Arizona safety Isaiah Taylor, linebacker Ammon Allen enter NCAA transfer portal

Two Arizona defensive players announced Friday that they will enter the NCAA transfer portal, bringing the Wildcats’ total number of departures to three.

Safety Isaiah Taylor and linebacker Ammon Allen revealed their intentions via social media.

Taylor came to Arizona late in the 2021 recruiting cycle, one of two high school players Jedd Fisch was able to add after taking the UA job in late December 2020. The other, receiver Anthony Simpson, transferred to UMass last offseason.

Taylor battled for a starting spot at safety but ended up playing only 146 defensive snaps this season as Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson emerged as core defenders.

Taylor appeared in 24 games over three season, recording 56 tackles and one interception. The pick came in the waning moments of Arizona’s three-point victory in the 2022 Territorial Cup.

Taylor is from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, who’s an assistant coach at the University of Miami.

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Allen came to the UA from Highland High School in Gilbert as a walk-on safety. He added weight, became a linebacker and received a scholarship.

Allen played exclusively on special teams this season, logging 64 snaps in 11 games. He appeared in 26 games over three seasons, totaling three tackles.

Taylor and Allen join tailback Stevie Rocker Jr. (Canyon del Oro High) on Arizona’s departure list. The first portal window officially opens Monday.

Fisch said he doesn’t expect a large number of players to transfer but did allow for the possibility of a handful of surprises.

Arizona will find out which bowl game it’s playing in on Sunday. The Wildcats might have to activate younger players at certain position if numbers are low because of transfers and/or injuries.