Arizona kicked off its third week of spring ball on Tuesday. Here are notes and takeaways from the Wildcats' seventh practice this spring.Β
* Arizona continued working on special teams in the early stages of practice. The focus was punting, which had redshirt sophomore and Phoenix-area native Jordan Forbes taking reps at punter, a position previously held by former All-Pac-12 selection Kyle Ostensorp the last three seasons. BYU transfer Cash Peterman, who is also the backup kicker to Tyler Loop, is listed as a punter. The Wildcats also have kicker and punter Michael Salgado-Medina, an incoming freshman from Mission Viejo, California.
* The wall of protectors for punt coverage included defensive linemen Bill Norton, Isaiah Johnson and San Jose State transfer Tre Smith, along with guard Leif Magnuson, emerging walk-on offensive lineman Zarius Wells and defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei.Β
* While most of the time was in the Davis Indoor Sports Center, Loop practiced field goals off the tee, and the senior knocked down a few 50-yarders with ease. Loop extended his range last season and it appears he's added some leg strength.Β
* In the first team period, Arizona deployed the "dollar" package defense, a seven-defensive back scheme that former defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen introduced in 2022 to combat pass-centric offenses. The defensive backs includedΒ Jai-AyviauynnΒ Celestine, Tacario Davis, Dalton Johnson, Gunner Maldonado, DJ Warnell, Genesis Smith and Treydan Stukes. The lone linebacker in the middle was Taye Brown, after starter Jacob Manu was sidelined with an upper-body injury. Brown and Kamuela Ka'aihue were the two starting linebackers in Arizona's base defense with Manu out. The three defensive linemen in the dollar package were edge rushers Dominic Lolesio, Tre Smith and Uiagalalei.Β
* Genesis Smith stood out in Arizona's secondary on Tuesday, logging an interception and pass breakup during a team period. Smith's interception was in coverage against tight end Roberto Miranda. Several plays before that, Celestine had an impressive pass breakup in the end zone while covering receiver Malachi Riley. Smith, who was a safety last season, has been receiving reps at "Star," the position Stukes plays. Smith has emerged this spring as one of the top defensive backs. The 6-2 sophomore from Chandler, who recorded his first career interception in the Alamo Bowl, should have a more impactful role in the defense this year. The defense outplayed the offense in one team period, resulting in the offense running a sideline-to-sideline sprint as punishment.
* Former four-star linebacker recruit Leviticus Su'a worked with the third-string defense alongside linebacker Justin Flowe and recorded a sack and tackle at the line of scrimmage in a three-play sequence.Β
* After missing Saturday's practice, junior tight end Keyan Burnett returned to practice while Dorian Thomas, who left the practice on Saturday after taking a hard hit from Manu, dressed out and conditioned on the sidelines. Sophomore left tackle Raymond Pulido dressed out but was limited once again. Joseph Borjon started at left tackle during team periods. Second-year tackle Tylen Gonzalez was also at practice, but didn't participate for undisclosed reasons.Β
