Arizona lost one of its many defensive back additions during the offseason.Β
Cornerback signee Brandon Holmes was granted release from his contract at the UA and signed with the Utah Utes on National Signing Day on Wednesday.Β
The Fresno City College transfer committed to Arizona last month and was one of eight defensive backs to sign with the Wildcats.Β
Arizona added seven defensive backs in the transfer portal:Β Oregon safetyΒ Daylen Austin, Nebraska safetyΒ Malcolm Hartzog, Wyoming cornerbackΒ Tyrese Boss, Northern Colorado safetyΒ Cam Chapa, Fresno City College cornerback transferΒ Brandon Holmes, UConn safetyΒ Lee Molette III, Charlotte cornerbackΒ Dwight Bootle IIΒ and Howard cornerbackΒ Zuri Watson.Β
Boss, Bootle and Watson will be in the mix at cornerback, a position group that returns starter Jay'Vion Cole, who's entering his senior season. Cole was second in the Big 12 with four interceptions, including a pick-six in Arizona's 48-3 win over Weber State.Β
Other returners at cornerback include freshmen Swayde Griffin and Dajon Hinton, who started in place of Stukes in the Holiday Bowl but suffered a leg injury in the first half. Redshirt junior Johno Price, who played 81 defensive snaps in 2025, is expected to return.Β
The Wildcats signed four-star cornerback Xaier Hiler, a 6-4, 180-pound Dallas-area product, and Chandler Hamilton cornerback Kingston Spivey, the younger brother of Tre Spivey and son of former Tucson Sidewinders star Junior Spivey. The youngest Spivey is joining Arizona as a preferred walk-on.
Arizona will have a plethora of new cornerbacks after losing starters Ayden Garnes, Michael Dansby and Treydan Stukes, along with Marquis Groves-Killebrew and Gianni Edwards.Β
Arizona's 19-player 2026 recruiting class (excluding transfer portal) ranks sixth in the Big 12, according to 247Sports.com, and 45th nationally. Arizona currently has 105 players for the 2026 roster.
