LB-DE Jalen Cochran to transfer from Arizona; ex-Wildcat Samajie Grant gets shot with Lions

Promising pass rusher Jalen Cochran announced Tuesday that he is transferring from Arizona.

Cochran, who is from Plymouth, Michigan, apparently had become homesick. He redshirted as a freshman last season and participated only minimally in spring practice because of concussion-related symptoms.

The Wildcats coaching staff had hoped Cochran would develop into a pass-rush threat from the “Stud” position – a linebacker-defensive end hybrid spot. Cochran possesses the requisite size (6-3, 240), and defensive line coach Vince Amey believed he eventually could develop into a special player.

Senior DeAndre’ Miller enters next season as the presumed starter at Stud. Cochran’s departure could speed up the timetable for incoming freshmen My-King Johnson and Jalen Harris, a pair of pass rushers from the Phoenix area. Freshman Jose Ramirez, a midyear enrollee, worked at Stud during spring camp. Arizona ranked ninth in the Pac-12 last season with 22 sacks in 12 games.

Arizona also is a finalist for Gaelin Elmore, a graduate transfer from Minnesota. The defensive end, who will be eligible to play immediately, has narrowed his choices to Arizona and East Carolina. He is expected to announce his choice this week.

Cochran announced his decision on his private Twitter account.

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“I make this decision with a heavy heart, but I must do what I feel is best for my future and my families (sic) future,” he wrote. “I’d like to thank the University of Arizona for all they have done for me in the past year. I have grown as a football player, a teammate and, most importantly, a man. Right now, I’m focused on finishing my academic semester strong and spending quality time with my family.”

Add one more to the list of undrafted Wildcats getting a shot in the NFL.

Samajie Grant will participate in a minicamp tryout with the Detroit Lions.

Grant played most of his UA career at receiver before switching to running back late last season. He caught 145 passes for 1,639 yards and 12 touchdowns over four seasons. He rushed for 491 yards and six touchdowns in five games at tailback, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Some evaluators  view him as a third-down back in the Danny Woodhead mold.

Grant joins Paul Magloire Jr. (Buccaneers), Trey Griffey (Colts), Freddie Tagaloa (Browns) and Aiulua Fanene (Packers) as players who signed as free agents or will try out for teams.