Arizona's depth in the defensive secondary went from slim entering the 2020 season, to depleted. The latest hit to the Wildcats' defensive backs groups are Malik Hausman and McKenzie Barnes, after the cornerbacks opted to sit out the remainder of the season.ย
Citing injury and dedication to academics, Hausman will miss Arizona's final three games of the season and spend the rest of the semester in his hometown of Las Vegas. Barnes' decision to opt out is unknown.ย
Malik Hausman goes airborne while running punt blocking drills in the opening practice for the upcoming shortened season for the University of Arizona football team, October 9, 2020.
Hausman and Barnes are the latest of a handful of defensive backs to leave the program this year. Just this week alone, Arizona has lost safety Christian Young, cornerback Bobby Wolfe, Hausman and Barnes, although a source told the Star Wolfe's decision is pending, after the Houston native posted on Instagram late Saturday night that he planned to opt out.ย
Freshmen cornerbacks Edric Whitley and Khary Crump Jr. are also no longer with the team and will transfer from the UA.ย
Since last December, the Wildcats have lost defensive backs such as three-year starter Scottie Young Jr., Troy Young (no relation), Xavier Bell, Day Day Coleman and Chacho Ulloa. Whether it was a player opting out or leaving the program, Arizona has lost 10 scholarship defensive backs since the end of the 2019 season.ย
As of now, the only scholarship players in Arizona's secondary are safety Jaxen Turner, cornerback Lorenzo Burns, cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace, safety Jarrius Wallace, junior-college transfer Isaiah Mays and safety Rhedi Short.ย
The Wildcats (0-3) look to avoid their 11th consecutive loss, when they host Colorado on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.ย
