A week after most of Arizona’s starting defensive backs entered the transfer portal, the Wildcats signed much-needed pieces for the secondary — and both of them started their college careers playing for UA head coach Brent Brennan.
Arizona signed San Jose State transfer safety Michael Dansby and cornerback Jay’Vion Cole, who are the latest Spartans to reunite with Brennan. Cole transferred to Texas this season, but re-entered the transfer portal.
Dansby and Cole signed with Arizona following the departures of multi-year starters in cornerback Tacario Davis, safeties Dalton Johnson and Gunner Maldonado and nickel backs Treydan Stukes and Genesis Smith. Cornerbacks Emmanuel Karnley and Jai-ayviauynn Celestine also entered the transfer portal since it opened last Monday.
Dansby, a 6-foot, 179-pound Oakland native and McClymonds High School graduate, signed with San Jose State in 2022 to play for Brennan and current Arizona cornerbacks coach Chip Viney.
San Jose State defensive back Michael Dansby, left, tackles UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in San Jose, Calif.
Dansby ended his three-year career at SJSU with 68 career tackles, 14 pass deflections, five interceptions and a touchdown.
Cole, who also played at McClymonds in the Bay Area, has 54 tackles, 14 pass deflections and eight interceptions in three seasons at Cal Poly, San Jose State and Texas.
Texas defensive back Jay’Vion Cole plays during the second half of an NCAA football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 52-0.
The Wildcats have added several former Spartans since the hiring of Brennan, including running back Quali Conley, who was Arizona’s leading rusher, and tight end Sam Olson, defensive end Tre Smith and offensive lineman Ryan Stewart.
Arizona now has four additions in the transfer portal between Dansby, New Mexico wide receiver Luke Wysong and Northwestern State defensive end Chancellor Owens.
