Arizona Spring Ball-p2.jpg

Cornerback Ephesians Prysock stretches out with the defensive unit as the Wildcats get ready for the University of Arizona’s spring practice session in March.

Arizona will be without at least one of its starting defensive backs for the 2024 season, after sophomore cornerback Ephesians Prysock announced his decision to transfer to Washington on Saturday.Β Β 

Prysock follows former head coach Jedd Fisch and cornerbacks coach John Richardson to Seattle.

Prysock joins running back Jonah Coleman, Indiana transfer cornerback Jordan Shaw, four-star 2024 quarterback Demond Williams and Phoenix-area running back Adam Mohammed as former UA players to transfer to Washington.Β 

Prysock signed with Arizona's loaded 2022 recruiting class as a four-star prospect and started 16 games over two seasons for the Wildcats.Β 

The 6-4, 190-pound sophomore and Los Angeles-area native started all 13 games for the Wildcats this past season; he appeared in 10 games as a true freshman and was integrated in the UA's "dollar" package defense that used seven defensive backs.Β 

Prysock immediately emerged as one of Arizona's leader in the secondary as a sophomore and recorded 61 tackles and one interception in the Wildcats' 10-3 season in 2023 that ended with a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.

At best, the Wildcats could return four of five starters from the '23 season. Junior nickel back Treydan Stukes, free safety Gunner Maldonado and strong safety Dalton Johnson announced last weekend their decision to stay at the UA. Sophomore cornerback Tacario Davis, who led the Pac-12 in pass breakups, is in the transfer portal.

Other options at cornerback for Arizona include Stukes, redshirt freshman Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, freshman Emmanuel Karnley, three-star 2024 prospect Rahim Wright and four-star Seattle cornerback Rahshawn Clark, albeit he's likely to go to Washington.Β 

Brent Brennan was officially announced as the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats on Tuesday. Brennan flew to Tucson and walked into Arizona Stadium with the Pride of Arizona playing "Bear Down, Arizona" and mascots Wilbur and Wilma greeting the new UA coach. (Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star)


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Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports