Pass rusher Hunter Echols brings winning pedigree to UA program seeking turnaround

The Arizona defense had just allowed a touchdown during its scrimmage Saturday at Arizona Stadium, and Hunter Echols wasn’t happy about it.

As Echols and the first-team defense headed for the sideline, he exhorted the second unit to do better. “Let’s go!” Echols yelled repeatedly. There might have been an expletive or two thrown in for emphasis.

Echols, who transferred from USC in January, already has emerged as a defensive leader for the Wildcats. He brings something to the UA program that most players on the team lack: winning experience in college football.

“Hunter’s been around teams that won championships and went to the Rose Bowl, so he knows what it takes,” said defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, who recruited and coached Echols at USC. “He’s been great for our locker room. That’s very important when you’re trying to develop a team. Hunter is bringing that to us.”

Second-year coach Jedd Fisch already has changed the culture at Arizona. Wins have been harder to come by. The Wildcats went just 1-11 in his first season.

A “Winners Wanted” banner hangs outside the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. That message also is emblazoned on T-shirts worn by Fisch and other coaches.

Many of the high school recruits Fisch and his staff landed led their teams on deep postseason runs. Most of the transfers who joined the program in January played for teams that earned bowl berths last season.

Over the course of Echols’ five seasons at USC, the Trojans posted a 33-24 record. The 2017 squad won the Pac-12 South and played in the Cotton Bowl; the ’19 team played in the Holiday Bowl.

Echols got to watch and learn from two future pros who played his pass-rushing edge position: Uchenna Nwosu and Porter Gustin.

“I just saw the way they took care of themselves and how they treated the game,” said Echols, who tallied 50 tackles in four seasons at USC. “I know those things are something that’s important, and I can help bring that here to the University of Arizona.”

Echols’ prior relationship with Nansen made Tucson an obvious destination. Nansen coached linebackers at USC from 2016-19; Echols began his career there in 2017.

Nansen was hired as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator in early December. Echols entered the NCAA transfer portal about a week later and committed to Arizona in early January.

“I just knew if Arizona offered me, I’m gonna go play with Coach Nansen,” Echols said. “I got that call, and I’m here right now.”

Echols has made a ton of plays for the UA defense during spring practice from the “Cat” position — a hybrid defensive end/linebacker. (Nansen called it “Leo” at USC, “Bruin” at UCLA.) He is working under Jason Kaufusi, who coaches the Wildcats’ edge rushers.

“The relationship with him and Coach Nansen back at USC was a big deal, obviously, for him to come over here,” said Kaufusi, who worked with Nansen the past two seasons at UCLA. “Coach Nansen did a really good job of training him back there. ... Then coming back and reuniting with Coach Nansen, you can see his development, not only as a player but as a person.”

Transfers vs. freshmen

Fisch has a different set of expectations for the transfers than he does the freshmen.

“I tell these young guys, it’s (about) getting better every day,” Fisch said. “The jump from high school to college is an enormous jump.

“I’m seeing good progress from the high school players. I just think that they’re behind in terms of where the transfer players (are). A four-year player from USC vs. a 3½-year player from high school is going to be different. But I love the way I’m seeing the competition.

“We need to keep finding ways to battle, keep finding ways to play through tough (stretches).

“It’s back and forth. Each day we’re gonna see some wins and some losses. But these guys have an unbelievable opportunity.”

Fisch said after the scrimmage that he saw “young players being young” and “veteran players being a little more veteran.” But he also saw glimpses of greatness from some of the young players.

Four freshmen scored touchdowns: tailback Jonah Coleman, tight end Keyan Burnett and receivers Tetairoa McMillan and AJ Jones. Burnett’s TD was the best of the bunch — a leaping, toe-tap grab inside the right sideline on a fourth-and-goal pass by Jayden de Laura from the 3-yard line.

“That was everything you want Keyan Burnett to do,” Fisch said. “He’s 6-5½, 6-6. You’re down in the red area. We’ve talked about this now numerous times: When you have height and opportunity in one-on-ones, that’s when you can score your touchdowns.

“The fact that we saw that from him was a great step. We actually tried the same play yesterday and didn’t hit on it. So it was nice to see that same play. ... That type of stuff is big for us.”

Coaching clinic concludes

Saturday marked the conclusion of the two-day “Be a P.R.O.” coaching clinic that featured multiple guest speakers, including L.A. Rams coach Sean McVay and former Florida coach Steve Spurrier, and brought 250 high school coaches to the UA campus.

“I was hoping to have a good high school football clinic in Tucson, and I certainly believe we did that,” Fisch said. “It’s an absolute privilege for any program to have two guys the likes of Steve Spurrier and Sean McVay come to Tucson.”

Fisch told the high school coaches to bring a “plus-one” next year — theoretically doubling the attendance. He also plans to pull head coaches from the NFL owners meeting, which is scheduled to take place in the Phoenix area next spring.

Extra points

Defensive end Jalen Harris on coming back to Arizona for a sixth season: “I just wanted to end on a better note. Winning one game wasn’t something I felt comfortable with. I had another year. Also being able to improve on my game and work on the things I need to work on.”

Jason Harris, Jalen’s brother and fellow defensive end, batted down a pass and recorded a 4-yard tackle-for-loss during the scrimmage. He has been one of Arizona’s most improved players.

Tailback Michael Wiley had a pair of 20-plus-yard gains during the first half of the scrimmage. Wiley later scored a 19-yard touchdown on a pass from de Laura.

Cornerback Isaiah Rutherford and linebacker Jerry Roberts combined for an interception of freshman QB Noah Fifita. Rutherford deflected Fifita’s pass, and Roberts caught it just before it hit the turf.

The longest touchdown of the day came on a 36-yard pass from Will Plummer to Anthony Simpson on fourth-and-long.

Running backs Drake Anderson, Stevie Rocker Jr. and Jalen John again were out because of undisclosed injuries, but that could change soon. Fisch said he is “hopeful” that Anderson and Rocker can return next week. John is about a week behind them, Fisch said. Spring practice concludes April 9.

Defensive tackle Dion Wilson Jr. and linebacker Jeremy Mercier got banged up during the scrimmage. Safety Jaxen Turner, who’s been wearing a red no-contact jersey, did not participate in the “live” tackling portion of practice.

Arizona hosted a number of recruits, including five for the class of 2023 and one for ’24. The ’23 recruits were receiver/cornerback Solomon Davis (Covina, California), offensive tackle Elijha Payne (Las Vegas), linebacker Jordan Whitney (Oxnard, California) and defensive ends Jaeden Moore (Visalia, California) and Collins Acheampong (Anaheim, California). The ’24 recruit was offensive lineman Eugene Brooks (Las Vegas).