The year 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable years in the Fifita household.Β
Not only did Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita break the program's career passing touchdowns record, his younger brother, Dash Fifita, signed with the Wildcats' 2026 recruiting class as a linebacker β and is coming to Tucson with some hardware.Β
Dash Fifita recently led Santa Margarita Catholic (California) to a CIF Open Division state championship. The Eagles took down Northern California powerhouse De La Salle, 47-13.
Not only did Fifita lead Santa Margarita Catholic to a state title, he was also named Co-Defensive MVP of the prestigious Trinity League in Southern California for the second straight season. Fifita finished his high school career with 201 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.Β Β
"With all of these accolades, it's all glory to God, but also my teammates and coaches have put me in the best position to succeed," Fifita said. "I think we have the best defensive staff in the nation and the best defense in the nation, as well. ... (The coaches) do all the work behind the scenes and I just go look fancy and put it on display. I could go get accolades and stats, but they're the ones doing the work. I just get to go play free and have fun with my brothers."
Dash FifitaΒ
During the early signing period, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said "Dash deserves his own credit" for what the linebacker has displayed in one of the toughest high school football conferences in the U.S.
"That's arguably the best high school football league in the country," Brennan added. "He needs to get his flowers for that because that is big time. He's tough, physical and whenever you watch him play, he's all over the football field. He's so productive, so tough, so fun to watch and you know you're getting this incredible foundation, incredible character, because you know the family so well."
Santa Margarita Catholic is led by first-year head coach and former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer, who is an alumnus of the school. The Eagles' defensive coordinator is Fifita's uncle, Steve Fifita, who was a standout defensive tackle at Utah and then played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins.
Steve Fifita held multiple coaching stints at Idaho State and Mater Dei Catholic (California) and was Santa Margarita Catholic's defensive coordinator this season.Β
"Playing for my uncle has always been a dream of mine," Dash Fifita said. "These have been some of the best two years of my life, just riding to school with him and playing for him.
"With Carson Palmer, we always talk about the lion being the king of the jungle, but also have some lamb in you; have the ability to be humble and know who you are, where you came from and don't get too ahead of yourself. To see how much he has accomplished in everything he's done in life, to see how humble he is, it shows the humility he has. I think our team has taken on that personality, as well."Β
The 5-10, 185-pound Fifita is one of six players from California to sign with Arizona's 19-player β26 recruiting class, which ranks 37th nationally and fifth in the Big 12. Manoah Faupusa, a 6-2, 360-pound defensive tackle, is joining Fifita from Santa Margarita Catholic at the UA in 2026.Β
Fifita is hopeful the collection of recruits for '26 will have a similar impact as the 2022 recruiting class that had Noah Fifita and former star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, among several other players that transformed UA football from a one-win team to winning 10 games in two years.Β
Dash Fifita was the third commit in Arizonaβs 2026 recruiting class.
"It's something special, for sure," Dash Fifita said of Arizona's 2026 recruiting class. "I always talk to Noah about it, that β22 group changed Arizona football. ... This is an amazing class."Β
Fifita joined "Spears & Ali" on ESPN Tucson to talk about signing with the Wildcats, preparing to live with his older brother and the direction of UA football as he gets ready to join the team next month as an early enrollee in the spring.Β
What has it been like getting familiar with the Arizona staff over the last two seasons, especially defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales?
A: "Danny Gonzales is great, as well as the whole staff. I'm glad the world has been able to see it with how well they're doing. Since Danny Gonzales was the linebackers coach, he's been on me. He was one of the first coaches to recruit me. That was big for me, showing how much love he had for me, and then I was able to display (my talents) my junior year.
"He was my first offer and he pulled the trigger on me early. It showed that he trusted me and he believed in me and believed in my abilities. I had a lot of love for (former defensive coordinator Duane Akina), as well, but as you know, he's at Texas. With Gonzales as our DC, that's why I wanted to come β as well as (linebackers coach Josh Bringuel).
"They brought him in from Nebraska and I love him a lot and he's been talking to me about the defense and how I'm going to fit in with them. I love Coach Brennan, as well. He's an amazing leader and amazing coach. I look forward to playing for him."
How does the creativity of Gonzales' defense β which sometimes has three- or four-linebacker lineups β fit to your skillset as a linebacker?
A: "I think it fits into my play style very well. I'm not the biggest, as many know, so being able to mix around and get different looks and confuse the quarterback, it's something that I partake in. Seeing Jabari Mann, Taye Brown, Riley Wilson and all of those boys dominate, it was great to see.
"Also, with (defensive backs) Genesis (Smith), Dalton (Johnson) and (Treydan) Stukes, just seeing how they lead a defense is something I look forward to do. I look to play like Jabari, he's one of my favorite players, just seeing how he takes his shots, just calculated and aggressive. That matches my play style. How Coach G and Coach Bringuel utilize him, it's something I look forward to them doing with me."Β
Arizona Wildcats quarterbacks Braedyn Locke (8), left, and Noah Fifita (1) share a laugh between passes during the teamβs training camp workout, Aug. 21, 2025, in Tucson.
You'll be moving to Tucson in January and moving in with your brother. What was life like growing up with Noah Fifita?
A:Β "I can't wait. We always talked about having our own house when he grew up. That has come to reality a little faster than we expected, but I can't wait. He has always had his own world, and everyone knows he's a neat freak. His room has always been the cleanest and he separates it from the rest of the house. We keep the house clean, but he's a little different.
"I can't wait to live with him, keep the house clean and hopefully I don't get yelled at too much. ... Shoes in the house, he doesn't like. If the pillows are on the ground, he'll get mad. He's one of those, for sure."Β
How was it watching your older brother's career develop at Arizona over the last four years and the legacy he's created?
A: "It's nothing short of spectacular, just to see how far he's come. I've always known he had it in him. He's taken the post of every time he's been on, from the (Orange County Buckeyes), to Servite β even Arizona, when he wasn't starting; he was backing up Jayden de Laura.
Dash Fifita is the reigning Trinity League Co-Defensive Player of the Year and younger brother of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita.
"Even Jayden de Laura will tell you himself that he had a lot of respect for Noah, as well as the whole team. You saw it when he went in the Stanford game (in 2023), the team didn't lose a beat. The team respected him, and they've always respected him.
"For him to come this far and remain humble, it's nothing short of spectacular. It's something I idolize and I hope to take after him. To see the legacy he's made for me to come in and continue that, it's been great."Β
How do you feel about the direction of Arizona football entering 2026?
A: "I feel great. (Offensive coordinator Seth Doege) always says, 'Hop on this train before it's too late.' As you can see, the train is starting to take off and that started at the top with Coach Brennan.
"Through the highs, through the lows, through the hate and through the love, he has remained constant and has remained stable, and he has continued to lead his men and not care about the outside noise. You can see Tucson rally around him and believe in him.
"I think it goes to show where this thing is going and where God is taking us."
