In addition to replacing three multi-year starters in Treydan Stukes, Genesis Smith and Dalton Johnson in the defensive secondary, the Wildcats needed reinforcements at cornerback.
The Wildcats lost starters in Michael Dansby and Ayden Garnes, who were both one-year transfers last season and are now preparing for the NFL Draft. Plus, former starter Marquis Groves-Killebrew and a few other defensive backs entered the transfer portal.
Of the eight defensive backs Arizona signed in the transfer portal, three of them are cornerbacks: Tyrese Boss (Wyoming), Dwight Bootle (Charlotte) and Zuri Watson (Howard).
"We were looking for guys that fit us, which is a difficult thing to do in the portal, because it's like speed dating," said Arizona cornerbacks coach Chip Viney. "Some guys that fit our program, our secondary, and do some of the things we like to do on the back end in terms of technique."
The common thread between the transfer portal pickups at cornerback: they have collegiate experience, but still have multiple years of eligibility. Boss and Watson have three years of eligibility remaining — Bootle has two. Boss, Watson and Bootle have a combined 1,702 defensive snaps in their careers.
"We were looking for experience with guys who can come in and not only play right away, but have continuity for years to come," Viney said. "I think every school in the country would like to have seniors and they've played three or four years and they're in their last season, but to turn over a roster like that every year is tough. So, we tried to look for guys with some years under their belt in terms of playing time, but also some guys that can give the room some continuity."
Arizona cornerbacks coach Chip Viney speaks to reporters on media day at Davis Sports Center, July 29, 2025.
The 5-11, 181-pound Boss signed with Wyoming's 2024 recruiting class as a two-star recruit from Chino Hills High School (California). He also received offers from Eastern Washington, Montana State and Oregon State.
Boss played in two games as a freshman in 2024 and appeared in 12 games last season, recording 39 tackles and no interceptions. Boss "is a young man that has played a ton of ball," Viney said.
"He was poised to play as a true freshman at Wyoming and then ended up having an injury that kept him out," said Arizona's cornerbacks coach. "He returned the next year and became a full-time starter for them. I loved how he competed play in and play out. He's been a thrill to have. He loves the process. He fits us in what we're trying to accomplish this year."
The personal relationships established with the Arizona coaching staff from the time Boss entered the transfer portal, to the moment he stepped foot on the UA campus for an official visit, led to him joining the Wildcats.
"Instead of handshakes, it was a lot of hugs," Boss said. "It felt like a family event. That really helped me make my decision."
Boss, who's been among the players taking first-team reps this spring, said "it's been great transitioning from Wyoming to here."
"The weather is different in Wyoming, so it's good to play in the hot, sunny weather," Boss said. "The competition has been the biggest (difference), and I think I've been adapting very well to it. The transition has been hard, but really good. It's been going well."
The 5-10, 188-pound Watson signed with Howard in 2024 following his standout career at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida. Watson redshirted his freshman season in 2024 and played in 15 games last season, recording 34 tackles, nine pass deflections and an interception.
Arizona defensive back Tyrese Boss (9) runs a play against Xaier Hiler (30) during spring practice on Tomey field, April 6.
Bootle, a 5-9, 174-pound Miami native, started his career at Nebraska and played two seasons for the Cornhuskers before transferring to Charlotte, where he was a starter in 2025. Bootle had 38 tackles and a pass deflection for the 49ers this past season.
Bootle "is very, very wiry and quick, can run," Viney said.
"Reminds me of the guys that we had last year," added Viney. "He's a young man that brings a lot of energy to the room. The guys love him and take to him. He's a guy that I think is going to make a lot of plays this year."
Another option at cornerback for the Wildcats is freshman and early enrollee Xaier Hiler, a 6-3, 174-pound Dallas-area native, who has a similar frame and skillset as former UA standout cornerback Tacario Davis, who finished his college career at Washington and will likely become an NFL Draft pick this month.
Hiler is "long and tall and can sink his hips and move direction," Viney said.
"Xaier is learning how to be a Division I college football player," Viney added. "He's really embracing that. I'm excited about him being here with us."
Hiler is "something special," Boss said.
"Even though he has to develop still, you see glimpses of a lot of things and he shows that he can be a great player," Boss said. "He listens well and is good with details and attention. I think if he keeps his head down, stays locked in with the program, he's going to have a really good football career."
Arizona returns a few cornerbacks from last season's roster: redshirt senior Jay'Vion Cole, redshirt junior Johno Price and second-year defensive backs Dajon Hinton and Swayde Griffin.
Arizona defensive back Johno Price (21) participates in route drills during spring practice on Tomey field, April 6.
Price grew up in East Palo Alto, California and has two step brothers: Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, who are both cornerbacks in the NFL. Rejzohn Wright played under the late John Beam at Laney College in Oakland, California and was one of the featured players on the Netflix series "Last Chance U." Price made an appearance in one of the episodes.
Price graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School before playing a season at College of San Mateo in Northern California, one of the top junior college football programs nationally, and then joined Arizona in 2024.
"Going JuCo helped a lot," Price said. "It helped me grow up faster. I wasn't immature, but I wasn't at that level. Going JuCo helped me get to a different mindset and put work in not only on the field but off the field. ... JuCo was a grind, way different than here. But I feel like that's why I'm here."
Price appeared in all 13 games and played 81 defensive snaps last season. Price was mostly a special teams contributor in Arizona's 9-4 season that ended with a loss in the Holiday Bowl.
The leader of the pack will be Cole, who's entering his second season at Arizona following stops at Cal Poly, San Jose State and Texas. Cole was second in the Big 12 with four interceptions last season. Cole had a pick-six in Arizona's 48-3 win over Weber State.
With Garnes and Dansby as starters, Cole was "part-time starter for us and accepted that role, but was able to take the field when we needed him," Viney said.
"He's a young man that has matured and has taken full control of that room and is leading these guys into the season," Viney said.
Cole, who's nicknamed "Boog," is limited this spring due to an undisclosed injury, but "limited or not, Jay'Vion is gaining just as much experience off the field, because now he's like a coach," Viney said. Cole is sitting in on defensive line and linebackers meetings and film sessions "and really learning the system, because he has time now," Viney said.
Arizona defensive back Jay'Vion Cole (8) and defensive back Gavin Hunter (23) celebrate Cole’s pick-six against Weber State in the third quarter, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tucson.
"He's a young man that we expect big things from this year, and I'm really excited for him in his last year," Viney added.
Added Price: "Boog buys in to everything he does. He knows how to attack the work and does everything right. He's a great listener and a great teammate and a guy you can always count on."
Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales believes the Wildcats "have the pieces to be better on defense than we were last year, if Chip and (safeties coach Brett Arce) can work their magic and coach the guys we recruited in the secondary, because we have a ton of speed and we have a chance to be good up front."
Those are lofty expectations, especially considering Arizona had one of the top passing defenses in college football last season. But Viney sees the vision.
"So far, I love the group that we have," Viney said. "Great group of guys that love learning, love coming in and getting extra work and that can go a long, long way in the process."
