Saturday storylines: Arizona football '22 recruiting class looking like program's best-ever

Five storylines for No. 21 Arizona's afternoon matchup with Colorado in Boulder on Saturday

In many ways, Jedd Fisch and Deion Sanders aren't so different. 

They both inherited run-down Power 5 teams with talent gutted from the roster. When Fisch assembled his staff in 2021, “we didn’t hire them in a spot where they felt like they were just gonna walk in the door and we’re just gonna go win," Fisch said. 

“And then we went and recruited a bunch of great players when we were 1-11," he added.

Here's where Fisch and Sanders are different: Fisch and his staff dedicated most of their recruiting efforts to the high school players of the 2022 recruiting class. With the NCAA removing the transfer portal cap, Sanders brought what he referred to as his Louis Vuitton luggage — an influx of players from other programs, including his former school, Jackson State. Between the start of the 2022 season and this year, Colorado had over 70 players transfer from its program; two of them are now Wildcats in defensive end Taylor Upshaw and wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig.

In the first season under Sanders, Colorado is heavily leaning on its transfers. In Year 3 under Fisch, the Wildcats rely on a mixture of their redshirt freshmen and sophomores from the 2022 recruiting class, along with transfer portal additions through the last three offseasons. 

"To get that class of ’22 to come here," Fisch said. "I’ll continue to brag on that class forever."

Fisch has a reason to brag — or 15. Fifteen of Arizona's 23 high school additions from the 2022 recruiting class either play significant snaps on offense, defense or special teams. Arizona's leading passer (Noah Fifita), rusher (Jonah Coleman), receiver (Tetairoa McMillan) and tackler (Jacob Manu) are all second-year players. Nine players from the ’22 class start on either offense or defense for the Wildcats. 

"One of our top priorities when we first got here was getting that first class that we got to recruit on our own," said Arizona offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll. "We put a lot of work into it, a lot of time into it. We built those relationships. It wasn't easy. It took all the way until signing day and all that, but it's been worth it.

Fifita and Manu "did a great job of rallying the troops," Fisch said. 

"You had players who have not traditionally come to Arizona, come to Arizona. You had guys that were committed to other programs and decided to come to Arizona instead," he said. "You start naming all the people in the class and it's one after another after another that we're watching play."

Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen said the ’22 group is littered with "high-character guys."

"When you have high-character guys in the room, it makes your job a lot easier," Nansen said.

Added Carroll: "Getting to meet those kids and build this program through recruiting is the way you have to do it. We lucked out and got some great kids, targeted the right guys, and I felt like those guys were going to be leaders in this program for many years to come."

It's personal for Arizona's two former Buffs 

Saturday will mark the fifth game this season a current Wildcat faces their former team. Up next, starters in defensive end Taylor Upshaw and wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, who both transferred to the UA in the spring.

Lemonious-Craig, who dazzled in Colorado's spring game under Sanders, has taken over the starting "Z" receiver position for Dorian Singer, a departing transfer now at USC. Lemonious-Craig adds a "veteran mind and attitude into our offense," said Fifita.  

"He's brought a swagger and a selflessness to this offense," Fifita said. "He's one of the most selfless people that I know." 

Upshaw, the son of former NFL defensive lineman Regan Upshaw, played at Michigan and recorded 36 tackles and five sacks in four years before transferring to Colorado in the spring. At the conclusion of spring ball, Upshaw was in the transfer portal again. 

"Turns out, it probably wasn't the best fit for myself, ended up in the portal again and found a home with the Wildcats," he said. "I think U of A schematically, coaching-wise, where I want to go, it set me up for the best place for those things. 

"I loved everything about it when I got here. I just felt like it was home when I got here."

Nansen was connected to Upshaw through Arizona defensive graduate assistants and former Michigan staffers Aaron Van Horn and Teddy Bolin. 

"We were looking for a defensive end at the time and he brought him on a visit. It's a great relationship, perfect fit and he committed on the spot," Nansen said. "I'm glad we have him, because he's really changing not only our defense but he's brought great leadership to the group. ... It's been great to have him."

Upshaw, who leads the team with 7.5 sacks, is on pace to have the most sacks by a Wildcat since Scooby Wright (14) in 2014 and has "become a real disruptive pass-rusher, and we're excited he's on our team."

Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes said, "Uppy has been great for our D-Line and has brought some veteran leadership."

"He's my best friend as a DB," Stukes said. "I don't have to cover someone for so long when he's back there getting sacks." 

Fisch addressed the personal matchup with two former Buffs.  

"We talk about it and try not make it personal or make it emotional," Fisch said. "Just play football. Just go play a team, go out there, don't worry that you came from there or made a decision to go somewhere else and just play ball. If we can be focused and disciplined on just playing ball ... then we're doing it right. If we start getting silly and start doing some dumb things, then we gotta clear that up." 

Prime hands offensive keys to former NFL coach

Last week, Colorado revoked offensive coordinator Sean Lewis' play-calling duties and elevated offensive analyst and longtime NFL coach Pat Shurmur to an on-field coach following the Buffaloes' 242 yards of total offense in a loss to UCLA. CU followed it up with 238 yards last week against Oregon State and extended its losing streak to three games. 

When Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of Deion Sanders, was asked if he encouraged the switch, he said, "You're just asking me a setup question... You just want just a headline question. I'm not even gonna answer that."

Deion Sanders said “I’m past that."

"Let that go, man. Just let it go," Sanders said. "You barking up a tree that you ain’t gonna get up. Just let it go." 

Fisch crossed paths with Shurmur in the NFL and has "been around him a few times," the Arizona coach said.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

"He was an analyst and he knows what they're doing. He was in those meetings and was probably very involved," Fisch said. "I don't know the extent of what analysts do over there, but I know our analysts have a great feel of what we're doing."

The Buffaloes are likely "not going to change the offense" too much at this point of the season, according to Fisch.  

"Will there be challenges? Sure. Will he add different wrinkles? Sure. I'm sure there will be some protection changes and how they want to handle certain things in the running game," Fisch said. "From watching last week, there's still most of the stuff they were doing all year." 

Stukes at nickelback 'best thing that's ever happened' for Arizona

When Arizona defensive backs assistant Duane Akina was first hired, one of the first messages he relayed to Stukes was, "You're not here to play cover corner or field safety, you're here to play DB," Stukes said.

"That means learning what everyone else is doing on the field, knowing your assignment and knowing the scheme of the defense — why we're doing what we're doing," said Stukes. "I think our room has embraced that and try to understand those type of things to be a complete DB."

After starting at cornerback for the last two seasons, the former walk-on converted to nickelback. In his new role, the lengthy and high-jumping Stukes has 34 tackles and three stops for loss. The junior from Litchfield Park made noticeable tackles in Arizona's upset win over UCLA by shedding blockers and wrapping up carriers. 

"Right after last season, we had to move someone that's physical enough from the corner position to our nickel. He fits the mold we're looking for," said Nansen. "It's been the best thing that's ever happened to us, because he's allowed us to be more flexible as far as our calls. Not only can he play the run, but man, I don't think too many people are trying to challenge him the vertical game. He's got a high football IQ. It's a blessing to have him on the field."

For the first time this season last week, Stukes and fellow nickelback Martell Irby started together, with Irby starting at "Mike" linebacker in place of Justin Flowe.   

"That was specifically for UCLA. We thought we had a good idea how we wanted to defend him and we wanted a, let's call it, a DB playing linebacker. That's what we thought was the right fit for us against them in that particular week," Fisch said. "How we handle this week, we'll see on Saturday. Martell is a DB, he's a nickel.

"One of the issues is Treydan Stukes is playing at such a high level, you don't want to take him out. So when you have guys with certain skills and bring certain things to the table, you want to be able to keep them in. So it's how do we get him in and not take another guy out?"

Irby "plays with passion, he brings energy and he's smart," Nansen said.

"He's a tough kid," he said.

"If you look at our two linebackers right now (between Irby and Manu), they're probably the shortest in America right now, but the size of their heart, I'll take that any day. They play fast and care about each other and the team." 

Colorado's Hunter 'one of the better corners' in college football

Among the plethora of transfers to follow "Coach Prime" era at Colorado is FB Travis Hunter — and FB doesn't stand for fullback, it means footballer. Hunter, who Nansen dubbed "one of the better corners in the country," is a two-way standout receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes — and excels on both sides of the ball much like his head coach, who is one of the top two-way players in NFL history.  

Hunter, who will likely become a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has logged 418 snaps as a defensive back for the Buffaloes this season while playing 312 at wide receiver. He missed three games earlier this season from a lacerated liver he suffered against Colorado State. Hunter has 20 tackles, three interceptions and three pass breakups, along with 458 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The Wildcats haven't faced a Pac-12 opponent with a two-way contributor in 10 years, when UCLA freshman Myles Jack rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on six carries, while recording eight tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery at linebacker.

Could Arizona have a two-way player if it wanted to? Nansen recommended Irby, while offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll suggested right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea "as a road grader" at nose tackle.

With Hunter as the ringleader on defense, Colorado has "an opportunistic mentality, so they're willing to jump routes," said Fisch. 

The Buffaloes are trained to have eyes on the quarterback and punch the ball when tackling ball carriers, a method taught by their defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, who formerly coached at Alabama, Tennessee and Florida State. Colorado is tied for 10th in the country with 18 takeaways this season. 

"I can tell you that defense is very, very well-coached and has a knack for getting the ball," Fisch said.  

Loop named Lou Groza Award semifinalist

Arizona kicker Tyler Loop was recently named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, an annual award given to the top kicker in college football. Loop was one of two kickers from the Pac-12 to make the 20-player semifinalist cut, along with Stanford's Joshua Karty.

The last UA kicker to win the Lou Groza Award was Steve McLaughlin in 1994. 

Loop, a junior from Lucas, Texas, has made 13 of 15 field goals this season and notched his first 50-yarder as a Wildcat with a 51-yard field goal against Oregon State — a difference-making score in a 27-24 win over the Beavers. Loop has kicked a career-high 46 touchbacks on 53 kickoff attempts. Fisch said Loop "has absolutely booted the ball."

"When it comes to field goals, there's really no range that isn't within his range," Fisch said of Loop. "He's got an extremely big leg, can make all the kicks and does everything right on and off the field. He's exactly what you would want from a student-athlete both culturally within our program and on the field."

Before this season, Arizona more often attempted offensive plays on fourth down if the ball was spotted around the opposing team's 35-yard line, but Loop's recent progress as a placekicker has instilled confidence in Fisch to cue up his kicker when needed.  

"I'm not going to turn the ball over to another team on the 38- or 40-yard line if I didn't think we'd make those kicks," Fisch said. "What he's shown us in practice is his ability to consistently hit those 55-, 56-, 57-yard field goals. When you have that, you have the flexibility at times to kick the ball when you're at at the 37- or 38-yard line. ... He's kicking the ball extremely well and I'm happy for him."

Loop's short game is also clutch and consistent. In field goals under 40 yards, Loop has made all 35 of his attempts since 2021. Loop's 22-yard field goal in the 27-10 win over UCLA put the Wildcats ahead by three scores with just over four minutes left in the game.

In the mile-high elevation in Boulder, "you're now more at sea level, so now you have a chance for the ball to fly even further," Fisch said.

"Punting the ball from the 40-(yard line) is almost a guarantee that it's going into the end zone. It's almost impossible to control it. So there's more chances you would take with a field goal a little bit further back, knowing there's really no difference in the outcome with the way he's kicking."