One day after losing out on a defensive lineman, the Arizona Wildcats have added one to their roster.
Dereck Boles, who played two seasons at Boise State, committed to Arizona on Sunday. Boles reunites with UA defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who served in the same capacity at Boise in 2014 and ’15.
Boles played last season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College after being dismissed from the Boise program in February 2016 following an altercation with a teammate at a party.
Boles was charged with felony mayhem after he allegedly bit off part of teammate Chanceller James’ ear. An Idaho jury found Boles not guilty last month. His attorney contended that Boles acted in self-defense.
Boles’ commitment came a day after Minnesota graduate transfer Gaelin Elmore picked East Carolina over Arizona. Like Elmore, Boles will be eligible to play in 2017.
Boles had 11 tackles, including four for losses, in 13 games for Boise State as a redshirt freshman in 2015. He had 66 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games for Coffeyville last season.
Boles, who’s from Lakeland, Florida, is listed on the Red Ravens’ roster at 6-3, 290 pounds.
Defensive line is a position of need for Arizona, which lost seniors Sani Fuimaono and Aiulua Fanene from last year’s team. The Wildcats also lost the services of Justin Holt, who medically retired in February.
Arizona added two interior defensive linemen, Kurtis Brown and Sione Taufahema, in its 2017 recruiting class. USC transfer Noah Jefferson also is expected to join the team, but he likely won’t be eligible until 2018.
