The transfers continue to buy into Jedd Fisch and the Arizona Wildcats.
The latest addition to new defensive coordinator Don Brown's secondary could be the biggest — and most-needed — one, after four-star cornerback and Notre Dame transfer Isaiah Rutherford committed to the UA on Twitter Thursday night.
The 6-foot, 192-pound Rutherford, who played at Jesuit High School in the Sacramento area, signed with the Fighting Irish over Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Oregon, USC and Tennessee, among others, in 2019.
After two seasons at Notre Dame, only appearing in one game, Rutherford transferred to the UA, becoming the latest pickup for the Wildcats through the transfer portal, which Fisch said would utilize similarly to "free agency."
Rutherford, who will come to UA as a sophomore, joined former four-star defensive end Jason Harris, Northwestern safety Gunner Maldonado and NU running back Drake Anderson as players to transfer to Arizona since Fisch was hired.
Adding Rutherford bolsters the depth at cornerback for the Wildcats, after a year that consisted of opt-outs and transfers — to the point where the only scholarship cornerbacks on roster were Lorenzo Burns and Christian Roland-Wallace. Burns declared for the NFL draft on New Year's Eve, leaving even more uncertainty to a depleted secondary.
Fortunately for Arizona, initial opt-out cornerback McKenzie Barnes and Malik Hausman will return to the Wildcats in 2021. UA are also expected to sign incoming freshman cornerback Jakelyn Morgan on National Signing Day in February. Houston native Bobby Wolfe's status with the team remains uncertain.
Arizona's cornerbacks will be coached by longtime defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker, who will work alongside UA great Chuck Cecil in the secondary. For a current look at the Arizona coaching staff, click here.
