Nebraska safety Malcolm Hartzog transfers to Arizona

Arizona picked up another defensive back in the transfer portal: former Nebraska safety Malcolm Hartzog. 

Hartzog joins former Wyoming cornerback Tyrese Boss as defensive back additions in the transfer portal for the Wildcats in 2026.

The 5-9, 185-pound Hartzog signed with Nebraska in 2022 as a three-star prospect out of Jefferson David County High School in Prentiss, Mississippi. 

Hartzog was a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers and started 32 games in three-plus seasons before suffering a season-ending lower-body injury after two games in 2025. He had two pass deflections and an interception in Nebraska's season-opening win over Cincinnati in Kansas City. 

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Hartzog recorded 108 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 21 pass deflections and eight interceptions during his four-year career at Nebraska. Hartzog played multiple positions in Nebraska's secondary, including 909 snaps at cornerback, 474 snaps at slot cornerback, 237 snaps at strong safety and 67 at free safety.

Hartzog will join Arizona to play safety, a position group that includes redshirt junior Gavin Hunter, redshirt freshman Kason Brown and sophomore Coleman Patmon, who started Arizona's 24-19 loss to SMU in the Holiday Bowl. 

The Wildcats lose veteran starters Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith to graduation, along with Jack Luttrell, who entered the transfer portal. 

Find out the latest updates on Arizona football's activity in the transfer portal with the Star's tracker on Tucson.com and The Wildcaster mobile app.