Next weekβs national championship game means the close of a chaotic and strange, but ultimately memorable, college football season.
Players from Tucson were well represented across the country, even during the shortened schedule. Several will have new homes next year, while one may have a national title ring.
Here's how they all did in the 2020 season:
Jamarye Joiner, WR, Arizona
Arizona wide receiver Jamarye Joiner, bottom, makes catch in front of UCLA defensive back Elisha Guidry (30) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
From: Cienega High School
The rundown: Shortly after the Arizona Wildcats fired Kevin Sumlin, the Tucson product announced he was entering the transfer portal after three seasons with the Wildcats.Β
However, Joiner tweeted on Jan. 7 that after speaking with new UA coach Jedd Fisch and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings, he had decided to return to Arizona.
Joiner, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver, emerged late in the 2019 season as a pass-catching threat following his decision to switch from quarterback to receiver. Joinerβs 2020 season with the Wildcats ended with 111 receiving yards and one touchdown.
For his UA career, Joiner has 46 catches, 663 yards and six touchdowns with three years of eligibility remaining.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) scores against Colorado during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game , Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: Could Robinson be among the 2021 Heisman contenders in 2021? Itβs not a crazy thought given the running backβs remarkable finish to his freshman season. The Longhorns tailback rushed for 172 yards and 183 yards in his final two games of the year, averaging 18.6 yards per carry. And no, thatβs not a typo.
The six-foot, 220-pound freshman led Texas in rushing, carrying the ball 86 times for 703 yards and four touchdowns over the course of the year. He also showcased his receiving ability, catching 15 passes for 196 yards and two scores. Expect No. 5 to be the clear feature back for the Longhorns going forward.
Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
Salpointe Catholic High School football safety Lathan Ransom hugs head coach Dennis Bene after Salpointe Catholic High School football's signing event at Frog & Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on December 18th, 2019. Ransom signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: At the time of this writing, Lathan Ransomβs freshman season still has one more chapter to be written and he could have a national championship ring on his finger in just a matter of days. The Buckeye defensive back is the lone Tucsonan competing in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game this season. Ransom played 28 snaps in the semifinal playoff game against Clemson, eclipsing the 24 snaps he had played in the six games prior.
Ransomβs 28 snaps versus Clemson led all OSU freshmen and he was used as the fifth defensive back when OSU deployed nickel coverage. If the Buckeyes play nickel defense against No. 1 Alabama, Ransomβs name could get called uponΒ in the national championship.
Matteo Mele, OL, Washington
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: Mele competed for the Huskiesβ starting center position in training camp but was beat out by incumbent senior Luke Wattenburg who started all four games. Fittingly, Meleβs only action of the season came against the Wildcats, a game in which the Huskies ran all over Arizona and won 44-27. The junior will be hoping to win the starting center role in the offseason.
Trenton Bourguet, QB, Arizona State
From: Marana High School
The rundown: Bourguet, Maranaβs all-time passing leader, finally got a taste of playing quarterback at the college level and it came against the Wildcats. After joining the Sun Devils as a walk-on in 2019, Bourguet earned the backup role behind Jayden Daniels in 2020.
During the fourth quarter of ASUβs 70-7 walloping of Arizona, the Tucson product got a chance to strap on the helmet and play in his home city. Bourguet completed one of two passes for 24 yards and led ASU on a touchdown drive. Heβs expected to be the backup QB again in 2021.
Bruno Fina, OL, UCLA
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: The son of UA legend John Fina, UCLA offensive lineman Bruno Fina just wrapped up his first year as a Bruin. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound lineman didnβt appear in a game during the shortened season, meaning he likely received the redshirt designation and will work to earn playing time next year.
Stanley Berryhill, WR, Ball State
The throw is just a bit too tall for receiver Stanley Berryhill III to bring down at the University of Arizona's practice at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., October 21, 2020.
From: Mountain View High School/Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High School
The rundown: Berryhill is a Tucson product leaving the Arizona Wildcats program and will play next season at Ball State University. In his third full year with the Cats, Berryhill was one of the bright spots on an otherwise disappointing UA team, leading the squad in both receiving yards (227) and touchdowns (3).
Drew Dixon, WR, transfer portal
From: Sabino High School
The rundown: Dixon is another one of Arizona's homegrown receiving threats to depart from the program. The redshirt junior was unable to find consistent success as a Wildcat, catching just 17 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons. Dixon opted out of the 2020 season after three games and announced his decision to transfer on Dec. 31, 2020. The 6-foot-3 wideout still has two years of eligibility remaining as he explores his options.
Rhett Rodriguez, QB, transfer portal
From: Catalina Foothills High School
The rundown: RhettRod remained loyal to Arizona as long as he could and announced his decision to transfer from the Wildcatsβ program after the 2020 season. Rodriguez was the No. 3 quarterback on UAβs depth chart last season and his only snaps of the year came at the end of the Territorial Cup.
The 2016 Southern Arizona High School Offensive Player of the Year will have one final year of eligibility left wherever he ends up. He ended his time with the Cats having completed 51-of-100 passes for 578 yards and three touchdowns.
Matt Bushman, TE, BYU
Former Sabino High tight end Matt Bushman chose BYU over Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Washington.
From: Sabino High School
The rundown: Bushman, one of BYUβs top offensive players, sat out the 2020 season due to a ruptured Achilles. If healthy, heβs on track to be the teamβs starting tight end in 2021.
David Watson, OT, Arizona
From: Amphitheater High School
The rundown: Watson has yet to appear in any games as a Wildcat during his three years with the team, though the previous coaching staff under Kevin Sumlin noted his improvement. UAβs offensive line has been made up of mainly upperclassmen the last couple seasons, so Watson will look to make his way into the group in 2021.
Derick Bush, CB, Coastal Carolina
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: For college football fans that didnβt know what a Chanticleer was at the beginning of the season, they sure do now. Bush started at corner during Coastal Carolinaβs dream year helping the program to an 11-0 regular season record. The junior had 41 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception in 12 contests.
Connor Witthoft, TE, New Mexico
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: Witthoft was one of the many backup tight ends for New Mexico as the Lobos featured senior Marcus Williams as the top option. The freshman still managed to make an impact this year, though and started five games on special teams.
The 6-foot-3 pass-catcher will look to continue to move up the depth chart in 2021.
Trent Strong, LB, SMU
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: One of Tucsonβs top linebackers in 2019, Strong didnβt play during SMUβs 7-3 season but adds depth to one of the AACβs top programs.
Kyle Breed, OL, Arizona State
From: Ironwood Ridge High School
The rundown: Breed, a redshirt junior, is still looking for playing time on the Sun Devils after ASU was only able to play in four games during the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
Jacob Meeker-Hackett, P, Arizona
Arizona place holder Jacob Meeker-Hackett, left, is pushed out of bounds by UCLA defensive lineman Datona Jackson (58) after a botched field goal-attempt during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
From: Cienega High School
The rundown: Meeker-Hackett played at Pima College and Texas State before returning to Tucson. He served as Arizonaβs place holder on field goals and as the backup punter behind Tyler Loop.
Mario Padilla, DB, transfer portal
From: Salpointe Catholic High School
The rundown: Padilla walked-on to the Ole Miss program at the beginning of 2019, but announced his plans to transfer in Dec. 2020. The Arizona Wildcats originally offered Padilla a scholarship in 2019 during his high school recruitment.
Calib McRae, LB, Arizona
From: Mountain View High School
The rundown: Since joining the Wildcats as a walk-on halfway through the 2019 season, McRae has yet to appear in a game.
Jacob Bracamonte, OL, Arizona
From: Tucson High
The rundown: The 6-3, 298-pound lineman joined UA as a walk-on in 2020.
Josh Hart, WR, Arizona State
From: Salpointe Catholic
The rundown: The redshirt freshman has spent the last two seasons as a wide receiver on ASUβs scout team.
