Arizona DBs Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith take on the NFL Scouting Combine

The Arizona Wildcats will have multiple representatives at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis for the third straight year. 

Arizona will have a trio of defensive backs perform at the NFL's premier pre-draft testing event: Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith, who were mainstays in Arizona's last three seasons and produced a combined 6,700 snaps at the UA.

Stukes, Johnson and Smith could become the first Arizona defensive backs taken in the NFL Draft since Dane Cruikshank in 2018. 

Other players with Arizona ties at the NFL Scouting Combine include Washington running back Jonah Coleman and UW cornerbacks Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis, who all transferred to Washington to play for former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch; Davis played one season under UA head coach Brent Brennan.

Last season, Arizona wide receiver and Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and kicker Tyler Loop attended the NFL Scouting Combine. McMillan, the highest-selected offensive Wildcat in NFL Draft history, opted out of the drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

In 2024, first-round offensive lineman and Tucson-area native Jordan Morgan, wide receiver Jacob Cowing, tight end Tanner McLachlan and running back Michael Wiley represented the UA at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Over 300 prospects will be at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, which is from Thursday, Feb. 26, to Sunday, March 1.

The defensive backs — with Stukes, Johnson and Smith — and tight ends part of the NFL Scouting Combine will be on Friday from 1-6 p.m. on NFL Network. Defensive linemen and linebackers are on Thursday from 1-6 p.m., with quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs on Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Offensive linemen conclude the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Here's an inside look at Arizona's trio and how they currently project as pro prospects leading up to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. 

Treydan Stukes

Position: Nickel back, cornerback

Height, weight: 6-2, 195 pounds

NFL Draft projection: Day 2 (Rounds 2-3), Day 3 (Rounds 4-7)

The rundown: Stukes, following a productive senior season, a year after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, could improve his stock leading up to the draft. Stukes hails from a track background and won a state championship in the triple jump at Millennium High School in Goodyear. Stukes' numbers in the 40-yard dash, broad jump and vertical jump, coupled with his lengthy frame, could make him an enticing pick for teams in the later rounds. 

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. 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. 

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, recorded 52 tackles and four interceptions this year; he was limited in the first two games due to his knee rehab.

Stukes' four interceptions this past season are tied for the second-most in the Big 12 this season. His acrobatic interception in the Territorial Cup win over Arizona State was featured on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on ESPN.  

Stukes played in 52 games and recorded 206 tackles, seven interceptions, 35 pass deflections and 12 tackles for loss. Stukes was Arizona's highest-graded defender (90.1) on PFF — the highest grade for a UA defensive player behind Tra'Mayne Bondurant (92), Wright (91.9) and Will Parks (91.7).

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. Stukes went from a walk-on to an All-American — and experienced the evolution of college sports with NIL, transfer portal and revenue sharing, along with a pandemic-influenced season. The ability to adapt to the NFL bodes well for Stukes.

Stukes is currently listed as the 16th-best cornerback on ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" for the NFL Draft.  

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Dalton Johnson

Position: Strong safety

Height, weight: 5-11, 198 pounds

NFL Draft projection: Day 3 (Rounds 4-7)

The rundown: Johnson doesn't have the physical tangibles akin to prominent NFL safeties, such as, say, Derwin James (6-2, 215 pounds) or Kyle Hamilton (6-4, 218 pounds), but his production and Budda Baker-esque frame could help him translate to the NFL.  

Johnson had the sixth-most tackles (97) in the Big 12 this past season — the most by a defensive back.

Johnson became 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 2024.

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 Wright in 2014. Johnson also had an interception and forced fumble the following week against ASU in the Territorial Cup. 

Johnson ended his Arizona career with 285 tackles, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions. Johnson was a first-team All-Big 12 selection. This past season marked the first time Arizona had multiple first-team all-conference players since Jackie Wallace and Bob White in 1972. 

Genesis Smith

Position: Safety, nickel back

Height, weight: 6-2, 202 pounds

NFL Draft projection: Day 2 (Rounds 2-3), Day 3 (Rounds 4-7)

The rundown: Smith, a Chandler Hamilton product, signed with Arizona in 2023 and contributed as a freshman, but became a starter in 2024 following a season-ending injury to Gunner Maldonado. Smith started at three different positions in Arizona's secondary in '24. 

Smith recorded 165 tackles, five interceptions and 19 pass deflections in three seasons as a Wildcat. He had a career-high 77 tackles and was named a third-team All-Big 12 selection this past season.

Stukes, Johnson and Smith — who opted out of the Holiday Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft — led an Arizona defense that finished seventh in college football in passing defense and first in turnover margin. The Wildcats had more takeaways (31) than touchdowns allowed (28) and led the Big 12 in interceptions. Arizona was tops in college football passing defense efficiency. 

Smith made an impact off the field, too. 

In 2024, Arizona's "Beyond Football" program helped Smith start his own foundation and begin a campaign, Christmas Cats, to donate gifts to families in Tucson and Phoenix during the holiday season. Smith also hosted a camp at Doolen Middle School last year. Campers attended the Arizona spring showcase last April and toured the UA football facilities.

Smith extended Christmas Cats for another year this past season. He was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes 22 college football players and a head coach for their commitment to community service.

Smith was named a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to a college football player who exemplifies excellence in community service, academics and performance.

Smith is currently the eighth-best safety on Kiper's Big Board behind Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo), Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh), Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Bud Clark (TCU), Kamari Ramsey (USC) and Zakee Wheatley (Penn State).