Arizona is nearing a dozen practices this spring after finishing session No. 11 on Thursday at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields.
Here are notes and takeaways from Thursday's practice:
* Former Oregon State running back Damien Martinez, who is one of the top offensive prospects in the portal, attended practice and stood on the sidelines next to San Jose State transfer running back Quali Conley, who has been out for a week with a right leg injury. Martinez had 355 carries for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns in the last two seasons for the Beavers. The 6-0, 232-pound 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. Arizona's current scholarship running backs include Conley, Rayshon "Speedy" Luke, redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson, freshman Jordan Washington and New Mexico transfer Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who will join the team in the summer, after scoring 18 touchdowns for the Lobos last season.
* After missing Tuesday's practice, cornerback Tacario Davis, wide receiver AJ Jones and linebacker Jacob Manu returned on Thursday. Offensive linemen Raymond Pulido and Matthew Lado remained sidelined for undisclosed reasons. Manu missed the last week of practices with a hand injury and wore a red jersey at practice on Thursday, signifying limited reps due to injury.
* With Pulido out, Rhino Tapa'atoutai started at left tackle once again, with Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost as the backup. Doost took reps at right guard and right tackle before Thursday.
* Junior-college transfer defensive end Cyrus Durham sacked quarterback Brayden Dorman during one of the first team periods. The 6-4, 235-pound Durham excellent hands and quickness that should include him in the rotation of defensive linemen during the season.
* Gunner Maldonado, who is also wearing a red jersey in practice, picked up a sack on a safety blitz. Prior to Maldonado's sack, sophomore Genesis Smith blitzed and broke through Arizona's offensive line.
* Redshirt freshman tight end Dorian Thomas pirouetted for a highlight catch in one-on-one drills. The receiver-converted-tight end has been impressive this spring as a pass-catcher.
* Second-year wide receiver Jackson Holman is also shining this spring as a standout pass-catcher. The 6-4, 205-pound Holman is a technician in running routes and seldomly drops passes.
* Junior defensive back Will Uhrich entered the transfer portal on Thursday. The junior from Burlingame, California played in 19 games as a special teams contributor over the last two seasons.
The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev talk latest Arizona football storylines, transfer portal, spring standouts and potential breakout stars for the Wildcats.
