Two days after Arizona's win in the Alamo Bowl, the Wildcats picked up, well, a Wildcat.Β
Northwestern offensive lineman Alexander Doost announced on Saturday that he's transferring to the UA after one season in Chicago.
Doost, a 6-7, 295-pound Glendale native, played preps ball at Mountain Ridge High School and signed with Northwestern over Arizona, BYU, Arizona State, Washington and Michigan State, among others. He was rated by 247Sports.com as the 18th-best prospect in Arizona and the 95th-best interior offensive lineman in the nation for the 2023 recruiting class.
Doost boosts Arizona's depth at offensive line after losing potential first-round pick and left tackle Jordan Morgan. In Arizona's win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl on Thursday, the Wildcats started freshman Raymond Pulido at left tackle after previously starting most of the season at right guard. Sophomore star Jonah Savaiinaea started the bowl game at right guard, the position he started 12 games at as a freshman before sliding to right tackle in 2023. Redshirt sophomore Joseph Borjon started at right tackle, but was benched for guard Leif Magnuson and Savaiinaea reverted back to tackle, after Oklahoma's pass-rushers leaked through and collapsed the pocket on quarterback Noah Fifita.Β
If Arizona wants to keep Pulido and Savaiinaea as its bookend tackles, Doost could compete with Magnuson for the starting right guard spot in the spring and preseason training camp. Starting left guard Wendell Moe and center Josh Baker are also returning to the UA in 2024.Β
Doost is the first offensive player to transfer to Arizona for the 2024 season. The Wildcats most recently signed Indiana cornerback Jordan Shaw, UC Davis defensive tackle Chubba Maae and Tennessee safety Jack Luttrell.Β
