Arizona right tackle Tristan Bounds 'has improved tremendously'

CINCINNATI — Even though Tristan Bounds is playing for a different school in a different conference, he was groomed to hate the state of Ohio. 

The former Michigan offensive tackle experienced the rivalry with Ohio State, one of the most storied rivalries in college football. 

While Bounds was adapting to his new life at Arizona during the spring, he was simultaneously earning a business degree at UM. He played four seasons at Michigan, mostly under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and was a part of the 2023 national championship team.

Bounds is a "Michigan Man." It's in his blood to hate Ohio. When Arizona plays No. 25 Cincinnati on Saturday, it'll be Bounds' first trip to Ohio since the upset of Ohio State last season.     

"I don't know if I want to repeat everything I was told about the state of Ohio," Bounds said. "I'm excited to be back in the midwest and excited for the opportunity." 

Bounds, a redshirt senior, is one of three transfers starting on Arizona's offensive line this season, along with center Ka'ena Decambra and left tackle Ty Buchanan, who's expected to play after leaving Arizona's win over Kansas last week with an injury. 

Bounds "has improved tremendously," said Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege.

The 6-8, 291-pound Bounds, a Bethesda, Maryland, native, came to Arizona "a little light and he wasn't very developed, which is kind of weird saying that about a school like Michigan, where you're thinking that's one of the O-Line capitals of college football," Doege said.

"When we got him, he was light and not very polished — to where you're like, 'OK, I don't know if he'll be a starter for us, but he'll be a great rotational player,'" Doege added. "There was some times where you felt like he was a liability. He just kept getting more confident, he kept playing through it, he trusted the preparation and the coaching."

In Bounds' first start in the Wildcats' season-opening win over Hawaii, he allowed a team-high six quarterback pressures and a sack. 

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"Every game you have something to learn from," Bounds said. "That was my first-career start, so it was a get-your-feet-wet type of moment. I didn't want to let that happen again and be someone that can be counted on for our offense. That's always the goal, take mistakes from any game and move forward. We're continuing to do that as we go." 

Since then, Bounds has allowed a total of six quarterback pressures in eight games and hasn't given up a sack, according to Pro Football Focus. Bounds has the best offensive grade (73.5) and pass-blocking grade (80.9) on Arizona's offensive line, per PFF. He has the second-best run-blocking grade (63.5) behind Buchanan (71.5). 

"Next thing you know, he's one of our better O-linemen," Doege said of Bounds. "It's another example of how (offensive line coach Josh Oglesby) does such a good job of development. That guy is really, really good at what he does, and those kids love him. Tristan Bounds will hang on every single word Josh Oglesby will say and because of that, he's gotten 10 times better and looks like he belongs in the Big 12. ... I'm very proud of that kid." 

Bounds cited two reasons for his in-season turnaround and rise to becoming a mainstay on Arizona's offensive line. 

"The two biggest things would probably be the guys around me," Bounds said. "We have a great cohesive unit. We really embody five (players) as one (unit) and everybody is working together towards a common goal. I would also say the coaching and the staff here has done a really good job for me. Coach O helped me build my technique and my confidence as a player. Those two things have really helped me develop." 

Redshirt sophomore Rhino Tapa'atoutai, who started at left tackle last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury, moved to right tackle this season and getting to work with him every day has been awesome, Bounds said. "I'm super grateful to have him on our room. He's been super helpful to me in my development." 

Bounds' time in Tucson is short-lived, but his one season playing for the Wildcats "has been great," he said.

"This is definitely the most fun I've had playing college football," Bounds said. "I'm super thankful to be here and blessed for the opportunity. I've said it a couple of times now, but I can't wait to go down to Cincinnati and see what our team is about."