Arizona spring football notes, practice 4: Genesis Smith leads defense with TFLs

Still in shells (helmets and shoulder pads), Arizona kicked off its second week of spring practice on Tuesday. 

Here are notes and takeaways from Arizona's fourth practice this spring: 

* 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. 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 left tackle Ty Buchanan, left guard Jordan Brown, center Grayson Stovall, right guard Alexander Doost and 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. 

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* Chattanooga transfer receiver Javin Whatley had one of his best practices of the spring and recorded catches in multiple levels of the defense. Whatley has the speed to take the top off defenses and provide the Wildcats a deep threat.

* Texas State transfer Ismail Mahdi is arguably Arizona's fastest running back and he's also a patient runner and has been impressive moving between the tackles. Mahdi has also been effective in the passing game. 

* Arizona worked on its field goal unit. Kickers Michael Salgado-Medina and Cash Peterman swapped reps and didn't attempt a field goal longer than 35 yards. 

* 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. Both are likely to be drafted 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