'Tough and fast' Luke Wysong helping Arizona reach high standard in new offense

When Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege met with the UA receivers for the first time this spring, he challenged them, because his offense “puts a lot of premium on receiver play,” he said.

Throughout his playing and coaching experience, the 36-year-old has seen the positives and negatives of receivers. For Arizona to achieve its goals offensively, “that receiver play has to be executed at a high level,” Doege said.

“That receiver group, we need them to be really good for us to go and they know that because we talk about it every day,” Doege said.

Arizona’s receivers are “trying to embrace that challenge and live up to (Doege’s) expectations,” said New Mexico transfer slot receiver Luke Wysong.

“He lets us know daily about the expectations for not only us, but the running backs, the quarterbacks, the (offensive line), the tight ends, everybody and just the offense as a whole,” said Wysong.

Wysong is one of several newcomers at receiver this season for Arizona, along with transfers Kris Hutson (Washington State), Tre Spivey (Kansas State) and Javin Whatley (Chattanooga). Wysong, Hutson and Whatley, along with returner Jeremiah Patterson, among others, are expected to be some of Arizona’s top contributors at slot receiver.

Doege said Arizona is still “trying to figure out who can do what and we’re still working through that process” this spring, but noted “all of them bring something unique and different — from a skillset level — to the table.”

“It’s going to be fun to figure out what they can do and what they’re really, really good at and what they struggle with, then put them in positions to have success,” said Arizona’s offensive coordinator.

The Wildcats “have a lot of speed (and) it’s going to be fun to get creative and find different matchups for guys like Whatley, Hutson,” Doege said.

Chris Hunter “has made some plays” and “is continuing to progress and he does some really, really special things in practice,” added Doege, who also noted Spivey and Phoenix-area product Brandon Phelps as rising big-bodied receivers this spring.

“Whatley’s speed is going to be a problem and he’s made some big-time plays,” Doege said. “Kris Hutson is super natural and fluid and does a lot of good things. I love Phelps’ size and I think he’s starting to become his own person and feel confident in what he’s doing.”

The “tough and fast” Wysong had eight catches for 129 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats in the season opener last year. Wysong finished his New Mexico career with 134 catches for 1,465 yards and three touchdowns and was named a Second-Team All-Mountain West selection.

“I’ve always been one to enjoy bright lights and the big stage,” Wysong said of his performance against Arizona last August. “I feel like those are the moments that I’ve worked for ever since I was young. Whenever I get to play bigger teams, that’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I was able to go out there and be free and be myself.”

Wysong is “tough as nails, man,” Doege said.

“He’ll go fight you,” Doege added. “He’s kind of our bulldog even though he has a really good skill level.”

The toughness was instilled in him growing up in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a suburb of Albuquerque.

“One thing I’ve had to battle my whole life is being overlooked,” Wysong said. “I’m not the tallest or I’m not from a state where football is really big and that’s something that weighs heavy on my heart and means a lot to me. Being able to find ways to separate myself is something I’ve always strived to do.”

In the early stages of installing Arizona’s up-tempo offense, Doege is prioritizing the UA’s “process over outcome operation.”

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“I’m not necessarily looking for them to execute at an extremely high level right now,” Doege said. “I’m looking for them to practice by the standard we expect. I am encouraged by the guys early. ... Just really excited about the group and where they can go.

“Obviously, we’re not there yet, but I believe in the group and I believe in who’s leading them. By the end of this, we’ll have a position group of wideouts that we can use as a weapon.”

Quarterbacks ‘put some flavor’ on offense

Despite Arizona’s offense starting from scratch this spring, Doege has “been really impressed with our quarterbacks, because I’ve probably installed more than I’ve ever installed in my first four days here.”

Arizona starting quarterback Noah Fifita and Wisconsin transfer and potential backup Braedyn Locke are “so cerebral, they’re professionals, extremely intelligent,” said Doege.

“I’ve been around quarterbacks that are intelligent, but the most impressive thing with both of those guys, is they can process it,” Doege said. “For the most part, when we go out on the field, they’re executing at a high level. There’s some stuff they’re going to make a mistake on just because it’s new and it’s fresh and it could be a look we weren’t expecting and they make the wrong decision or whatever it may be.”

Added Doege: “Those two guys have allowed us to really put some flavor on what we’re doing so far and I feel like we’re ahead of the curve from that standpoint.”

Behind Fifita and Locke is freshman quarterback and early enrollee Sawyer Anderson, who is the Dallas-Fort Worth record-holder for career passing yards with 14,674 yards, 158 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in four seasons at Parish Episcopal High School.

Anderson committed to Purdue when Doege was a tight ends coach for the Boilermakers under the “biggest mentor I’ve ever had” in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.

The 5-11, 176-pound Anderson is “very, very twitchy (and) has the ability to run,” Doege said.

“The ball comes out of his hands extremely fast and quick, and he can process (information) very quickly,” Doege said. “I’ve been very impressed with how well he’s picked up this offense, because of the speed of install we’re going at because of Noah and Brayden, and he is right there. For a freshman to pick it up like that and be able to speak it back to me in a meeting or go out and execute a play, ... it’s been very impressive.

“I’m excited about Sawyer. He has a long way to go still. He’s still learning how to play the position, because transitioning from high school to college at the D1 level, especially in the Big 12, there’s so much more demand to the position. I think he’s learning as we go.”

Extra points

— Arizona free safety Genesis Smith, playing “the bear” position in Arizona’s defense, had multiple tackles for loss in a team period near the end of practice on Tuesday. Redshirt freshman linebacker Jabari Mann had a tipped pass in the backfield, and redshirt freshman edge rusher Eduwa Okundaye recorded a sack.

— Arizona’s first offensive line unit on Tuesday was Texas Tech transfer left tackle Ty Buchanan, Georgia Tech transfer left guard Jordan Brown, center Grayson Stovall, right guard Alexander Doost and Michigan transfer right tackle Tristan Bounds, who also took reps at left tackle but performed better on the right side.

— Arizona’s first defensive line group was defensive end Tre Smith, defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea, UT Martin transfer defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight and edge rusher Dominic Lolesio.

— Former Arizona kicker Tyler Loop attended practice on Tuesday. Former UA offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea was spotted at the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility before a workout. The NFL Draft is next month.

— Arizona hosted six recruits from Utah on Tuesday, including 2027 quarterback Kamden Lopati, a 6-2, 205-pounder from Salt Lake City. Lopati has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Iowa State, Oregon, Oklahoma State and Utah. Lopati’s teammate at West High School, offensive lineman Miller Carter, was also in attendance. The 6-3, 260-pound 2026 offensive lineman has offers from ASU, Arkansas, Iowa State and San Diego State.

Photos: Arizona begins Week 2 of spring football practices