It’s not every year a college football team gets blessed with a player like Martell Irby, but new Arizona defensive back Owen Goss is trending toward Irby’s on-the-field role in the UA defense.
Irby, who changed positions from running back to defensive back and endured injuries that took a toll on his mental health at UCLA, came out of retirement from football last year to join the Wildcats as a walk-on.
Irby worked as a security guard to make ends meet in the first stages of living in Tucson. Irby discovered his love for football again, became a team captain and was placed on scholarship. It was clear to those within the program that Irby would do anything to help the Wildcats — be it starring on special teams, playing the UA’s seven-defensive back “dollar” package or playing “Mike” linebacker for a few games; he starred in that latter role in Arizona’s Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma, finishing with seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble — in addition to a compelling postgame interview on ESPN.
Arizona defensive back Owen Goss (27) tackles wide receiver Reymello Murphy as he jumps for the ball during a fall preseason practice at the Dick Tomey practice fields, Aug. 7, 2024.
Goss’ path to Arizona may not have been as winding as what Irby experienced; but the Colgate transfer has made a similarly immediate impact on the Wildcats’ defensive secondary.
“Martell was one-of-one, we all know that,” said Arizona “Star” defensive back Treydan Stukes. “But O.G. brings the juice, for sure.”
Goss, who had three pass breakups and a forced fumble during the Wildcats’ eighth training camp practice on Friday at Arizona Stadium, is “a guy who’s physical and flies around,” said senior safety Gunner Maldonado.
“He plays with reckless abandon,” Maldonado said. “That’s a guy I see (in the Irby role). He’s super athletic, loves football, like Martell did. Getting him in our system, making him a good fit, he’s a great addition.”
In the last three seasons, the 6-foot, 202-pound Goss is a Hinsdale, Illinois, native, western suburb of Chicago, “a community that’s big on sports, big on football.” Goss has three brothers — one twin, Guyhenry Goss, who is playing at Northwest Missouri State, but recently suffered a “pretty gruesome injury, so he’s done.”
Arizona wide receiver Reymello Murphy, right, starts his route against defensive back Owen Goss during a fall preseason practice at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields on Aug. 7.
Owen Goss totaled 115 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups for Colgate, an FCS school in New York. The All-Patriot League selection also blocked three field goals in 2023, which bodes well for a potential significant role in Arizona’s special teams units. Goss’ three blocked kicks against Bucknell earned him FCS Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Goss was also team captain for Colgate in his last season with the Raiders.
Goss was first contacted by Arizona in May after Colgate’s spring football period. Arizona general manager Gaizka Crowley “told me the situation here,” and after conversations with defensive coordinator Duane Akina and “Stars” coach Brett Arce, “I thought it was in my best interest to come to Arizona,” Goss said.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said the Wildcats “were really excited that (Goss) was interested in joining us.”
“He was obviously a really good player at Colgate,” said Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. “It’s hard to see, because we haven’t done a bunch of live stuff, but he’s definitely a physical football player and he’s joining a really talented secondary, which I think is awesome, because all of those guys are challenging each other, pushing each other.
Arizona defensive back Owen Goss, right, takes down wide receiver Jaden Clark while he jumps for the ball during a fall preseason practice last week.
“He’s a super hard worker and everyone likes being around him. He’s a great personality. ... Everyone on the team likes Owen Goss, so it’s been a great addition so far.”
Goss is taking his talents from the 10,000-seat Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, New York, to the Power 4 stage at Arizona Stadium. Besides a larger stadium and warmer weather, the biggest disparity between Colgate and Arizona is “bigger athletes and everyone is a lot lengthier,” Goss said.
“That’s the biggest thing that jumped out at me is the length, speed as well,” Goss said. “Not individual players speed-wise, but the speed of the game and how everything hits. ... Obviously the trenches are different. Big Jonah (Savaiinaea), he’s huge. He’s a big dude! You don’t really see it that much. We had a few of them, but not as much here.”
When Goss steps in at “Star” defensive back, he “plays with an incredible motor, too, which would be similar to Irby’s story,” said Akina, who coached Irby last season.
“The first thing I tell all incomers, ‘The first thing you gotta do is gain the respect of the locker room; job one. You do that by being a great teammate and doing the things we ask for. We’re built on a defense that’s going to play hard, we’re going to be physical, we’re going to know our jobs and we’re going to be able to hunt plays,’” Akina said.
“Owen has done a great job with that. Incredible motor, has shown some toughness and he’s already gained the respect of his teammates by being tough, physically and mentally.”
Arizona defensive back Owen Goss (27) takes down wide receiver Jaden Clark (19) while he jumps for the ball during a fall preseason practice at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields on Wednesday.
With four returning starters in the secondary, along with rising sophomore Genesis Smith and former Louisville cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew mixed in, Goss likely won’t have a starting role. But the man with the initials “O.G.” will have a similar do-anything-for-anyone-at-anytime role as Irby.
“I knew coming in here, there was a ton of experience in the defensive back room. ... They’re all great players,” Goss said. “One, I would say I can compete with them and see where I stack. Obviously, the dollar package is another big thing where I know I’m going to get on the field and showcase my skills. Like I said, being around an elite group of defensive backs makes you better.”
In his brief time at Arizona, Goss “has brought older, senior leadership to that room,” said “Stars” coach Brett Arce.
“Not that we need a ton of that because we have some good ones,” Arce said. “But he’s just another positive example for these young guys. He works really hard. Position versatility, does a lot of different things. ... He showed how physically ready he was and that this isn’t a big jump for him.
“There’s good players at all levels, and I’m glad we got him on our team.”
