Arizona's defensive line added another veteran after former USC Trojan Stanley Ta'ufo'ou told On3.com and 247Sports.com he plans on joining the Wildcats this season.
Ta'ufo'ou is entering his sixth season of college football after playing at USC from 2019-23.
The 6-2, 275-pound graduate student from Simi Valley, California became a mainstay in USC's defense during the 2021 season and appeared in 12 games with nine starts. In 36 games over his five-year career at USC, Ta'ufo'ou recorded 55 tackles, 7.5 stops for loss, a sack and three fumble recoveries, including a 23-yard touchdown return against Nevada last season.
Ta'ufo'ou becomes Arizona's most experienced defensive lineman for the upcoming season and bolsters a position group that lost nine scholarship players from the 2023 season, including all four starters in Isaiah Ward, who transferred to Washington, undrafted NFL linemen Taylor Upshaw and Tyler Manoa and Bill Norton, who transferred to Texas.
In the transfer portal, the Wildcats have added seven defensive linemen: Former San Jose State star and All-Mountain West defensive end Tre Smith, edge rushers Chase Kennedy (Utah) and Lance Keneley (Stanford), defensive tackle Chubba Ma'ae (UC Davis), Kevon Darton (Syracuse) and Jarra Anderson (Memphis). Notable returners for this upcoming season include junior Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, Isaiah Johnson, Sterling Lane II, Keanu Mailoto, Tristan Davis and Dominic Lolesio, among others.
The Wildcats have added 14 players in the transfer portal since the end of spring practices in April.
Arizona kicks off the 2024 season against New Mexico on Aug. 31 in Tucson.
Here's a full list of transfer portal prospects Arizona has picked up this spring:
Jarra Anderson, defensive lineman, Memphis
Adam Damante, quarterback, NAU
Demetrius Freeney, cornerback, Miami
Anthony Garcia, quarterback, San Jose State
Justin Holloway, long snapper, Ohio
Lance Keneley, defensive end, Stanford
Chase Kennedy, defensive end, Utah
Shancco 'Ise' Matautia, offensive lineman, New Mexico/Arizona State
Reymello Murphy, wide receiver, Old Dominion
Sam Olson, tight end, San Jose State
Kedrick Reescano, running back, Ole Miss
Jonah Rodriguez, offensive line, San Diego State
Stanley Ta'ufo'ou, defensive line, USC
Michael Wooten, offensive lineman, Oregon
