Former Memphis linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. transferred to Arizona and became one of the newest additions to the Wildcats' 2026 portal class.
Roussaw, who took an official visit earlier this week, selected Arizona over the Houston Cougars. Roussaw will have a year of eligibility.
The 6-3, 230-pound Atlanta native started his career at UAB in 2023 and played two seasons under former head coach and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer, who was fired in October after two-plus seasons at the helm.
At UAB, Roussaw played in 23 games and made eight starts as a true freshman. He recorded 125 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Roussaw transferred to Memphis and had 64 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and an interception in his lone year with the Tigers.
Roussaw is the newest addition to an Arizona linebacker corps that returns two-year starter Taye Brown, redshirt senior Chase Kennedy, redshirt sophomore Jabari Mann, sophomore Myron Robinson, redshirt junior Leviticus Su'a and redshirt freshman Carter Jones, among others. After suffering a season-ending knee injury in November, Robinson isn't expected to participate in spring practices.
Linebacker Everett Roussaw is joining Arizona following a productive season at Memphis. The Atlanta native started his career at UAB.
The Wildcats are losing Max Harris, Riley Wilson and Blake Gotcher to graduation. Harris and Wilson — who transferred to Arizona for their final season last year — combined for 129 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and 12 quarterback hurries this past season.
Arizona signed three-star linebacker Dash Fifita, who's the younger brother of UA quarterback Noah Fifita, and Dallas-area linebacker Jaden Parker for its 2026 recruiting class.
Roussaw will likely look to fill the void at "Will" linebacker, a position Harris played in Arizona's run to the Holiday Bowl.
Roussaw joins linebacker-edge rusher hybrid Cooper Blomstrom (Georgetown) and cornerback Tyrese Boss (Wyoming) as defensive players in Arizona's 2026 transfer portal class.
Arizona bolsters TE room
Arizona will have no shortage of tight ends in 2026.
Among the several additions in the transfer portal, which is transitioning to the final week of the open period, the Wildcats have added three tight ends. The latest: San Diego State's Arthur Ban, who has three years of eligibility.
The 6-5, 220-pound Ban, who prepped at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington, had a limited role in his first season at San Diego State in 2025. Ban was primarily used as a run-blocking tight end and logged 33 run-blocking snaps in his 38 offensive plays.
Ban joins Illinois transfer Cole Rusk and Southern Miss transfer Shane King as tight ends
The 6-5, 230-pound King, who's a Gainesville, Georgia, native, played one season at Southern Miss before entering the transfer portal. King caught two passes for 24 yards in four games and redshirted.
King signed with Marshall to play for Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege and UA tight ends coach Josh Miller, who both held the same positions for the Thundering Herd. After Marshall head coach Charles Huff took the same job at Southern Miss, King followed Huff for one season.
Rusk started his college career at Eastern Michigan in 2021, before transferring to Murray State for a year and Illinois, where he played the last two seasons. Rusk had 19 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown last season at Illinois.
Illinois tight end Cole Rusk (14) runs the ball against Washington safety Makell Esteen (24) during the first half Oct. 25, 2025, in Seattle.
Rusk, King and Ban join an Arizona tight ends room that returns redshirt junior Tyler Powell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury on the first play from scrimmage in the Wildcats' season-opening win over Hawaii. The Wildcats also return redshirt freshman Kellan Ford. Arizona signed four-star Seattle-area tight end Henry Gabalis for 2026.
The Wildcats are losing Cameron Barmore, Sam Olson and Keyan Burnett, who left the program midseason.
Find out the latest updates on Arizona football's activity in the transfer portal with the Star's tracker on Tucson.com and The Wildcaster mobile app.
Extra points
– Arizona had eight Wildcats receive College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors: right tackle Tristan Bounds, cornerback Michael Dansby, center Ka'ena Decambra, left tackle Ty Buchanan, left guard Chubba Maae, linebacker Max Harris, running back Ismail Mahdi and defensive tackle Leroy Palu.
– Tucson native and Pusch Ridge Christian product Will Way signed with Wake Forest after playing the last two seasons at Weber State. The 6-3, 290-pound Way signed with Wake Forest as a center.
– Former Arizona defensive end Eduwa Okundaye signed with Washington State on Thursday. UA faces Washington State for a nonconference game in Pullman on Sept. 26. WSU will complete the home-and-home series with Arizona in Tucson in 2027.
