At least three-fifths of Arizona's starting secondary will be returning next season.
Safety Gunner Maldonado — the Defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl — announced on social media Saturday that he'll be returning to the team alongside fellow defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson.
Maldonado's post included a video clip of Leonardo DiCaprio's character's famed "I'm not leaving" speech from "The Wolf of Wall Street."
The decision by Maldonado, Stukes and Johnson to stick around is a critical one for the Wildcats as several players have entered the transfer portal since Jedd Fisch left for Washington and Brent Brennan was hired to replace him.
The portal entrants include starting cornerback Ephesians Prysock and another defensive back in Jordan Shaw, who had transferred to Arizona from Indiana. The Wildcats' other starting corner, Tacario Davis, is planning to enter the portal as well, per reports.
Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson (43) and Treydan Stukes (2) celebrate a stop of NAU on downs during the first half of the Wildcats’ 2023 season-opening win over the Lumberjacks on Sept. 2 in Tucson.
Maldonado was among Arizona's most improved players last season, finishing with a career-high 81 tackles, plus three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Johnson, also a safety, had a career-high 86 stops and four forced fumbles — including the one that Maldonado returned 87 yards for a touchdown to help Arizona rally past Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Stukes, playing the nickel position, had 55 tackles and nine pass breakups. Both were career-best marks.
New Arizona football coach Brent Brennan discusses his initial impressions of QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan (Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star)
