Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.
Maldonado is the third defensive starter to enter the transfer portal, joining linebacker Jacob Manu and defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei.
Maldonado, who could still return to Arizona in 2025, was a mainstay in Arizona's defense the last three seasons after transferring from Northwestern in 2021. The Chandler product started 31 games in four years for the Wildcats and had 175 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass deflections, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado leaves Oklahoma offensive lineman Jacob Sexton behind in his game-changing fumble return for a touchdown in the 2023 Alamo Bowl.
Maldonado transferred to Arizona just after former head coach Jedd Fisch was hired by the Wildcats and went through 1-11 and 5-7 seasons before the 10-3 season and a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl, the best three-season turnaround in program history. Maldonado’s 87-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Alamo Bowl sparked the Wildcats’ comeback to beat Oklahoma — a play that could go arguably down as a top 3 moment in program history behind Chuck Cecil’s pick-six against Arizona State in 1986 and Ortege Jenkins’ “Leap by the Lake” against Washington in 1998.
Maldonado went from 48 tackles and three forced fumbles in 2022 to 81 tackles (third-best on the team), three fumble recoveries and two interceptions in '23.
Maldonado's missed-tackle percentage dropped from 24.2% in ’22 to 11.2% in ’23, according to Pro Football Focus. Receivers’ yards after catch (YAC), with Maldonado in coverage, dipped from 283 yards to 166, per Pro Football Focus. Maldonado’s overall PFF grade rose from 50.9 to 77.1, and his tackling grade improved from 38.1 to 76.4.
Arizona defensive back Gunner Maldonado fields questions about the upcoming season on Day 2 of Big 12 football Media Days at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2024.
Despite Fisch leaving for Washington, Maldonado, nickel back Treydan Stukes and strong safety Dalton Johnson announced their decisions to return to Arizona and play for first-year head coach Brent Brennan.
Maldonado played in four games for the Wildcats this season before he suffered a season-ending leg injury against Texas Tech. Both Stukes and Maldonado played in four games and medically redshirted to preserve a year of eligibility.
Maldonado becomes the 21st scholarship Wildcat to enter the transfer portal since it opened on Monday.
