Tuesday morning in Tucson was picturesque.
The sun was shining, it was 80 degrees and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. That's football weather in the Old Pueblo.
Arizona kicked off its spring practice schedule Tuesday morning at the Davis Indoor Sports Center and Dick Tomey Practice Fields.
Arizona's first spring practice was a non-padded practice — or "helmets and underwear," as Arizona head Brent Brennan called it.
"It's not quite football, but we're out there coaching and competing and it feels like football," Brennan said. "It's awesome to get started again. This group of kids is a lot of fun to be around. I'm really excited about where we are in our process and how they continue to attack each day."
Let's dive into what happened in the introductory practice to the spring football schedule. Here are notable observations and takeaways from the Wildcats first spring football practice:
* In the first walk-through, Arizona's offensive line was Matthew Lado, Rhino Tapa'atoutai, Grayson Stovall, Alexander Doost and Louis Akpa. Arizona's receiver trio was Brandon Phelps, Isaiah Mizell and West Virginia transfer Rodney Gallagher, with San Diego State transfer Arthur Ban at tight end and Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts at running back.
* The second unit in the walk-through featured reserve quarterback Sawyer Anderson, with USC transfer D.J. Jordan, freshman Caleb Smith and redshirt freshman Landon Kelsey at receiver, and running back Cornelius Warren III. The second offensive line was Jaxon Griffin, BYU transfer Jake Griffin (Jaxon's older brother), Washington transfer Zachary Henning, Isaac Perez and San Jose State transfer Nathan Hale.
* Anderson threw a deep touchdown pass to Mizell over the middle in a 7-on-7 period.
* The first defensive secondary in the final 7-on-7 period had cornerbacks Johno Price and Wyoming transfer Tyrese Boss, with redshirt sophomore Quinn Olson, Nebraska transfer Malcolm Hartzog and redshirt sophomore Gavin Hunter in the safety and slot cornerback spots.
* USC transfer linebacker Matai Tagoa'i is now a defensive back, and second-year defensive back Coleman Patmon, who started the Holiday Bowl, converted to linebacker.
* Arizona announced several players having a limited role in the spring: defensive end Tre Smith, offensive tackle Tristan Bounds, cornerback Jay'Vion Cole, running back Quincy Craig, linebacker Jabari Mann, linebacker Myron Robinson, linebacker Kedrick Reescano, quarterback Oscar Rios, Oregon transfer defensive back Daylen Austin and Northern Colorado safety transfer Cam Chapa. "There's a handful of guys that are going to be limited this spring. We've had some postseason surgeries and cleanup stuff. It's going to take some time for guys to get back."
* Arizona is hosting unsigned 2026 defensive lineman Joseph Peko for an official visit this week. The 6-3, 310-pound Peko, a Westlake Village, California native, is currently committed to Colorado.
* Several members of last season's team attended practice, including defensive backs Treydan Stukes, Genesis Smith, Dalton Johnson and Ayden Garnes, along with defensive linemen Deshawn McKnight and Malachi Bailey and left tackle Ty Buchanan. The aforementioned players are participating in Arizona's Pro Day on Wednesday. Former UA safety Gunner Maldonado will also participate in Arizona's Pro Day.
