Arizona held its first open practice of its spring football schedule on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.
The Wildcats wore shells (helmets and shoulder pads) on Saturday and wrapped up their first week of spring practices.
Here are notes and takeaways from Arizona's third practice:
*Arizona's offensive skill players used multiple periods to work on a variety of screen passes involving receivers and running backs. Screen passes were among one of many flaws in Arizona's offense last season. Screen passes to running backs and receivers will be a key component in Seth Doege's offense this season.
* The first defensive line used on Saturday was redshirt sophomore edge rusher Dominic Lolesio, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Julian Savaiinaea, redshirt junior defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson and redshirt senior Tre Smith, Arizona's returning leader in sacks. UT Martin transfer defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight, Tia Savea, Alcorn State defensive end Malachi Bailey, redshirt sophomore Jarra Anderson and junior-college transfer Leroy Palu were among the names rotating on the defensive line.
* After playing edge rusher for Arizona, redshirt junior Chase Kennedy has moved to linebacker. Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales said Kennedy and Montana transfer Riley Wilson can be used as edge rushers in a three-defensive lineman lineup.
* The 6-3, 198-pound redshirt freshman wide receiver Brandon Phelps had a breakout practice. In a one-on-one drill, Phelps bobbled a bobble and caught a deep pass. Phelps, a Gilbert native and one of the statistically best receivers in Arizona high school football history, didn't play last season.
* Arizona worked on punting and sophomore Michael Salgado-Medina had a series of 50-55-yard punts that landed inside the 20-yard line. Punter Jordan Forbes had a similar booming punt, but Salgado-Medina was more consistent. Arizona appears to be moving away from offensive and defensive linemen as punt protectors in the backfield. Instead, Arizona is using tight ends and linebackers to have more athleticism to avoid a situation similar to Kansas State's 71-yard punt return for a touchdown against the UA.
Wide receiver Luke Wysong, right, executes a drill during an Arizona football spring practice on March 18, 2025.
* Wide receivers Jeremiah Patterson, Chattanooga transfer Javin Whatley, Washington State transfer Kris Hutson, New Mexico transfer Luke Wysong and walk-on Jordan McCord practiced returning punts.
* The Wildcats hosted 13 recruits from the 2026, '27 and '28 classes on Saturday. The '26 recruits were Las Vegas safety Gavin Day, Chandler running back Jacob Brown, Phoenix offensive lineman Aaron Thomas and Fresno-area cornerback Donovan Dunmore. Three-star '27 tight end Judah Lancaster, a 6-4, 200-pound tight end from Florida's IMG Academy, was on Arizona's visitor list. The Wildcats also hosted eight players from Goodyear Desert Edge High School.
