Arizona continued its spring football practice schedule with its 10th practice on Tuesday, which was the first practice since the spring transfer portal period began.Β
With the portal opening β college football's version of free agency kicking off β this week, we took attendance to see which players were at practice.
Besides offensive tackle Joseph Borjon and and starting defensive tackle Bill Norton, who both decided last week to enter the transfer portal, everyone was present at practice, but several were sidelined, including left tackle Raymond Pulido, cornerback Tacario Davis, wide receiver AJ Jones and offensive tackle Matthew Lado, who was one of three players from Glendale Apollo High School to sign with the Wildcats' 2024 recruiting class; the other two, running back Adam Mohammed and guard Michael Watkins, followed the previous coaching staff to Washington before the spring.Β
Pulido, Davis, Jones and Lado weren't with the team to begin practice, but arrived for the final half and watched from the sidelines while donning their UA practice jerseys and shorts. The aforementioned players were out for undisclosed reasons, which could be injury-related.Β
Besides monitoring who's here, who's not, there were a few important moments worth noting from Tuesday's session at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields.
* Arizona nickel back Treydan Stukes intercepted quarterback Noah Fifita twice. Stukes jumped a route on the first interception and returned it for an easy pick-six. The second interception was caused on a deep ball to tight end Keyan Burnett down the field, but Stukes hauled in the pass. Stukes is having a rock-solid spring. Fifita also threw an interception to safety Gunner Maldonado on a pass to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.Β
* With Pulido out and Borjon entering the transfer portal, redshirt freshman Rhino Tapa'atoutai took essentially every rep at left tackle on Tuesday. Adding depth at the bookend positions on the offensive line will be imperative this offseason. Tapa'atoutai started alongside left guard Wendell Moe, center Josh Baker, right guard Leif Magnuson and right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea. Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost earned reps at right tackle; he's mostly been playing guard.Β
*Β With Davis out,Β Jai-AyviauynnΒ Celestine and second-year redshirt freshman Emmanuel Karnley started at cornerback on Tuesday.
* Canyon del Oro High School standout linebacker and running back Kayden Luke, who's also a star wrestler for the Dorados, attended practice on Tuesday. Luke is joining the team as a preferred walk-on this summer. Fellow Tucson-area native and walk-on linebacker Tyler Mustain, who starred at Pusch Ridge Christian, intercepted backup quarterback Brayden Dorman during a 7-on-7 period. Junior-college cornerback Johno Price also intercepted Dorman at practice on Tuesday.Β
* Ex-Wildcat and NFL offensive lineman Glenn Parker was at practice.Β
* San Jose State transfer running back Quali Conley missed another practice after suffering a leg injury on Thursday. Conley wore a boot on his right leg during practice.
* Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez is taking an official visit to the UA on Wednesday and Thursday, according to On3.com. Martinez had 355 carries for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns in the last two seasons for the Beavers. Martinez was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and a Doak Walker Award semifinalist at OSU. Martinez is also visiting Mississippi State, Tennessee, Kentucky and Miami this month.
