Mays Pese was candid about his expectations for playing time as a true freshman.
When the Arizona defensive lineman was asked if he expected to play significant snaps his first year in Tucson, he said, "To be honest with you, I didn't."
"The only thing I believed in was the work," Pese said. "I just came in and I just wanted to work every day and see where it takes me. God's plan. ... It took a lot of work, just coming in and believing in what you can do."
Opportunity came knocking when Arizona had multiple injuries on the defensive line, including defensive captain and edge rusher Tre Smith, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and medically redshirted the 2025 season.
Arizona had four healthy defensive linemen for the regular-season finale against Arizona State in Tempe, revealed defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, "and those four were playing their tails off," he added.
Among the available defensive linemen in the Territorial Cup was Pese, who has the most defensive snaps by a UA freshman this season.
Arizona defensive lineman Mays Pese (99) in the first half during a game against Hawaii on Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson.
Pese was originally recruited by former Arizona defensive line coach Joe Seumalo and signed with the Wildcats last December. The Santa Barbara, California, product starred at Bishop Garcia Diego High School and committed to Cal on June 16, 2024. Ten days later, he flipped from Cal to Arizona. Pese also held offers from Michigan State, Boise State and Fresno State, among others.
Pese said his work ethic and drive stem from growing up in a predominantly male family and having competitive cousins.
Said Pese: "Being around them made me want it more, because I don't want to be the one that's dragging along, you know?"
The Polynesian culture embedded in the fabric of the Arizona football program drew Pese to Tucson. Arizona defensive tackle Julian Savaiinaea and former standout offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea, who's now a rookie with the Miami Dolphins, "took me under their wing" when Pese was being recruited by Arizona.
"It's good to be around people who have similar backgrounds as you," Pese said.
Seumalo was replaced by renowned defensive line coach and former Wildcat Joe Salave'a, who maintained contact with Pese until the defensive lineman joined the team in June. Pese said "I've gotten a lot of things out of" working under Salave'a.
"Coming in as a freshman and getting coached by him, it was the thing that I needed the most," Pese said. "Him helping me develop every little thing, like the little details that he's helped me with, that's changed my game and helped me move forward."
Added Pese: "I didn't know that hands mattered in high school. Now that I'm at a bigger stage, Coach Joe has helped me just get better every day."
Pese "was willing to do whatever it takes to play this year," and ascended Arizona's depth chart during fall training camp and the early stages of the season.
"The closer you are to the football, the harder it is to play as a true freshman," Gonzales said. "The further you get — running backs, wide receivers, (defensive backs) — your athleticism and speed can make up for physicality; you can't inside. For a true freshman to do what we've asked him to do, it's unbelievable. His future is bright."
Arizona defensive lineman Mays Pese (99) leads the pack in sacking Arizona State quarterback Jeff Sims (2) during the fourth quarter in their Territorial Cup game, Nov. 28, 2025, in Tempe.
Pese recorded 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 10 games this season and has mostly played defensive end in Gonzales' 3-3-5 defense, but his 6-3, 270-pound frame allows him to play inside at defensive tackle, too. Pese started three games of the last four games for the Wildcats in the regular season — and had a role in Arizona's five-game winning streak to end the regular season, as the 17th-ranked Wildcats prepare to face SMU in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.
"One of the things that got us to this point is the chemistry that we have and the trust that we have in each other, just knowing we have each other's backs," Pese said. "Every day, we all hang out as brothers."
Pese said his focus after this season is to "get more flexible and stronger in the weight room, build up my speed and momentum." Next season, Pese will be among the several returning pieces on Arizona's defensive line, along with Smith, defensive tackle Leroy Palu, defensive end Dominic Lolesio, Savaiinaea and 6-6, 389-pound defensive tackle Zac Siulepa, along with 6-7, 274-pound freshman Porter Patton. Arizona is also adding junior college transfer and former Mater Dei (California) star Ezra Funa, who is on Arizona's roster but redshirted this season.
Arizona defensive lineman Mays Pese, left, and defensive back Ayden Garnes get to exult after holding Baylor on a drive during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, Nov. 22, at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
Arizona also signed five defensive linemen in its 2026 recruiting class and could add more when the transfer portal opens for business on Saturday, Jan. 2.
The Wildcats are losing defensive tackles Deshawn McKnight, Tiaoalii Savea and defensive end Malachi Bailey. Redshirt freshman Eduwa Okundaye and redshirt junior Chancellor Owens are expected to enter the transfer portal.
After a year of game experience and an offseason in Arizona's strength and conditioning program, "there's no roof" with Pese, said Gonzales.
"He's super strong, he's athletic, he can stand up, he can play off the ball, he's violent for a true freshman, and he was able to knock around fourth- and fifth-year players," Gonzales said. "And then his personality, he's so fun to be around.
"Mays Pese is a name that the city of Tucson needs to learn now and they're going to remember forever, because he's going to be a fantastic player."
