The first player to join Arizona via the transfer portal in 2026 is former Arkansas State long snapper Drew Nicolson.
Nicolson joins Arizona after playing the last two seasons at Arkansas State. He started his college career in 2023 at Akron.
The 6-2, 220-pound Tempe native prepped at Corona del Sol High School, where he was teammates with UA reserve offensive lineman Keona Peat, who is the older brother of Arizona basketball star Koa Peat.
Nicolson appeared in all 12 games at Akron and transferred to Arkansas State. He redshirted his first season with the Red Wolves and became the starting long snapper this past season. Arkansas State went 7-6 and beat Missouri State, 34-28, in the Xbox Bowl in Frisco, Texas.
Nicolson has 202 snaps and two tackles in his college career, according to Pro Football Focus.
Nicolson will look to replace starting long snapper Avery Salerno, who transferred from Jackson State last year. The Wildcats also have freshman Broden Molen. The freshman from Montana signed with Arizona's 2025 recruiting class and played in the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
Arizona's snapping was inconsistent at times, which contributed to sophomore kicker Michael Salgado-Medina struggling, albeit Arizona's kicker boomed a 57-yarder against Oklahoma State and made a clutch 51-yarder in the Wildcats' upset over 25th-ranked Cincinnati.
Salerno and Molen weren't officially added to the roster until the summer. Arizona's only long snapper last spring was Tucson native Trey Naughton, who retired from football. This time, the Wildcats will have more time to establish a chemistry and rhythm in the field-goal operation.
Find out the latest updates on Arizona football's activity in the transfer portal with the Star's tracker on Tucson.com.
