Wildcats Start Season’s Second Half at Houston

PICK CITY: Arizona’s 9 interceptions this season are the sixth most within the nation. The Wildcats are at the moment on tempo for 18 interceptions this season, which might be probably the most for this system since pulling in 19 throughout the 2017 season. The Wildcats protection is spearheaded by Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzales, who has made led a number of INT-hungry defenses throughout his profession. From 2011–16 whereas he served because the safeties coach at San Diego State, the Aztecs pulled in 100 interceptions, the third most within the nation throughout that span. Across 12 video games final yr the Wildcats pulled in simply eight interceptions. Six totally different gamers have mixed to tug in Arizona’s 9 picks: DBs Jay’Vion Cole (2), Treydan Stukes (2), Genesis Smith, Gavin Hunter, and Jack Luttrell, alongside LB Taye Brown.

HIT SOMEONE: Early returns on Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzales’ unit have been promising, with the Wildcats rating among the many high 25 groups within the nation in whole protection (tenth), passing protection (eleventh), scoring protection (nineteenth), and speeding protection (twenty fifth). The Arizona protection has additionally been busy within the turnover division, pulling in 11 turnovers throughout the primary 5 video games of the season after logging solely 16 throughout 12 video games final season. The Wildcats 11 turnovers gained (seventh) and +0.8 turnover margin (twenty fifth) are each among the many finest marks within the nation amongst all 134 FBS packages.

GONE PORTALIN’: According to analysis achieved by ESPN’s Max Olson, the Wildcats are ranked fourth amongst Power Four packages and second within the Big 12 Conference in expertise added through the switch portal. Arizona added 27 transfers that introduced with them 403 begins and 25,467 snaps of Division I expertise.

GENESIS SMITH MAN OF THE YEAR: Arizona Football defensive again Genesis Smith has been chosen to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year watch checklist, the group introduced earlier this month. The award, in its ninth yr, is offered yearly to the FBS school soccer participant who has demonstrated a file of management by exhibiting distinctive braveness, integrity and sportsmanship each on and off the sphere. Smith, a junior, has established himself as a pacesetter within the locker room and the Tucson neighborhood throughout his time with the Wildcats. On the sphere, Smith is a pacesetter within the Wildcats secondary and at the moment ties for the staff lead with 26 tackles whereas pacing the staff with 5 move breakups. Across two-plus seasons and 29 video games performed, Smith has tallied 113 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 11 move breakups. In the neighborhood, the Wildcats staff captain has given again via the Genesis Smith Foundation and initiatives reminiscent of Christmas Cats and the R.I.S.E. Camp. Twenty semifinalists can be chosen by a by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee and introduced on Tues., October 14. Three finalists will then be named for the award on Monday, December 15. The winner can be introduced on the award ceremony at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on April 16, 2026.

MAHDI MOTION: Arizona working again Ismail Mahdi has been a key piece of the Wildcats offense over the primary three video games, tallying 559 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns. Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Mahdi spent two years at Texas State and one season at FCS Houston Christian. The Murphy, Texas native at the moment boasts one of the crucial productive careers within the nation: Mahdi’s ranks among the many high 5 energetic profession leaders with 4,111 all-purpose yards (4th), 87.9 rush yards per sport (fifth), and 132.61 all-purpose yards per sport (2nd) throughout his FBS profession.

WILDCATS IN THE NFL: The Arizona Wildcats are as soon as once more effectively represented within the NFL, with 11 gamers at the moment sprinkled all through league rosters. Highlighting the group of former Wildcats are a pair of first spherical picks in Tetairoa McMillan (2025) and Jordan Morgan (2024). With his choice earlier this yr, McMillan turned the twelfth Arizona participant to earn a primary spherical NFL Draft choose. He joined a listing that features Morgan (2024; twenty fifth, Green Bay), Antoine Cason (2008; twenty seventh, San Diego), Trung Canidate (2000; thirty first, St. Louis), Chris McAlister (1999; tenth, Baltimore), John Fina (1992; twenty seventh, Buffalo), Chris Singleton (1990; eighth, New England), Anthony Smith (1990; eleventh, Oakland), Rickey Hunley (1984; seventh, Cincinnati), Mike Dawson (1976; twenty second, Arizona), Bill Lueck (1968; 26, Green Bay), and Walt Nelson (1939; tenth, New York Giants). McMillan was the primary of 4 Wildcats chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft, marking probably the most Arizona picks since 2008.

Current Wildcats on NFL Rosters (as of 10/12/25)

• Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Miami Dolphins
• Nick Folk, Ok, New York Jets
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
• Tyler Loop, Ok, Baltimore Ravens
• Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, LB, New York Giants
• Roy Lopez, DT, Detroit Lions
• Jordan Morgan, OT, Green Bay Packers
• Lucas Havrisik, Ok, Green Bay Packers
• Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
• Jacob Cowing^, WR, San Francisco 49ers
• Gary Brightwell*, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

*Practice Squad    ^Reserve/Injured