The transfer portal doesnโt open until Tuesday, but the Arizona Wildcats have already lost an offensive lineman, after tackle Joseph Borjon announced Friday morning that he plans on entering the portal once itโs open for business.
Borjonโs career with the Wildcats comes to an end after two seasons.
The 6-8, 325-pound redshirt junior was a backup tackle for the Wildcats during the 2022 and โ23 seasons, after the La Puente, California, native transferred to Arizona from Mt. San Antonio College in Southern California.
Last season, Borjon appeared in six games and made three starts, including right tackle in Arizonaโs win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, while Jonah Savaiinaea played right guard with Raymond Pulido at left tackle in place of the NFL-bound Jordan Morgan, who opted out of the bowl. Arizonaโs offensive line struggled against OUโs pass rushers and received its worst protection grade (52.7) of the season on Pro Football Focus.
In the second half of the Alamo Bowl, Savaiinaea moved back to right tackle and redshirt sophomore Leif Magnuson, who started in place of Pulido while he nursed an ankle injury at the start of conference play, was inserted at right guard. Arizona scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Sooners.
This spring, Borjon has mostly taken reps at backup tackle behind Pulido and Savaiinaea. With Borjon gone, other tackles besides Savaiinaea and Pulido include redshirt freshmen Rhino Tapaโatoutai, Tylen Gonzalez and early enrollee Matthew Lado.
Arizona will hold a scrimmage Saturday morning at Arizona Stadium at 10:20 a.m. to wrap up the third week of spring practices. The spring game is scheduled for April 27 at 6 p.m.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan discussed Arizona's personnel, the transfer portal opening, the impact of NIL, coach-to-player communication in helmets, and surprises this spring. (Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star)
