Arizona's latest addition via the transfer portal bolsters an offense that finished sixth in passing last season.
Former Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig announced Saturday afternoon that he's transferring to the UA, becoming the lone offensive transfer for 2023.
AZ LET’S WORK! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/sqOlrdjgvG
— Montana Lemonious-Craig (@Montana_L_Craig) May 20, 2023
In three seasons at Colorado, the 6-2, 190-pound Inglewood, California native had 33 catches for 482 yards and five touchdowns. Most of his production happened during Colorado's 1-11 campaign in 2022, hauling in 23 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns.
Lemonious-Craig remained on roster once CU hired head coach Deion Sanders, who left his post at prominent HBCU Jackson State after three seasons. In Colorado's highly-anticipated spring game last month under Coach Prime, Lemonious-Craig erupted for three catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yard score. He is the second former Colorado player to transfer to Arizona since the end of spring ball, along with edge rusher Taylor Upshaw.
Wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, center, is tackled after catching a pass by Arizona safety Jaxen Turner, left, and cornerback Isaiah Rutherford in a 2021 game. “I just felt like it was time for me to move on. ... I’ve been through two coaching changes for three different head coaches, so I just wanted some stability,” Lemonious-Craig said of transferring to UA.
Lemonious-Craig will now be incorporated with a receiving corps that includes star receivers Jacob Cowing, Tetairoa McMillan, budding second-year slot receiver Kevin Green Jr., AJ Jones, and freshmen Malachi Riley and Devin Hyatt, among others.
The Wildcats lost leading receiver and Second Team All-Pac-12 selection Dorian Singer (USC) to the transfer portal, however return Cowing, who led the conference with 85 catches for 1,034 yards, and McMillan, a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week selection.
In the spring, Cowing moved over to Singer's role, also known as "Z" receiver, and Green was installed at slot receiver. Adding Lemonious-Craig packs on experienced depth and versatility to a wide receiver room that is among the tops in the Pac-12.
