Arizona updated its football roster Monday, providing our first opportunity to see which Wildcats’ bodies have changed the most during the offseason — before actually seeing any of them on the field.
What follows is list of this offseason’s biggest gainers and losers — the players who’ve added or lost the most weight. Only players who gained or lost at least 5 pounds are included. The “before” weights are from the roster for the Foster Farms Bowl.
Arizona running back Gary Brightwell is 10 pounds heavier heading into his sophomore year.
Biggest weight gains/losses
- STUD Lee Anderson III — Before: 235 | After: 243 | Difference: +8
- DT Dereck Boles — Before: 296 | After: 306 | Diff: +10
- RB Gary Brightwell — Before: 196 | After: 206 | Diff: +10
- DE JB Brown — Before: 244 | After: 263 | Diff: +19
- DT Kurtis Brown — Before: 285 | After: 291 | Diff: +6
- WR Shun Brown — Before: 177 | After: 188 | Diff: +11
- CB Lorenzo Burns — Before: 173 | After: 181 | Diff: +8
- OL Edgar Burrola — Before: 293 | After: 287 | Diff: -6
- OL Bryson Cain — Before: 291 | After: 306 | Diff: +15
- DE Jalen Cochran — Before: 249 | After: 263 | Diff: +14
- LB Jacob Colacion — Before: 218 | After: 226 | Diff: +8
- DT Finton Connolly — Before: 275 | After: 301 | Diff: +26
- S Tristan Cooper — Before: 188 | After: 194 | Diff: +6
- WR Drew Dixon — Before: 203 | After: 210 | Diff: +7
- C Nathan Eldridge — Before: 297 | After: 292 | Diff: -5
- OL Michael Eletise — Before: 318 | After: 323 | Diff: + 5
- LB Tony Fields II — Before: 225 | After: 230 | Diff: +5
- OT Layth Friekh — Before: 302 | After: 297 | Diff: -5
- STUD Jalen Harris — Before: 212 | After: 230 | Diff: +18
- K Lucas Havrisik — Before: 173 | After: 184 | Diff: +11
- CB Azizi Hearn — Before: 187 | After: 193 | Diff: +6
- CB Malcolm Holland — Before: 182 | After: 189 | Diff: +7
- DE My-King Johnson — Before: 220 | After: 227 | Diff: +7
- OL Alex Kosinski — Before: 299 | After: 292 | Diff: -7
- QB K’Hari Lane — Before: 245 | After: 222 | Diff: -23
- RB Branden Leon — Before: 201 | After: 213 | Diff: +12
- OL Tshiyombu Lukusa — Before: 330 | After: 308 | Diff: -22
- RB Anthony Mariscal — Before: 197 | After: 212 | Diff: +15
- CB Antonio Parks — Before: 188 | After: 204 | Diff: +16
- WR Cedric Peterson — Before: 188 | After: 193 | Diff: +5
- WR Shawn Poindexter — Before: 212 | After: 218 | Diff: +6
- QB Rhett Rodriguez — Before: 186 | After: 201 | Diff: +15
- LB Colin Schooler — Before: 226 | After: 236 | Diff: +10
- DT Sione Taufahema — Before: 330 | After: 339 | Diff: +9
- CB Jace Whittaker — Before: 182 | After: 189 | Diff: +7
- TE Bryce Wolma — Before: 239 | After: 252 | Diff: +13
Notable: Of the six players listed who lost weight, five are offensive linemen. … Only one player lost more weight than OL Tshiyombu Lukusa — QB K’Hari Lane. … DT Finton Connolly packed on the most weight, adding 26 pounds. … Other big gainers: second-year pass rushers JB Brown (19 pounds) and Jalen Harris (18).
Arizona Wildcats quarterback K'Hari Lane has lost 23 pounds since the end of the 2017 season. Lane now weighs 222 pounds.
And now for the updated measurables for the most notable UA newcomers, including transfers. Below you can find their uniform numbers, heights and weights.
Notable newcomers
- 5 S Christian Young 6-1, 209
- 9 S Dayven Coleman 6-2, 216
- 10 QB Jamarye Joiner 6-1, 210
- 12 QB Kevin Doyle 6-3, 210
- 15 CB McKenzie Barnes 6-1, 178
- 20 RB Darrius Smith 5-9, 175
- 42 P Dylan Klumph 6-3, 229
- 45 LB Issaiah Johnson 6-1, 235
- 52 DT PJ Johnson 6-4, 335
- 58 DT Nahe Sulunga 6-2, 270
- 60 DT Mykee Irving 6-3, 337
- 63 OL Steven Bailey 6-3, 318
- 66 Ol Robert Congel 6-3, 315
- 67 OL David Watson 6-5, 307
- 78 OL Donovan Laie 6-4, 318
- 80 TE Jake Peters 6-4, 222
- 82 TE Zach Williams 6-3, 224
- 83 WR Tre Adams 6-3, 190
- 84 WR Thomas Marcus 6-2, 203
- 87 WR Joshua Szott 6-2, 189
Freshman offensive lineman David Watson now weighs 307 pounds, up from the 290 he weighed in spring ball.
Notable: OL Steven Bailey, a transfer from Glendale Community College, was listed at 290 pounds on signing day (Feb. 7). He’s now listed at 318. … DT Mykee Irving was listed at 320 pounds; he’s now 337. … LB Issaiah Johnson was listed at 210; he’s now 235. … DT PJ Johnson was listed at 315; he’s now 335. … Nahe Sulunga was listed as a 6-3, 255-pound DE; he’s now a 6-2, 270-pound DT. … OL David Watson was listed at 290; he’s now 307. … OL Donovan Laie was listed at 290; he’s now 318. … TE Jake Peters was listed at 240; he’s now 222. … WR Thomas Marcus was listed at 180; he’s now 203.
QB Khalil Tate tops our way-too-early Arizona Wildcats depth chart
Projecting the Cats’ two-deep heading into summer workouts
Updated
Running back Branden Leon gets met at the line by lineman Josh McCauley at the University of Arizona's spring game in Arizona Stadium, Saturday, April 14, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
The Arizona Wildcats did not release a depth chart at the end of spring practice — but that’s not stopping us from giving it a shot.
Below you will find a post-spring two-deep (in some cases three-deep) for the UA offense and defense based on practice alignments and discussions with Star sources.
Players who have been arriving on campus over the weekend are categorized separately. Each position group features brief analysis, including some previously unreported personnel updates.
Quarterback
Updated
“He’d be the first to tell you there’s room for improvement,” says new Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin of quarterback Khalil Tate. “He’s got huge potential. There’s some things we can help him with.” Tate unofficially was 18 for 28 for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the spring game.
1. Khalil Tate (6-2, 215, JR)
2. K’Hari Lane (6-1, 245, RS FR)
QB newcomer to watch: Kevin Doyle (6-3, 210, FR)
Comment: The backup job remains up for grabs. All the candidates are in their first or second year, including Doyle and fellow freshman Jamarye Joiner. Sophomore Rhett Rodriguez might be the best short-term option.
Running back
Updated
Despite big-time credentials coming out of high school, Arizona tailback Nathan Tilford barely saw the field in 2018.
1. J.J. Taylor (5-6, 180, RS SO)
2. Nathan Tilford (6-2, 206, SO) / Gary Brightwell (6-1, 196, SO)
RB newcomer to watch: Darrius Smith (5-9, 170, FR)
Comment: Assuming a knee injury suffered during spring ball doesn’t linger, Brightwell will be a big part of what has the makings of a dynamic rotation. Tilford, Branden Leon and converted safety Anthony Mariscal excelled in the spring game.
Receiver
Updated
Shawn Poindexter hauls in a perfectly thrown ball from Khalil Tate during Arizona's spring game.
Wide receiver
1. Shawn Poindexter (6-5, 212, RS SR)
2. Drew Dixon (6-3, 203, RS FR)
Slot receiver
1. Shun Brown (5-10, 177, SR)
2. Stanley Berryhill III (5-9, 169, RS FR)
Wide receiver
1. Cedric Peterson (5-11, 188, RS JR)
2. Tony Ellison (5-11, 188, RS SR)
WR newcomer to watch: Tre Adams (6-3, 190, FR)
Comment: As you can see, size is lacking across the receiver group. Freshmen Adams and Thomas Marcus (6-3, 180) have it, as does Keyshawn Johnson Jr., whose status remained unclear as of this writing. Johnson, a transfer, enrolled at Arizona in January but was not part of the spring roster.
Tight end
Updated
Arizona Wildcats tight end Jamie Nunley (85), right, celebrates his first-quarter touchdown with Arizona Wildcats tight end Bryce Wolma (81).
1. Bryce Wolma (6-3, 239, SO)
2. Jamie Nunley (6-5, 230, RS SO)
TE newcomer to watch: Jake Peters (6-4, 240, FR)
Comment: Tight ends weren’t very involved in the spring game and weren’t targeted often under Kevin Sumlin/Noel Mazzone at Texas A&M. But Mazzone has praised the returnees, and Sumlin is coaching them directly, so we’ll see.
Offensive line
Updated
Arizona guard Michael Eletise (75) should be in line for a much bigger role this season after playing as a reserve in 2017.
Left tackle
1. Layth Friekh (6-5, 302, RS SR)
2. Tshiyombu Lukusa (6-5, 330, RS SO)
Left guard
1. Michael Eletise (6-3, 318, RS SO)
2. Jon Jacobs (6-4, 300, RS SO)
Center
1. Nathan Eldridge (6-3, 297, RS JR)
2. Alex Kosinski (6-4, 299, RS JR)
Right guard
1. Bryson Cain (6-4, 291, RS SO)
2. Josh McCauley (6-2, 292, RS SO)
Right tackle
1. Cody Creason (6-4, 294, RS JR)
2. Tshiyombu Lukusa (6-5, 330, RS SO)
OL newcomer to watch: Steven Bailey (6-2, 290, JR)
Comment: There’s more to sort out along the offensive line than any other position. Lukusa’s talent says starter, but he missed the end of spring (ankle) and has much to prove. Jacobs could be a sneaky-valuable swing man at the interior positions.
Defensive end
Updated
1. Justin Belknap (6-3, 259, RS JR)
2. JB Brown (6-3, 244, SO)
DE newcomer to watch: Nahe Sulunga (6-3, 255, FR)
Comment: Belknap keeps getting bigger and better, and Brown has made a successful transition from linebacker. Sulunga gets the nod over Adam Plant, who might have trouble qualifying academically.
Interior defensive line
Updated
D-lineman Dereck Boles (99) will have some help stopping the run this year, with 300-pounders PJ Johnson and Mykee Irving added to the mix.
Nose tackle
1. PJ Johnson (6-4, 330, RS JR)
2. Sione Taufahema (6-1, 330, RS JR)
Defensive tackle
1. Dereck Boles (6-2, 296, RS SR)
2. Finton Connolly (6-5, 275, RS JR)
DT newcomer to watch: Mykee Irving (6-4, 330, FR)
Comment: Arizona should be deeper at the inside positions. JC transfer Johnson enrolled early and impressed immediately. The UA expects to get sophomore Kurtis Brown back after he missed most of spring.
Stud linebacker / edge rusher
Updated
Kylan Wilborn, who's entering the NCAA transfer portal, had four sacks and a forced fumble for Arizona vs. UCLA in 2017.
1. Kylan Wilborn (6-2, 245, SO)
2. Lee Anderson III (6-1, 235, JR) / Jalen Harris (6-4, 212, RS FR)
Comment: It’s too close to call between veteran Anderson and youngster Harris, who might be the best pure pass rusher on the team. He just needs to get bigger and stronger.
Linebacker
Updated
Colin Schooler (7), who had 13.5 tackles for losses, was named the Pac-12’s Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Mike linebacker
1. Colin Schooler (6-0, 226, SO)
2. Jacob Colacion (6-1, 218, RS SO)
Will linebacker
1. Tony Fields II (6-1, 225, SO)
2. Anthony Pandy (6-0, 225, SO)
LB newcomer to watch: Issaiah Johnson (6-2, 210, FR)
Comment: Arizona is moving sophomore Troy Young from safety to Will to boost its depth and maximize his skill set. As good as Schooler and Fields are, look for the coaches to find playing time for Pandy.
Safeties
Updated
Arizona safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (6) gets swarmed by his teammates after snaring an interception against Northern Arizona in the second quarter.
Spur
1. Tristan Cooper (6-1, 188, JR)
2. Xavier Bell (6-2, 192, RS FR)
Bandit
1. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (6-2, 205, SR)
2. Chacho Ulloa (5-11, 192, JR)
Free safety
1. Jarrius Wallace (6-1, 180, RS SO)
2. Isaiah Hayes (6-0, 191, RS SO)
Safety newcomer to watch: Dayven Coleman (6-2, 210, FR)
Comment: If reinstated from suspension, Scottie Young Jr. will push for playing time at free safety. His availability could determine how much freshman Christian Young plays. Coleman projects to Spur.
Cornerback
Updated
Arizona Wildcats cornerback Jace Whittaker will sign with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. The UA didn't have a player selected in the 2020 NFL draft.
1. Jace Whittaker (5-11, 182, SR)
2. Tony Wallace (5-10, 184, SO)
1. Lorenzo Burns (5-10, 173, RS SO)
2. Tony Wallace (5-10, 184, SO)
CB newcomer to watch: McKenzie Barnes (6-2, 170, FR)
Comment: Wallace is the clear No. 3 corner and thus the listed backup at both spots; he might even nudge Burns out of the lineup. Barnes will have every opportunity to become the No. 4 corner.
