Bilal-Jones, Okundaye, and Anderson. Anderson was gone early on and is only listed because he was there early, so we rally lose six players here rather than seven.
Returning is a solid core of what we had last year minus McKnight. Tre Smith was given an extra year for medical and should be a highlight reel waiting to be shown. Julian Savaiinaea has improved with each season since he has been here and that trend is expected to continue. Dominic Lolesio is another player that has improved each season and that should also conitnue. Leroy Palu earned that starting position late last season and should hold that this yea. Zac Siulepa came on strong near the end of the year and should continue to improve this coming season as he will have his first Spring Camp with the team. Ezra Funa is a similar mold of Palu and by RS'ing him he will contribute for two more years. The biggest surprise and a huge returning factor for our DL this year is SO Mays Pese. This kid has really performed for us as a freshman and should star for us this coming season. Porter Patton has a RS year under his belt now. We also have Ammon Kaufusi and Christian Madoski returning. You can see here we alreay have a solid core of DL guys before additions even come into play.
The additions we bring in this year are kids that can contribute right away with the exception of Harvie Moeai who will be serving an LDS mission for the next two years before joining the program. Cooper Blomstrom is an edge from the portal who should see the rotation right away. Kevin Moorer is a JC guy that plays the Edge, but could slide inside as well. Manoah Faupusa is huge! He brings a stopper mentality to the middle of our DL. Keytrin Harris is just a solid addition to any program and will likely see the rotation this year. Prince Williams is another Edge guy and could see the field this year as well. I love this group for our 2026 class.
The third group we look at is the LB position. Similar the Th DL, we could actually improve in the area this coming year. We do lose some talent, but I believe we bring in equal too or better than what we lose.
We lose 4 players total including play makers Riley Wilson and Max Harris. Stacy Bey, who I thought had a great opportunity next year, and flop Blake Gotcher who should have stayed at a smaller school.
We return a solid core, but really need play makers and depth. Taye Brown is solid in the middle. Chase Kennedy has been a play maker at times. Myron Robinson could be our best run stopper, but will be recovering from injury and may get a late start to the season. I am looking forward to seeing him fully healthy! Jabari Mann has improved nicely since arriving and that trend should continue. Leviticus Su'a has never really turned the corner here, but the staff believes he can son we will have another wait and see season with him. If he doesn't get there this year he might try the portal? Carter Jones came in last year and then we have Hanger, Buggie, and Craddock as well.
Additions to this group are solid. Perhaps a better group of incomers than outgoing players. Everett Roussaw brings strength and experience. Matai Tagoa'i never saw the field at USC as a freshman, but was a high four star guy out of HS and should show that right away. Jaden Parker is what I would call our typical 2 star Scoob type of player if he were a two start guy. He is not! Three stars for him. LOL! He brings a solid frame and we will see if can get into the rotation sometime during his freshman year. Dash Fifita is a gem! He is small like his brother, but plays a big game! Trinity League D Player of the Year two times? Yes! Let's see if he can bring that to the next level.
I have big expectations for the DL and LB groups this next year. The front 6/7 should be better than just solid.
Special Teams look ahead
What we lose:
Ian Wagner whose leg was very effective on kick offs this last year.
Tyler Prashun
Isaac Lovison
Avery Salerno
What we still have:
Michael Salgado-Medina
Broden Molen
What we have coming in:
LS Drew Nicholson
K Ryan Harris
P Chase Ridley
The one thing we definitely need this year is a consistent kicking game.
The next group we look at will be the OL. This could be a strength or a weakness depending how fast this thing comes together. Look for the OL to improve as the year goes on with the new guys learning to play with each other. Chemistry will be the key.
What we lose:
Jordan Brown got his extra year but left us high and dry.
Siale Uluave came in over 400 lbs and now he is taking his games elsewhere.
Michael Wooten never really hit expectations and will have a new home as well.
Ise Matautia
Ka'ena Decambra will be hard to replace
Chubba Maae
Chance Roberts
Ty Buchanan
What we have returning:
Keona Peat
Sione Tohi
Rhino Tapa'atoutai following his knee injury he seems to have lost a step and may need to move inside.
Javian Goo
Alexander Doost
Jaxon Griffin
Zarius Wells
Tristan Bounds got an additional year
Louis Akpa
Matthew Lado
Grayson Stovall
Isaac Perez
Additions
Zachary Henning just may be our starting C
Nate Hale
Jake Griffin now gets to play with his brother.
Kaisi Lafitaga
Nathan Allen will be serving an LDS Mission for two years
Khalil Sanogo
Justin Morales
Malachi Joyner
I believe the talent level of this OL has the potential to be very good. The key will be the chemistry and communication up front.
Let's look at the QB position.
I call this a strong position group.
Gone is Breadyn Locke.
Returning:
Noah Fifita
Sawyer Anderson
Mason Brey
Luke Haugo
Incoming is Oscar Rios
Looking at the RB position group next.
This should also be a very strong group play as well.
What we lose:
Ismail Mahdi.
What we return:
Kedrick Reescano
Quincy Craig
Wesley Yarbrough
Cornelius Warren 3
Anthony Wilhite
What we have coming in:
Antwon Roberts
We did lose a solid RB commit in Smith, but the staff brought in a strong young player from the portal in Roberts.
Let's look at the TEs.
It looked like the TEs would be a strength to start last season, but that turned quickly. We limped through the season at this position, but we are all thankful for Sam Olson.
What we lose:
Keyan Burnett who left the team early and never really contributed to this team.
Kaden Luke who was a fullback that was listed with the TEs.
Cameron Barmore
Sam Olson who really played well last year.
What we have:
Tyler Mustain
John Hart
Kellan Ford who did the freshman RS thing last year.
Tyler Powell who looked really to be a strength up to the play that ended his season.
What is coming in:
Henry Gabalis who may very well RS
Arthur Ban
Shane King
Cole Rusk who appears to be the star of the new guys.
This group could be a real strength or maybe not, but it will be deeper than last years group and should show some improvement.
We'll finish this up with the WR group.
I think we are at least a push on the changes in this group. Could be an improvement overall.
What we lose:
Jeremiah Patterson
Kris Hutson
Javin Whatley
Rex Haynes
Devin Hyatt
Luke Wysong
Looks like heavy losses.
What we retain:
Gio Richardson
Chris Hunter
Tre Spivey
Isaiah Mizell
Brandon Phelps
Scotty Brennan
Landon Kelsey
Jordan McCloud 3
What we have coming in:
RJ Mosley
Caleb Smith
Hamisi Juma
Jordan Ross
Rodney Gallager 3
DJ Jordan
This is a very good returning group with some real star potential coming in.
https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/returners_portal_newcomers_outlook_for_arizona_defensive_backs/s1_17446_43403771
https://zonazealots.com/arizona-has-a-change-at-transfer-punter-with-addition-of-carter-schwartz