Arizona senior defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson and junior safety Genesis Smith are opting out of the 17th-ranked Wildcats' matchup with SMU in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.
Stukes, Johnson and Smith are sitting out of Friday's Holiday Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. With the star trio opting out, expect elevated roles for Gavin Hunter, Coleman Patmon and Dajon Hinton, among others.Β
Former Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan, who was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, opted out of the Wildcats' win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl two years ago.
Stukes, Johnson and Smith will likely be Day 3 NFL Draft picks (rounds 4-7). They've played a combined 6,700 defensive snaps at Arizona.Β
Stukes, following a productive senior season, a year after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, could improve his draft stock in the months leading up to the draft. The 6-2, 200-pound Stukes hails from a track background and won a state championship in the triple jump at Millennium High School in Goodyear.Β
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) against BYU in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Stukes' frame and athletic prowess could position him to test well at Big 12 Pro Day and conceivably the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Stukes is also participating in the Panini Senior Bowl on Jan. 31 in Mobile, Alabama.
Stukes is the fifth Wildcat in the last three years to participate in the Senior Bowl, joining offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, Morgan, running back Michael Wiley and wide receiver Jacob Cowing.Β Β
In his final season as a Wildcat, Stukes was named a third-team Associated Press All-American, becoming the second Wildcat in three seasons to earn AP All-American honors. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was an AP All-American in 2023. Stukes is the first Arizona defensive player to earn AP All-American honors since linebacker Scooby Wright III in 2014.Β
Stukes was also named an All-Big 12 first-team selection, an AP All-Big 12 second-teamer and he locked in a Sporting News All-American honor.
The sixth-year Stukes, who has been a part of three coaching staffs at Arizona and suffered a knee injury last season, recorded 52 tackles and four interceptions this season; he was limited the first two games of the season due to his knee rehab.
Stukes' four interceptions are tied for the second-most in the Big 12 this season. Johnson and cornerback Jay'Vion Cole also have four interceptions this season.Β
Stukes' interception in the end zone sparked the Wildcats' three takeaways in the fourth quarter of UA's win over Baylor last month. His acrobatic interception in the Territorial Cup win over Arizona State was featured on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on ESPN.Β
Stukes, who started his career as a walk-on, is the last Wildcat to play for former head coach Kevin Sumlin; Johnson was recruited by the Sumlin regime.Β
Stukes played in 52 games and recorded 206 tackles, seven interceptions, 35 pass deflections and 12 tackles for loss. Stukes is Arizona's highest-graded defender (90.1) on PFF β the highest grade for a UA defensive player Tra'Mayne Bondurant (92), Wright (91.9) and Will Parks (91.7).Β
Johnson has the sixth-most tackles (97) in the Big 12 this season β the most by a defensive back.
Johnson is the first Arizona defensive back since Darrell Brooks in 2004 and '05 to lead the Wildcats in tackles in back-to-back seasons. Johnson's 97 tackles are more than his season total from last season.
Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith (12), right, shows off the ball after recovering an Arizona State fumble late during the fourth quarter in the Territorial Cup, Nov. 28, 2025, in Tempe.
Johnson ended the season earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. He had 18 tackles in Arizona's home finale against Baylor, the most tackles by a Wildcat since Scooby Wright III in 2014. Johnson also had an interception and forced fumble the following week against ASU in the Territorial Cup.Β
Johnson ended his Arizona career with 285 tackles, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions. Johnson was a first-team All-Big 12 selection. This season marked the first time Arizona had multiple first-team all-conference since Jackie Wallace and Bob White in 1972.Β
Johnson is set to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl at The Star in Frisco, Texas later this month. Former Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was the Offensive MVP of the pre-draft showcase last year.Β
Smith, a Chandler Hamilton product, signed with Arizona in 2023 and contributed as a freshman, but became a starter last season following a season-ending injury to Gunner Maldonado. The 6-2, 202-pound Smith recorded 165 tackles, five interceptions and 19 pass deflections in three seasons as a Wildcat. He had a career-high 77 tackles this season.Β Β
The crowd and Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson (43), Treydan Stukes (2) and Michael Dansby (25) celebrate Johnsonβs interception in the third quarter against BYU, Oct. 11, 2025, in Tucson.
Stukes, Johnson and Smith are among the leaders of an Arizona defense that isΒ fourth in the FBS in passing defense, first in pass efficiency defense and fourth in interceptions. The Wildcats have more takeaways (28) than touchdowns allowed (25) this season.
Stukes, Johnson and Smith could become the first Arizona defensive backs taken in the NFL Draft since Dane Cruikshank in 2018.Β
No. 17 Arizona (9-3) faces SMU (8-4) in the 46th Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. on Fox.
