Arizona kicked off its second week of spring practices Tuesday afternoon at Arizona Stadium, which was the first fully-padded practice for the Wildcats of the Brent Brennan era.
Here are notes and takeaways from Arizona’s fourth practice this spring:
* In the first team period, Arizona deployed a defense that featured second-year edge rusher Dominic Lolesio, senior defensive tackle Bill Norton, redshirt junior defensive tackle Keanu Mailoto and junior Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, with leading tackler Jacob Manu and sophomore Taye Brown at linebacker, along with cornerbacks Tacario Davis and Emmanuel Karnley, safeties Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson and nickel back Treydan Stukes.
* Defense had a strong practice from start to finish. Junior linebacker Justin Flowe recorded a sack in his first series. Lolesio batted down a pass attempt by quarterback Noah Fifita in the same period. Flowe and Brown later combined for a sack. Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina and Manu hinted at the linebackers blitzing more. Flowe is one of Arizona's most explosive tacklers and plays aggressive. A blitzer and added edge rusher, similar to Micah Parsons for the Dallas Cowboys, could be a good role for Flowe.
* Davis had two interceptions on Tuesday, including one against star receiver Tetairoa McMillan in one-on-one coverage drills; Fifita threw the pass. McMillan redeemed his rep by catching a slant pass against "Bobo" on the following play. Davis’ second interception on Tuesday, with Fifita throwing the pass, was in a 7-on-7 segment.
* Senior receiver and returning starter Montana Lemonious-Craig had an impressive over-the-shoulder leaping catch down Arizona’s sideline going towards the north end zone. Lemonious-Craig and McMillan are a popular receiver tandem when the Wildcats run 12 personnel and use two tight ends, including Roberto Miranda and Keyan Burnett.
* Turran Williams, a 2024 signee and a 6-3, 200-pound safety from Pasadena, California, attended Arizona's practice and stood on the sidelines with the team.
* Former Arizona tight end and NFL Draft hopeful Tanner McLachlan was also in attendance.
