Not only did Arizona have three NFL Draft picks this year, but the Wildcats had four players sign with teams as undrafted free agents, including one of the top running backs in program history.Β
After left tackle Jordan Morgan (first round), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (fourth round) and tight end Tanner McLachlan (sixth round) were selected β three is the most UA players drafted in one class in a decade β running back Michael Wiley (Washington Commanders), defensive end Taylor Upshaw (Carolina Panthers), defensive tackle Tyler Manoa (Minnesota Vikings) and running back DJ Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) each signed with teams as undrafted free agents.
Wiley, who participated at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, was a projected Day 3 prospect before he went undrafted.Β
A member of Arizonaβs 2019 recruiting class and three-year starter, Wiley is the Wildcatsβ all-time receiving leader (1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns) for a running back. He also finished his UA career with 1,712 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.Β
Wiley scored eight touchdowns in the Wildcats' annual Territorial Cup matchup with rival ASU over his five-year career; he was named the Territorial Cup MVP in 2022 for his 214-yard, three-touchdown performance. Wiley scored the only touchdown in Arizona's 70-7 loss to Arizona State in the pandemic-influenced 2020 season.
Wiley scored a touchdown in the final five games of the 2021 season, then scored in seven of 11 appearances in '22; he scored in four contests this past season, though he missed three games with an ankle injury.
The 6-0, 225-pound Williams transferred to Arizona in 2022 after stints at Florida State and Auburn, to become a key part of the Wildcats' rotation of running backs. Williams scored the game-sealing touchdown late in the fourth quarter of UA's Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma.Β
Upshaw and Manoa joined Arizona as graduate transfers and bolstered the Wildcats' defensive line that had an essential role in turning around the UA defense in 2023. In his lone season at Arizona, Upshaw had 8.5 sacks, the most by a Wildcat since 2017. The 6-5, 315-pound Manoa started 12 games for the Wildcats and recorded 28 tackles as an interior defensive lineman next to former UA nose tackle Bill Norton.
Former Arizona defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace, one of three Wildcats to transfer to USC along with wide receiver Dorian Singer and defensive tackle Kyon Barrs after the 2022 season, signed an undrafted free agent deal with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.Β
