Before Arizona: Member of the 10-3 Tigers who defeated Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl... Appeared in 11 games on the season, earning a start against SMU... Totaled 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry on the year... Made two tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack at Arkansas State... Posted two tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks at UAB... Also had two stops against South Florida and one quarterback hurry in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Iowa State.
Honors & Awards
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2022: College Sports Communicators Academic All District
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Honor Roll
2023: Started all 13 games at center on the offensive line... Has started 32 games over four seasons with the Wildcats... Helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Helped the Wildcats finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
2022: Started all 12 games at center on the offensive line… Has started 19 games over three seasons with the Wildcats… Helped make time for the Wildcats sixth-ranked passing offense and 21st ranked total offense, averaging 30.8 points per game... Did not allow a sack in 844 total snaps on offense, including 553 passing snaps (14th in the nation) and 291 rushing snaps… Held a 98.8 efficiency rating and committed only two penalties all season in 2022… All 844 snaps came during 12 games played at center… The Wildcats posted a four-win improvement from 2021 (1-11) to 2022 (5-7) to mark the second-largest win improvement in program history.
2021: Played in all 12 games and started seven games as Arizona’s top reserve offensive lineman ... Saw action at center and the two guard positions … Started seven of the last eight games of the season.
2020: Appeared in three of Arizona’s five games as a true freshman in the COVID-19 shortened season. Helped pave the way for big rushing games by Wildcat backs that included 268 yards versus Colorado (12-5-2020).
High School: Lettered four years in football at Eureka Senior High School in Missouri…Earned three All-Conference selections, two All-District nods, and one second team All-State selection for his work along the offensive line…Holds school record for most career starts, with 48…Also lettered in baseball twice and once in wrestling.
Personal: Joshua Andrew Baker…Son of George and Beverly Baker…One older brother, Matt, and one older sister, Lauren…Majoring in Criminal Justice Studies…Chose Arizona because, “It was the right fit for me, it felt like home.”
High School: A three-star athlete that played running back and linebacker at Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California… Received offers from San Diego State, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida State, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisville, Nevada, and Washington. Made 59 total tackles during senior season in 2023, also rushed for 185 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns… Team Captain… Ranked 52nd in California and the 47th athlete overall.
“There were a lot of reasons why I chose Arizona,” Bey said. “The biggest thing was the coaching staff and how well I connected with everyone. It wasn’t just one or two coaches, but it was several guys on the staff that I talked with. Coach (Jedd) Fisch is a great guy and a great coach, and I really see him turning things around and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
2023: Appeared in all 13 games with two starts at tight end during his second season with the program... Made three receptions for 34 total yards with a long reception of 17 yards while averaging 11.3 yards per catch... Made a career-long 17-yard reception in the season-opener against Northern Arizona on Sept. 2 ... Caught one pass for six yards against UCLA on Nov. 4... Made one reception for 11 yards against Utah on Nov. 11.
2022: Appeared in nine games with one start… Caught three passes for 10 yards against Oregon (10/8).
High School: Attended Servite High School in California…Teammates with fellow Arizona signees QB Noah Fifita, WR Tetairoa McMillan, and LB Jacob Manu…Four-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports…Nationally ranked as the No. 8 tight end in his class by 247Sports…Participated in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl…Logged time in 13 varsity games at Servite and picked up 36 receptions for 660 yards and seven touchdowns…As a senior, went for 34 catches, 605 yards, and six scores…Also played basketball and ran track during prep career.
Personal: Keyan Chester Burnett…Son of Chester and Jeena Burnett…One brother, Gage…One sister, Memphis… Father, Chester, was a linebacker at Arizona 1995-97 and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1998 NFL Draft... Uncle, Emmett Mosley, played football at Notre Dame…Grandfather, J.D. Burnett, played professional baseball…Chose Arizona because, “Arizona has always meant something to my family. In addition to that, the opportunities here are second to none. The character of the program is top notch, and I believe I’ll be developed into the best version of myself.”
2023: Appeared in all 13 games on defense and special teams during his first season with the Wildcats... Made six total tackles (2 solo, 4 assists) at linebacker... Posted season-best two tackles on two separate occasions; 1st against Northern Arizona (1 solo, 1 assist) on Sept. 9; 2nd vs. UTEP (2 assists) on Sept. 16... Made one tackle in each of the last two games to end the regular season against Utah (1 solo) and at Arizona State (1 assist)... Finished with one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup, both recorded against Arizona State on Nov. 25.
High School: A dual threat athlete who played outside linebacker and tight end at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. … Appeared in 31 games on varsity, making 181 total tackles (94 solo, 87 assists), averaging 5.8 tacklers per game and notching 18.0 tackles for loss… Recorded 16.0 sacks for loss of 32 yards… Averaged 0.5 sacks per game and forced 26 quarterback hurries… Deflected four passes and caused one fumble… In limited action on offense, caught one pass for nine yards, a touchdown… A three-star prospect per 247Sports with offers from Kansas State, San Diego State, Air Force, Idaho, Idaho State, and New Mexico State… The 24th ranked linebacker in Arizona and 132nd overall linebacker prospect.
2023: Appeared in nine games on special teams and defensive back... Made three total tackles (1 solo, 2 assists)... Returned three kicks for 56 yards with a long of 20 yards after spending much of the season at kick returner... Made his first-career tackle (1 solo) against Northern Arizona on Sept. 2... Posted an assisted tackle on Oct. 14 at Washington State and an assisted tackle on Nov. 18 against Utah.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Miami Palmetto High School in Florida…Three-star recruit by 247Sports…Picked up 50 tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups as a senior in 2021…Ultra-utility player during prep career, contributing time at cornerback, safety, wildcat quarterback, wide receiver, and running back.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Appeared in all 13 games on special teams during the 2023 season... Did not record a stat.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
2021: Did not see any action in the 2021 season.
High School: Was named second-team All-Region in the 6A division … Was named the Desert Vista Varsity Football Character Award winner in 2019 and 2020.
Personal: The son of Ricardo and Shannon Clark … Has one brother, Christian … His father Ricardo played football at Marshall … His uncle Kenny Felder played football and baseball at Florida State and was a first-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers … His great uncle Walter Lewis was the first African American quarterback at Alabama.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Rated a three-star prospect out of Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona... Held offers from New Mexico, Idaho State, Navy, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Northern Iowa, St. Thomas, Utah Tech, and Weber State... Rated the 43rd edge position player in the state of Arizona...
Before Arizona: In 2023 with San Jose State, rushing for 842 yards (7th in MW) and nine rushing touchdowns (6th in MW)… Recorded a career-high 6.4 yards per carry… Rushed for a touchdown in the EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl against Coastal Carolina (12/23)… 13 carries for 155 yards and one touchdown against SDSU (11/18)… 15 carries for 98 yards against No. 25 Fresno St. (11/11)… 19 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown at Hawai'i (10/28)… Ran for 79 yards and tied season-high two touchdowns vs. Utah State (10/21)… Season-high 124 rushing yards with career-best rush of 68 yards and a TD at UNM (10/14)… Had rushing touchdown, plus caught two passes for 25 yards at Boise State (10/07) … Ran for 62 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns vs. Cal Poly (9/9/23) … Six carries for 108 yards including a career-high 57-yard run at No. 6 USC (8/26/23) … In 2022 with Utah Tech, Played in all 11 games and finished with 1095 yards on the ground on 186 carries with eight rushing touchdowns… Rushed for more than 100 yards in six of the 11 games… Ran for a career-high 215 yards on 25 carries against Tarleton State (Nov. 12)… Racked up three rushing touchdowns in a single game in a win over Chadron State (Sept. 10)… Finished the year with 12 receptions for 89 yards… In 2021 with Utah Tech, Played in all 11 games and finished with 263 yards on the ground on 69 carries with one rushing touchdown… Ran for a season-high 67 yards and scored his lone rushing touchdown in the win vs. Fort Lewis (Nov. 13)… Racked up 66 yards on seven carries vs. Tarleton State (Oct. 16)… Caught a TD pass and tallied 64 all-purpose yards at UC Davis (Sept. 18)… Finished the year with 24 receptions for 151 yards… In the Spring of 2021 at Utah Tech, started in all five games and was the Trailblazers’ feature back, carrying the ball 83 times for an even 400 net yards and four touchdowns… First collegiate touchdown on DSU’s first FCS scoring drive at Tarleton (Feb. 27) … Scored two touchdowns, including a 43-yard run and a 75-yard catch-and-run at New Mexico State (March 7)… Racked up 97 all-purpose yards with a touchdown at Kennesaw State (March 20), and just missed his first collegiate 100-yard game with 98 yards on 22 carries at home vs. Tarleton (March 13)… Caught 14 balls out of the backfield for 207 yards and two receiving touchdowns overall.
High School: Was a two-time varsity letter winner at Central HS… Led the All-Valley league in rushing in back-to-back seasons and was a two-time first team all-league ad all-state performer… Also attended Edison HS.
Personal: Born in Fresno, California … Parents are Ghanges and Runisha Conley .... His siblings are Imari, Malik, Iman, Akeli, Quali and Nyeli.
Awards & Honors
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Played at Sandra Day O’Conner High School in Glendale, Ariz... On the field, he’s regarded as a leader... ILB and RB from Phoenix Arizona... 3 year Varsity Starter, 350 career tackles... Senior season stats: 119 total tackles, 16 TFLs, 2021 SW Region Player of the Year, 2020 and 2021 Ed Doherty Nominee, 2020 and 2021 ALL FEVER TEAM, 2020 and 2021 All 6A Conference... 2021 National Football Foundation H.A.T. award recipient.... 4.0 GPA 1st team AZ 360 All-Academic Team... Received offers from Georgetown, Marist, Morgan State, and Southwest Minnesota State out of high school.
Before Arizona: In 2023 with New Mexico, led New Mexico with one of the great seasons ever by a Lobo running back, rushing for 1,190 yards in 12 games on 189 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns … Named Honorable Mention All-America by College Football News … Named Second Team All-Mountain West … Added seven receptions for 72 yards and a receiving touchdown … 1,190 rushing yards is the seventh most in UNM history, 17 rushing touchdowns was third all-time, 18 overall touchdowns was tied for second and 108 points were fourth on the UNM single-season scoring chart … Finished season with greatest back-to-back games ever by a Lobo running back, rushing for 209 yards and two touchdowns against Fresno State and then 233 yards and another touchdown against Utah State … Became first Lobo to ever have two 200-yard rushing games in the same season, and was the first to ever have back-to-back 200-yard games … Four 100-yard rushing games, including 162 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns against Tennessee Tech and 103 yards on 15 carries against Wyoming … Scored a touchdown in 11 of UNM’s 12 games … Broke the 80-yard mark rushing twice, rushing for 83 yards against New Mexico State and 86 against UNLV … 114 all-purpose yardage against NMSU and season-long 31-yard reception… Two-career 200-plus-yard rushing games, rushed for a career-high 233 yards for one touchdown on 31 carries against Utah State (11/24/23)... 209 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries at Fresno State (11/18/23)... Four career 100-yard games, rushed for 162 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns against Tennessee Tech (9/9/23), 103 yards on 15 carries against Wyoming (9/30/23)... 140 yards on 17 carries last year against Prairie View A&M and 106 yards on 14 carries against Texas Southern in 2021 … 29 career receptions for 335 yards and a touchdown... Has rushed for 2,609 yards and 30 touchdowns combined between Alabama State (4 seasons) and New Mexico (1 season)... Averages 4.5 yards per carry with a long of 55 yards... Made 40 receptions for 429 yards and two receiving touchdowns in career... At Alabama State, rushed for 1,239 yards and one touchdown over 36 games and averaged 3.5 yards per carry.
Before Arizona: Played in seven games with five starts as a true freshman at Northern Arizona... Made his debut at Arizona and earned his first start against Montana, as NAU went 3-2 in games he started in... Completed 116 of his 168 pass attempts for 1,146 total yards and six passing touchdowns... Threw for over 200 yards in three games with 196 and 183 yards in two others... Owned a passing efficiency of 127.4 and averaged 156.7 yards of total offense per game... Threw two 60 yard completions, one at Sacramento State and the other against Portland State.
Before Arizona:In 2023 with Syracuse, Burlsworth Trophy nominee… Started all 13 games at nose tackle, finishing with 42 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks… Made one tackle in the season opener against Colgate (9/2) ... Notched his first collegiate sack, part of a 1.5 TFL effort, against Western Michigan (9/9) ... Posted his second-straight game with a sack at Purdue (9/16) ... Had four tackles against Army (9/23) ... Made a solo stop against Clemson (9/30) ... Had three tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss at North Carolina (10/7) ... Made two tackles and hurried the quarterback once against Florida State (10/14) ... Had six tackles against Boston College (11/3) ... Recovered a fumble and notched three tackles in the win over Pittsburgh (11/11) ... Posted six tackles at Georgia Tech (11/18) ... Had his first-career multi-sack game against Wake Forest (11/25), finishing with two sacks and four tackles in the win ... Finished the season with a season-high seven tackles and a sack in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. South Florida (12/21)…In 2022,appeared in all-13 games with 11 starts at nose tackle ... After splitting time with Terry Lockett, who suffered a season-ending injury in week four, Darton played at least 45 snaps at nose tackle in every remaining game ... Had the best season of his collegiate career, posting 54 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries ... Aided a defensive unit that finished the season 14th nationally in passing defense (184.8) and 21st in total defense (328.6) ... Had two tackles in the season-opening win over Louisville (9/3) ... Set career highs with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss against Purdue (9/17) ... Made four tackles against Wagner (10/1) ... Had six tackles and a tackle for loss against NC State (10/15) ... Tied his career-best effort with seven tackles (including a career best six solo stops) at Clemson (10/22) ... Also notched seven tackles against Notre Dame (10/29) ... Made four tackles and had 1.5 tackles for loss vs. Florida State (11/12) ... Made four tackles at Wake Forest (11/19) ... Tallied four tackles at Boston College (11/26) ... Finished the season with four tackles (three solo) at the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota (12/29) ... Named the Ted Dailey Award recipient as the defense’s most improved player ... Member of the ACC Honor Roll ... Member of the SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the spring semester…In 2021,appeared in all-12 games along the defensive line and on the kickoff return unit ... Made nine tackles, including a pair of solo stops ... Had one solo tackle in the season opener (9/4) ... Had back-to-back games with assisted tackles against Rutgers (9/11) and UAlbany (9/18) ... Made one tackle at Florida State (10/2) ... Had a solo tackle vs. Clemson (10/15) ... Made one tackle against Boston College (10/30) ... Had one tackle against NC State (11/20) ... Had a career-high two tackles against Pittsburgh (11/27)….In 2020,appeared in six games as a reserve defensive lineman … Made his collegiate debut against Clemson (10/24) … Had his first two collegiate tackles against Wake Forest (10/31) … Made two tackles at Louisville (11/20) … Had a solo tackle at Notre Dame (12/5)…. In 2019 with Syracuse, did not appear in any games… Redshirt.
High School:Defensive tackle and fullback for four seasons, including his last two at Worcester Academy for head coach Tony Johnson ... Spent his first two prep seasons at St. Peter-Marian High School ... 2018 New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Lineman of the Year and named to the Class A All-NEPSAC Football Team ... 2018 CML Division co-Defensive Player of the Year ... Recorded 72 tackles and 10.5 sacks as a senior captain for the Hilltoppers ... Two-time Worcester Academy MVP ... Selected to play in the 2015 DMAXX All-American Game as a freshman at St. Peter-Marian.
Personal:Kevon Cheyne Darton ... Born on November 4, 1999 in Massachusetts ... Son of Brigitte and Douglas Darton ... Two brothers ... Pursuing master’s degree in information studies.
Honors & Awards
- 2023: AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 (12/7)
- 2023: All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (12/5)
2023: Appeared in all 13 games with 11 starts during second season with Arizona... Led the conference with 15 pass breakups and 16 passes defended... Named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 for the first time in collegiate career... Finished with career-high 25 total tackles (18 solo, 14 assists) including 0.5 tackles for loss... Made one interception at Washington State on Oct. 14... Posted season-high three pass breakups against Oregon State on Oct. 28... Recorded season-high four tackles twice; 1st vs. Washington (2 solo, 2 assists) on Sept. 30; 2nd vs. Oregon State (4 solo) on Oct. 28... Moved his career tackle total to 32 over 18 games played with Arizona.
2022: Appeared in five games at defensive back in first season with Arizona… Made seven total tackles (5 solo, 2 assists) with one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery… Made a season-high three tackles against Arizona State (11/25) helping the Wildcats to a 38-35 win in the Territorial Cup… Recovered the first fumble of his career against Washington State on 11/19… Posted his first pass breakup at UCLA on 11/12.
High School: A three-star prospect out of Milikan High School in Long Beach, Calif... Received offers from Arizona State and Kansas... Finished sophomore campaign with 19 tackles, one interception (a pick six), and a fumble recovery... Appeared on varsity for two seasons and made 45 solo tackles, 29 assists, and 74 total tackles with 4.1 tackles/game... A two-way athlete that played wide out, making 26 receptions for 463 yards... Averaged 17.8 yards per catch with a long of 45 yards and six total touchdowns.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Ore. ... Made 73 total tackles (18 solo, 55 assists) during senior season on varsity... Posted 6.1 tackles per game and 12.5 tackles for loss... A three-star prospect per 247Sports with offers from Arizona State, Colorado, and Nevada... Recruited defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen... Began high school career at Wilsonville High School and finished career at Lakeridge HS... Rated the third-best prospect in Oregon and 110 edge rusher in the nation.
Prior to Arizona: A transfer from Northwestern who joined the Wildcats in the Spring of 2024... Did not make an appearance at Northwestern during the 2023 season... At Mountain Ridge High School in Phoenix, Ariz., Four-year varsity letter-winner at Mountain Ridge High School... Earned First Team All-State and All-Region honors following his senior season in 2022. Also earned Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore... Ranked as No. 95 interior offensive lineman in the nation and No. 18 overall recruit in the state of Arizona, per 247 Sports Class of 2023 rankings.
High School: Prepped at Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs Colorado... #2 prospect out of Colorado and #18 QB prospects nationally... Made 2nd Team All-State in his Junior and Senior season... Accumulated 10,285 yards passing with 116 passing TDs across 4 varsity seasons... As a Senior, threw for 3,783 yards with 49 TDs and a QBR of 138.9 in 12 games.... In 2021, led Vista Ridge to a 7-4 record and a Colorado 4A second-round playoff appearance as a junior... Passed for 2,765 yards, 30 touchdowns and completed 60.6 percent of his passes (206-for-340)... A four-star quarterback (247Sports) who received offers from California, Colorado, Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Oregon State, and Wisconsin... Recruited by passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty.... Committed to Arizona on Feb. 22.
Awards & Honors
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Made one appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl during the 2023 season... Did not recorda stat.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Made 127 total tackles over three seasons with Chandler High School... Recorded 53 solo and 74 assists with 5.5 tackles per game and 8.5 tackles for loss... Posted three sacks during his three seasons in high school... Made one interception and 10 pass deflections with one fumble recovery and four forced fumbles.
Personal: Son of James and Tina... Has one brother named Shaun... His father, James, played defensive back at Arizona State... “I chose Arizona because of the love and dedication that the coaches show towards the game of football. Arizona gave me an opportunity when a lot of other schools didn’t. Arizona was the clear school for me and the one that will give me the most opportunities for my future.”
Before Arizona:A three-star prospect (per 247Sports) … Rated the 5th-best junior college linebacker in the nation and 11th-best junior college linebacker in California, and 65th best juco prospect in the nation… In one season at College of San Mateo, posted 66.0 total tackles (35 solo, 31 assists), with 10.5 sacks, and 18.5 tackles for loss… Recovered one fumble and broke up three passes… Appeared in 13 games during his only season with the Bulldogs… Made a career-high 12.0 tackles (6 solo, 6 assists) at Butte College on Sept. 30… Posted 2.0 sacks for loss of 13 yards and 3.0 tackles for a loss of 15 yards, and one pass breakup… Ended season with 14.0 tackles (5 solo, 9 assist) in the last two games against American River (12/2) and at Riverside (12/9)… Made season-high two sacks in three separate games including at American River (9/23), at Butte (9/30), and against San Francisco (11/11)… Made season-high 4.0 tackles for loss of 16 yards at Laney on Oct. 13.
High School:Appeared in 12 games at linebacker during one season on varsity at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. … Made 21 total tackles (7 solo, 14 assists) with 3.0 tackles for loss… Averaged 1.8 tackles per game…. Hurried the quarterback 10 times… Caused one fumble and recovered one fumble… Made season-high six tackles against Oak Grove (9/3) … Assisted on five tackles against St. Ignatius (9/24) … Posted five total tackles against Bellarmine (10/22)… Helped lead team to 11-1 record including a 7-0 record in league… Finished No. 15 in the state of California.
2023: Did not see any action during 2023 season.
High School: A two-star prospect out Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada... Received offers from Butler, Southern Utah, Dartmouth, and Valparaiso... Commit to the Arizona Wildcats on Jan. 28, 2022.
2023: Did not see any action during 2023 season.
High School: A dual threat athlete who played tight end and defensive end at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, Calif. ... Made 40 receptions for 551 yards and seven touchdowns over 24 games as a tight end on varsity... Made 55 total tackles (38 solo, 17 assists) with 10.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss at defensive end... A member of a 10-1 overall and 4-0 in conference San Pedro High School football team in 2022... Ranked the 90th athlete in California and 70th defensive end... A three-star prospect per 247Sports with offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Air Force, Army, Cal Poly, Fresno State, Grambling State, Montana State, Pennsylvania, Princeton, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Washington State, and Yale... Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year (1/16)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year (12/5)
- 2023: Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Finalist (12/1)
- 2023: Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week (11/25 - Week 13)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (11/25 - Week 13)
- 2023: Manning Award Star of the Week (11/25 - Week 13)
- 2023: Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 (11/25 - Week 13)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (11/6 - Week 10)
- 2023: Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 (11/6 - Week 10)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/28 - Week 9)
- 2023: Manning Award Star of the Week (10/28 - Week 9)
- 2023: Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 (10/28 - Week 9)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/14 - Week 7)
- 2023: Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week (10/7 - Week 6)
- 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/7 - Week 6)
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Honor Roll
2023: Named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after making 12 appearances with nine starts during his first full season of action with the Wildcats... Posted the highest single-season completion percentage (72.4%) in program history, completing 241-of-333 pass attempts for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions... Guided the Wildcats to a seven-game winning streak to conclude the season, tying for the longest single-season winning streak in program history... 2,869 passing yards are the 8th-most in a single-season in program history... 25 touchdown passes tied Jayden de Laura (2022; 25) for 6th in a single season in program history... Guided the passing offense to average 308.3 yards per game which is 4th in a single season in program history... 165.9 pass efficiency rating is the second highest in a single season in program history, trailing only Keith Smith (174.2 in 1998)... Threw a career-high five touchdown passes in two games (1st; 5 vs. USC, 10/7) (2nd; at ASU, 11/25)... Threw for a Territorial Cup and single-game record 527 yards against Arizona State on Nov. 25... Posted career-high five touchdown passes at ASU (11/25)... With 527 passing yards in the Territorial Cup, became the 18th player in program history with 2,000-plus passing yards in a single-season... In the 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl, passed for 354 yards marking the second-most in a bowl game in program history (1st; Matt Scott, 382 yards; New Mexico Bowl, 2012)... Finished 7-2 as the starting QB to clinch a No. 11 ranking in the final AP Poll marking the highest ranking in that poll since 1998... First QB in school history to complete over 70% of their passes... Finished first among freshman in completion percentage (72.4) among FBS quarterbacks... Posted the fifth-most passing yards (2,869), second-most touchdown passes (25), top touchdown percentage (7.5%), second-fewest interceptions (6), third-most completions (241), fourth-most yards per game (239.1), and highest rating (165.9) among freshman quarterbacks in FBS.
2022: Made three appearances at quarterback during his first season with Arizona... Completed 9-of-19 pass attempts for 128 yards and one touchdown... Threw only touchdown of season to high school teammate Tetairoa McMillan at Utah on 11/5.
High School: Prepped at Servite High School in California...Teammates with fellow Arizona signees WR Tetairoa McMillan, TE Keyan Burnett, and LB Jacob Manu...Three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports...Played in 32 varsity games across four seasons and threw for 7,273 yards and 83 touchdowns on 499-for-796 passing...As a senior in 2021 went 206-for-334 through the air for 2,974 yards and 34 scores...Also added 187 career rushing attempts for 685 yards and 22 touchdowns...Participated in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl...Selected as the CalHi State Sophomore of the Year and State Junior of the Year...Holds Servite HS program records in career passing touchdowns, yards, and completions, season passing touchdowns and completions, and single game passing touchdowns and attempts...Also played golf during prep career.
Personal: Noah Malakai Fifita...Son of Les and Winnona Fifita...One brother, Dash...Chose Arizona because, “The love and loyalty from the coaching staff. They wanted me for me, never doubted me, and kept all of their promises.”
2023: Did see any action during 2023 season.
2022: Did not make an appearance with NAU.
High School: Played at Cienega High School... A two-year starter and one-year captain for the Bobcats... Finished his career with 47 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and two passes defended... Bobcats went 2-0 in their shortened season during his senior year... During Flores' junior season, Cienega finished the regular season 8-2 and reached the 5A Conference quarterfinals... Also wrestled at Cienega.
Personal: Born Carlos Jakob Flores on May 12 in Tucson, Ariz.... Son of Carlos... Has one sister, Alyza... Most admires his dad for how hard he works while going above and beyond for others.
Honors & Awards
- 2023: Butkus Award Watch List (8/10)
- 2023: Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
- 2023: Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List (5/4)
2023: Appeared in all 13 games during first season with Arizona... Made career-high 44 total tackles (13 solo, 31 assists) with two tackles for loss and one sack... Finished sixth on the team with 44 total tackles... Broke up two passes and recovered one fumble... Recorded season-high 12 tackles (1 solo, 11 assists) at Mississippi State on Sept. 9... Reached double-digits in tackles once more with 10 tackles (3 solo, 7 assists) against UTEP on Sept. 16... Recorded a tackle in all but one game during the 2023 season... Made 1.0 sack at USC on Oct. 7.
Before Arizona: In 2022, made career-high 35 tackles (14 solo, 21 assists) with 2.5 tackles for loss over 10 games played... Recorded season-high 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assists) against Georgia (9/3) in the season opener... Finished ninth on the team in total tackles... Shined in the 2021 season opener vs. Fresno State before missing the rest of the season due to injury ... Named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after racking up a career-high 14 tackles, including five solo tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and a forced fumble in his first career start ... 14 tackles were the most by a UO freshman since Troy Dye on Sept. 21, 2016 ... Became the first Oregon player since 2007 and just the fourth since 2000 to record at least 14 tackles and force a fumble in the same game ... Eighth player in program history to have at least 14 tackles in a season opener... In 2020 as a freshman, appeared in just one game, recording a solo tackle, before missing the rest of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season due to injury.
High School: Prepped at Upland High School in Upland, Calif... A consensus five-star prospect, top 11 player in the nation, No. 1 inside linebacker and top defensive player in California by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports ... Named the 2019 Butkus Award high school winner and the 2019-20 All-USA High School Football Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today ... Finished No. 6 overall in the 247Sports composite ranking as the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 2 player in California ... No. 8-rated player overall by Rivals and the No. 10 prospect in the ESPN300 ... Named a Prepstar Top 150 Dream Teamer at No. 3 overall ... Named to 2019 first-team MaxPreps high school football All-American Team ... One of four finalists for the All-American Bowl Defensive Player of the Year ... A member of the 2019 SI All-American Defensive Team ... Played in the 2020 All-American Bowl and the 2020 Polynesian Bowl ... Back-to-back CIF Southern Section Division 2 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior ... A 2018 first-team All-California selection as a linebacker by USA Today ... A CalHiSports.com first-team all-state selection as a junior ... Four-year letterman and two-time team captain ... Earned All-CIF honors three consecutive seasons ... Finished career with 434 tackles, 24 sacks, 48 tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles ... 27 career games with double-digit tackles, including nine with 15-or-more tackles and a career-best 21 tackles vs. Mission Viejo as a junior ... As a senior, finished with 123 tackles (75 solo), 10 sacks, 19 TFLs, an interception and five forced fumbles ... Also rushed for 238 yards and five TDs on 23 carries ... Had eight double-digit tackle games in his final season including a season-best 18 vs. La Habra with two TFLs ... Finished with 15 tackles and two TFL vs. Mission Viejo ... Had five TFLs in two separate games during senior season ... As a junior, had a career-best 145 tackles, five sacks, 17 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles ... Finished with three games with 15-plus tackles ... As a sophomore, had 119 tackles, six sacks, nine TFLs and three forced fumbles ... Finished with seven double-digit tackle games including a season-high 16 twice ... High school coach was Darryl Thomas ... Chose Oregon over Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Clemson, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Penn State, Rutgers, San Diego State, San Jose State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Utah, USC, Washington and Washington State.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Appeared in 11 games including the Valero Alamo Bowl 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma during the 2023 season... Helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Paved the way for the Wildcats to finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
2021: Played in the final four games of the season vs. Cal, Utah, Washington State and ASU as a reserve offensive lineman and was a member of the field goal unit. 2020: Did not make an appearance
High School: Prepped at Bethlehem Catholic High School in Saskatoon, Canada...During high school career spent time playing running back, quarterback, linebacker, defensive line, tight end, and offensive line...Also lettered in track and field, where he competed in discus, shot put, and javelin...Owns high school program record in shot put and discus and is two-time city and provincial champion in both events.
Personal: Leif Walter-Quinn Magnuson...Son of Quinn and Kirsten Magnuson...One sister, Annika...Father, Quinn, played college football at Washington State and professionally in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottowa Rough Riders, and Montreal Alouettes...Great uncle, Keith, played professional hockey with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and logged 589 career games...Majoring in Sociology.
Before Arizona: In 2023 with San Jose State, did not see any action.
High School: Played football at Capital Christian High in Sacramento, Calif. (Coach Saul Patu)... In the state rankings, he was 21st in pass yards per game at 268.9 yards per game and tied for 27th with 34 TD passes in 2021... 2021 Sacramento Bee Metro Offensive Player of the Year... Completed 146 of 250 passes with only four interceptions in the 10 games he played... Rushed for 553 yards averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and scored eight touchdowns... Anthony was the Capital Athletic League and his team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior... Team’s “MVP” during the shortened 2021 spring season... Three-sport letterwinner also lettered in basketball and track and field where he was a sprinter and long jumper.
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, New Mexico... Made 12 total tackles (7 solo, 5 assists) averaging 2.0 tackles per game, and 3.0 tackles for loss... Recorded 2.0 sacks for a loss of five yards... An unranked prospect per 247Sports.
Before Arizona: With Colgate (FCS), Games/Starts: 28/28... Colgate Debut: Sept. 4, 2021, at Boston College... First Colgate Start: Sept. 4, 2021, at Boston College... Career Stats: 115 tackles, 88 solo, 2 tackles for loss, 13 pass break-ups, 3 interceptions totaling 63 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, 3 blocked kicks...
In 2023, started 11 games... Team captain... First team All-Patriot League defensive back... Fourth on the team with 58 tackles, ranked third in solo stops with 41... Led Raiders with two interceptions and three blocked kicks, had four passes defended and a forced fumble... Both interceptions came against Georgetown (Oct. 21), the first one resulting in a 59-yard pick six on the Hoyas' first possession... Added five tackles (four solo) and an additional pass break-up on his way to Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors... All three blocked kicks came against Bucknell (Oct. 28) and earned him national FCS Special Teams Player of the Week honors.... Forced a fumble and made six tackles at Villanova (Sept. 9)... Made a team-high 11 tackles (10 solo) in an overtime victory against Dartmouth (Oct. 14)...
In 2022, started seven games... 20 tackles including 18 solo stops with three passes broken-up and two fumble recoveries... Recovered two fumbles at Stanford (Sept. 3)... Tackled a season-high six opponents against Cornell (Oct. 1) and Maine (Sept. 10)... Recorded 20 total tackles including 18 solo tackles... Broke up three passes against Maine, Penn (Sept. 17), and Holy Cross (Sept. 24)... Seven tackles each in games at Syracuse (Sept. 2) and at Cornell (Sept. 30)...
In 2021 (10 games started)... 28 solo tackles, eight assists, one solo tackle for minus-2 yards, three passes broken up with an interception... Seven tackles, four solo, against Stony Brook (Sept. 11)... In season finale against Fordham (Nov. 20) tallied six tackles, five solo, a forced fumble, an interception he returned for 4-yards, three passes broken up and a quarterback hurry... Five solo stops and a quarterback hurry at Georgetown (Oct, 2)... Six tackles at Holy Cross (Oct. 23) with four solo and a pass break up... Four solo tackles at Boston College (Sept. 4)... Sixth on the team in total tackles... One of only three players on the team to force a fumble... Tied for third on the team in passes broken up...
In 2020, did not see any action.
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Played defensive back at IMG Academy... Was a member of a 9-1 team that was ranked No. 7 nationally and No. 2 in Florida during his senior season... Also played baseball for two years as a shortstop, center fielder, and pitcher... Ran track and competed in the 100m high jump as well as the long jump and 4x1... Named offensive MVP and won a national championship in 2020...
Personal: Nickname is ‘Bam’... Son of Jay and Michelle... Has four siblings including his brother Joey and sisters Lucy, Amber, and Cherielee... Amber ran track at Arizona, Joey played football at Montana, and Cherrielee was a cheerleader for Alabama... “I chose Arizona because I believe in Coach Fisch’s process and fully trust it. It is like a real brotherhood around the team.”
2023: Made two appearances on the offensive line during the 2023 season.
2022: Appeared in five games during the 2022 season.
2021: Played in three games vs. Cal, Washington State and ASU ... and made his first career start vs. Washington State ... Started at left guard vs. WSU ... Also saw extended time vs. Cal.
High School: Joins the Wildcats in Spring of 2021 as one of two early prep enrollees alongside Stevie Rocker Jr.... Decorated prep standout at Mission Viejo High School and received a top-20 position ranking from various recruiting services...2019 Second Team All-County and All-South Coast League selection... Helped guide Mission Viejo to 2019 CIF-SS Division I semifinals with a record of 11-1... Part of a senior class at Mission Viejo that included four Division I signees... Follows in the footsteps of his father, Bryan, to Tucson as a legacy as Bryan played offensive line for the Wildcats from 1992 to 1996... Member of head coach Jedd Fisch’s first recruiting class at Arizona.
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
High School: Appeared in 26 games over three seasons on varsity at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz... Made 156 total tackles (75 solo, 81 assists), averaging 6.0 tackles per game and recording 13.0 tackles for loss.... Posted 5.0 sacks for a loss of four yards and nine hurries.
Awards & Honors2023:
- Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: A dual sport athlete that played basketball, football, and volleyball at Sunrise Mountain High School... Appeared at tight end and defensive end... Made 21 receptions for 215 yards through 33 games played in high school... Averaged 10.2 yards per catch and 6.2 yards per game with a long of 25 yards.... Named Team Captain, All District, and All Region... Academic Player of the Year... Earned Honor Roll for all four years...
Personal: Cousin of Taysom Hill with the New Orleans Saints... Chose Arizona because the coaching staff and the environment really made him feel at home.
Awards & Honors
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Played football at Cathedral Catholic in San Diego, Calif... Made 39 receptions for 984 yards with 11 touchdowns during his college career... Named Team Captain, All Conference, All City... Won the State Championship during his senior year in 2021... Ran the fastest 4x1 in school history.
Personal: Son of Mike and Gigi... His father Mike played for the Raiders and the Patriots and is in the NFL Hall of Fame.
2023: Did not see any action during the 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at powerhouse Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, Calif. ... Made 79 receptions for 1,339 yards and 16 touchdown grabs over three seasons on varsity... Reeled in 26 catches for 528 yards and seven touchdowns during senior season in 2022... Posted career-high 46 grabs for 699 yards and eight touchdowns during junior season... Caught 23 total touchdowns during high school career... Named player of the game twice; first on Oct. 10, 2019 (3 catches, 105 yards vs. Leunzinger); second on Oct. 31, 2019 (2 catches for 74 yards and 1 TD vs. CVHS)... Mission Viejo fell to St. John Bosco in the CIF Southern Section playoffs... A three-star prospect who had offers from Utah, Vanderbilt, Colorado State, Cornell, Fordham, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Tulane, and Yale.
Awards & Honors
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Saw action in five games including the Valero Alamo Bowl 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma during the 2023 season... Did not record a stat.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Appeared at wide receiver and free safety at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, La.... Made 26 receptions for 420 yards and four touchdowns over three seasons...Averaged 16.2 yards per catch and 24.7 yards per game with a long of 72 yards over 17 games played... On defense, made six total tackles including four solo and two assists.
2023: Appeared in one game and made one tackle (1 solo) against Northern Arizona (9/2) on special teams during the 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawai’i... Named to the Polynesian Bowl roster... During junior season, rushed eight times for 39 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry... Made 42 receptions for 511 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per catch and 51.1 yards per game with five touchdowns... Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen... A three-star prospect with offers from Oregon State, San Diego State, and Utah State.
2023: Did not see any action during 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla... Made 20 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdown catches over three seasons on varsity... Averaged 20.5 yards per catch and 24.1 yards per game with a long of 57 yards... During sophomore season, recorded career bests in receptions (13), yards (228), and a long of 57 yards... Rated a three-star and 107th wide receiver nationally per 247Sports... Recruited by wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings... Signed with the Wildcats on Feb. 1, 2023 and joined the team as a mid-year entry... Received offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Marshall, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
2023: Did not see any action during 2023 season.
High School: A running back who prepped at Highland High School in Palmdale, Calif. ... Rushed for 3,001 yards and 48 touchdowns on 340 carries over three seasons on varsity... Averaged 8.8 yards per carry, 107.2 yards per game, and rushed for a long of 79 yards with 14 100-plus-yard games... Made 20 receptions for 349 yards and four touchdowns... Recorded 3,350 all-purpose yards while averaging 119.6 yards per game... Scored 386 total points during his high school career... A three-star prospect with offers from Colorado State, Columbia, Fordham, Fresno State, Harvard, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Princeton, UNLV, Washington, Washington State, and Yale.
2023: Saw action on defense in all 13 games played... Named 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP after making 13 tackles (7 solo, 6 assist), and forcing one pivotal fumble to lead the Wildcats comeback 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma... Finished with career-high 86 tackles (53 solo, 33 assists), career-high six tackles for loss, career-high two sacks, one interception, two pass deflections, and four forced fumbles... Finished 10th in the Pac-12 with 86 tackles (2nd on team)... Tied for first in the Pac-12 with four forced fumbles... The 13 tackles in the Alamo Bowl were a career-high surpassing his previous high of 11 tackles against Utah (8 solo, 3 assists) on Nov. 18... Recorded first-career interception at Arizona State on Nov. 25, and made eight tackles (7 solo, 1 assist) including two tackles for loss in the Territorial Cup win... Made nine tackles against Washington (5 solo, 4 assists) with two forced fumbles on Oct. 14.
2022: Appeared in 11 games primarily on special teams... Made six total tackles with three solo and three assists... Recorded a blocked kick against San Diego State on 9/3... Made a season-high three tackles against Arizona State to help win The Territorial Cup 38-35.2021: Played in three games as a true freshman and picked up two tackles in the Territorial Cup... Made three total tackles, two solo, one assist.
High School: Was named to the 2020 Texas MaxPreps All-State Second Team and was a member of the 2020 Texas 19-6A Division 2 State Champion Team ... Was named First Team All Greater Houston in 2020 ... Two-time team captain ... Recipient of the 2020 John Culpepper Memorial Award ... Was named the 2020 Padilla Poll 6A-D2 Defensive Player of the Year ... Was on the 2020 Academic All-District team.
Personal: The son of Dedrick and Mandy Johnson ... Has two brothers, Daylin and Dane ... His father played one season at Howard Payne University and his brother Daylin plays safety for the Southern Shreveport Jaguars.
2023: Appeared in two games on the defensive line against Washington (9/30) and Arizona State (11/15)... Did not record a stat.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
High School: Played defensive tackle at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz.... Made 114 total tackles including 38 solo and 76 assist... Averaged 6.3 tackles per game and recorded 27.5 tackles for loss... Received offers from Colorado, Idaho, and Utah State... Left high school as a three-star prospect per 247Sports.com... No. 23 defensive lineman in Arizona.
Honors and Awards●
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Appeared in 10 games during the 2023 season... Made five receptions for 27 yards with a long of 14 yards... Posted season-high 17 yards on two receptions at Washington State (10/14).
2022: Appeared in two games during the 2022 season, did not record a stat.
High School: Attended Colony High School in Ontario, California...Three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports...Pulled in 19 receptions for 521 yards and four touchdowns to help Colony HS to an 8-7 record and a playoff appearance as a senior.
2023: Appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season... Made 15 total tackles (5 solo, 10 assists)... Recorded career-high five tackles in back-to-back games, first against Utah (11/18); second at Arizona State (11/25) in the Territorial Cup 59-23 victory.
High School: A dual sport athlete who played basketball and football at President Theodore Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Hawai’i... A three-star prospect per 247Sports that is ranked 10th at linebacker in Hawai’i, and held offers from Army, Hawai’i, Nevada, Boise State, Utah, Washington, and Washington State... Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen.
2023: Did not make an appearance in the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, Calif. ... Played wide receiver and cornerback for the Las Lomas Knights... Made eight total tackles (6 solo, 2 assists), 2.7 tackles for loss over 11 games played on varsity at cornerback... At wide receiver, made 19 receptions for 365 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 19.2 yards per catch and 33.2 yards per game during his high school career... Made a reception of 42 yards during his senior season... A three-star prospect (247Sports), who is ranked No. 68 at defensive back in California... Received offers from San Diego State, Arizona State, Boston College, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington, and Washington State... Committed to Arizona on Dec. 16, 2022.
2023: Did not make an appearance in the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: A dual sport athlete that played basketball and football at Highland High School in Salt Lake City Utah
Before Arizona: As a Senior at Stanford (2023)… Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll… Appeared in all 12 games for the first time in his career, making starts in the first nine games of the year… Finished with career-bests in tackles (35), tackles for loss (four) and sacks (1.5)… Recorded four solo tackles and a 12-yard sack at Colorado (Oct. 13)… Put up a season-high seven tackles the following week against UCLA (Oct. 21)… Added a half sack in the 126th Big Game vs. California… As a Junior (2022) … Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll… Appeared in nine games, making one start… Totaled 25 tackles (nine solo), 4.0 tackles for loss for 12 yards, one sack for five yards, and a quarterback hurry… Career-high 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in Stanford's win over ASU (Oct. 22) … As a Sophomore (2021) … Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll… Appeared in 10 games making one start… Made seven tackles with one QB hurry… Made his first career start against California (Nov. 20) … As a Freshman (2020) … Greg Piers Award… Made his career debut at UCLA.
High School: A three-star offensive lineman that played at Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona... Chose Arizona over Colorado State, Montana State, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, and Utah State... Committed to Arizona on June 19, 2023... Rated No. 32 in Arizona and No. 129 overall at offensive tackle... Played 17 total games over two seasons on varsity in high school... Made 36 total tackles including 12 solo and 24 assists along with seven tackles for loss... Posted 3.5 sacks and 11 QB hurries. “I like the culture the team has,” Lado said. “It’s like a family that not many other programs have. The highlight of the visit was talking about football with coach Brennan Carroll in his room as well as seeing the players workout. My relationship with the staff is great, especially with coach Carroll. I think he is the best O-line coach I have seen so far.”
2023: Appeared in three games during the 2023 season... Did not record a stat... Redshirt.
2022: Appeared in four games on the defensive line for Arizona... Made eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assist) with 0.5 tackles for loss... Recorded a season-high five tackles at Utah (11/5)... Made two tackles at UCLA (11/12)... Posted his first-career tackle at San Diego State on 9/3.
High School: Played defensive end and tight end at Oaks Christian High School... Made 116 total tackles for an average of 6.8 per game... Recorded 31.0 tackles for loss over 17 gamesplayed through two seasons... A four-star linebacker, per 247sports.com, who was ranked No. 27 overall and No. 31 among linebackers... Chose Arizona over Colorado, Oregon State, Arizona State, and Arkansas.
2023: Appeared in all 13 games during the 2023 season... Made a reception in all but one game for 28 total receptions... Reeled in season high five receptions against Washington State and Colorado... Recorded 296 receiving yards with three touchdowns... Pulled in one touchdown reception against UTEP (9/16), UCLA (11/4), and Utah (11/18)... Grabbed five receptions for a season-high 67 receiving yards in a 34-31 win at Colorado (11/11).
Before Arizona: At Colorado, played in 25 career games, starting 12.... Has 33 receptions for 482 yards and five touchdowns in his career. In 2022, played in 12 games, had 23 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns... Made first career start against TCU... Named the offensive player of the game against California by the coaching staff... Named a member of the Victory Club for his play in the win against California... Had eight catches for 119 yards and the game winning touchdown in overtime against California.... In 2021, played in the first 10 games of the season before being listed as injured for the final two ... Registered 10 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns on the season ... Most productive game came in week one against Northern Colorado when he had two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown and was named Colorado’s nomination for Pac-12 Freshman of the Week ... Had a clutch touchdown against Oregon State, hauling in a pass from Brendon Lewis with just 2:24 left in regulation to put the Buffs back ahead after the Beavers took their only lead of the game... In 2020, played in three games and dressed for all six including the Alamo Bowl ... Played in the first two games of the season, vs. UCLA and at Stanford, and in the Alamo Bowl against Texas ... Didn't have any catches in the regular season, but had a 15-yard reception from Brendon Lewis in the Alamo Bowl, kicking off a scoring drive in the fourth quarter ... Named first-team Academic All-Colorado by the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
High School: A three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and PrepStar as a consensus top 100 player out of California ... 247Sports rates him as the No. 54 athlete in the class and No. 84 player from California ... Rivals ranked him the No. 85 player out of California ... He helped spur a turn-around at Inglewood that saw the team improve from a 0-10 record as a junior and to 12-1, losing by one point in the CIF Southern Section Division 13 Semifinals while having a perfect 5-0 record in the Pioneer League under coach Mil’Von James ... He played receiver, cornerback and was the team’s punter and punt returner ... His senior season he had 46 receptions for 1,289 yards and 23 touchdowns and added two rushes for 22 yards for 1,314 yards from scrimmage ... He added two two-point conversions for a total of 142 points scored ... He had one 200-yard receiving game, six 100-yard receiving games, eight games with multiple receiving touchdowns, and six games with at least one 50-yard reception ... On defense he added 70 tackles, including five for a loss, six interceptions, four pass break-ups and one fumble recovery ... On special teams as a senior, he averaged 49.0 yards per punt on five punts with a long of 53 and one inside the 20 ... Also had one punt return for 46 yards ... As a junior, he had 30 receptions for 573 yards and eight touchdowns and 10 rushes for 47 yards and a touchdown ... He had four 100-yard receiving games ... He added 62 tackles on defense, including six for a loss, to go with two interceptions, one forced fumble and a pass breakup ... He also had four kick returns for 67 yards ... He had 215 yards on just five receptions with four touchdowns in a 77-0 win over West as a senior when he also had four tackles and a 46-yard punt return ... In a 63-7 win over Hamilton as a senior, both of his receptions went for touchdowns when he racked up 136 yards and added eight tackles on defense ... He had a 100-yard game on five receptions to go with two interceptions on defense in a 68-14 win over Gardena his senior season ... He had 13 tackles, an interception and two pass breakups on defense and six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in a 28-0 win over North as a senior ... Had four catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns on offense and seven tackles on defense in a 60-21 win over Santa Monica his senior season ... He also played basketball and was named the MVP of the Pioneer League his junior season.
Personal: He was born on July 29, 2002 in Inglewood, Calif. ... He was raised by his mom, Daisy Lemonious, and grandmother, Brenda Lemonious ... He has an older sister ... He enjoys working out and resting in his free time ... He is interested in going into broadcasting after his football days are over ... He has done community service through his church ... Full name is Montana-George Eugene Lemonious-Craig ... He was nicknamed “Mr. Inglewood” by the new coaching staff his senior season for being the heart and soul of the team. (Last name is pronounced lee-moan-E-us.)... He is majoring in Communication at Colorado and pursuing a minor in Sports Media ... He was a member of the National Honor Society in high school ... Named first-team Academic All-Colorado by the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation his true freshman season in 2020 and received honorable mention status ... Honored with the Byron R. White Leadership and Initiative Award at CU's 2022 Academic Breakfast for exhibiting outstanding initiative and demonstrating a strong commitment to service the CU and Boulder Community.
2023: Appeared in four regular season games and the Valero Alamo Bowl during the 2023 season... Recorded two total tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), one solo at Colorado (11/11) and one assist (0.5 TFL) against Utah (11/18)... Hurried the QB once against Utah... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, Calif. ... Made 89 total tackles (53 solo, 36 assists) over two seasons (20 games) on varsity... Averaged 4.5 tackles per game and recorded 26.0 tackles for loss... Posted 8.5 sacks for a loss of 41 yards, averaging 0.4 sacks per game and notched 19 quarterback hurries... Deflected five passes and caused two fumbles... A three-star prospect per 247Sports with offers from Washington State, Colorado, and San Jose State.
Before Arizona: 2023: Saw reserve action in six games… Made his first tackle as a Ute with an assisted TFL at No. 19 Oregon State… Also contributed a QB hurry against the Beavers… 2022: Saw action in the win at Colorado… High School: A three-star recruit out of The Episcopal School of Dallas, where Kennedy was a two-way player at edge and running back… Rated by 247Sports as the No. 11-ranked edge player in Texas… Named Southwest Preparatory All-Conference as a senior in 2021… Part of an Eagles squad that went 10-1 his senior season, reaching the SPC 4A Championship… Had 18 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns in the 2021 regular season… Anchored an Episcopal School defense that held opponents to 20.5 points per game… Also played basketball while in high school.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: All-Pac-12 Second Team Specialist (12/5)
- 2023: Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week (11/13)
- 2023: Lou Groza Award Semifinalist (11/9)
- 2023: Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List (8/2)
- 2023: Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
- 2022: Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
- 2022: All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
2023: Appeared in all 13 games during the 2023 season... Made 19-of-24 field goal attempts for 79.2%... Booted a career-long 52-yarder at Colorado in a game where he also made a game-winning 24-yard field goal as time expired... Made 53-of-53 extra-point attempts to move to 103-for-103 on extra-point attempts in his collegiate career... Has made 49-of-57 (86.0%) of his field goal attempts in college... Kicked two field goals from beyond 50 yards (51 vs. Oregon State, 10/28), and the aforementioned 52-yarder vs. Colorado (11/11), marking the two longest field goals made of his collegiate career... Third in the Pac-12 in made field goals (19)... Seventh in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage (79.2%)... Finished junior season 12th all-time in career-field goal percentage (86.0%, 49-57).
2022: Appeared in all 12 games as the teams primary kicker, handling kickoff duties as well... Made 18 of 21 attempts with a career-long of 48 yards for a percentage of 85.71... Made 38 of 38 extra points... Booted his long of 48 yards at Washington on 10/15... Made nine straight field goals to end the season, going 3-for-3 against USC on 10/29, 1-for-1 at Utah on 11/5, 2-for-2 at UCLA on 11/12, 2-for-2 vs. Washington State on 11/19, and 1-for-1 in the Territorial Cup victory over Arizona State on 11/25... Booted 45 touchbacks on kickoff marking a career high... 30-for-33 on field goals in career.
2021: Played in eight games ... Finished the season as Arizona’s PAT and short kick specialist ... Made all 12 of his attempts with a long of 42 ... Became the first player in Arizona history to make their first 10 career kicks ... Made all 12 of his point after attempts ... Led the team in scoring with 48 points.
2020: Played in all five games as the Wildcats primary punter...Totaled 24 punts on the year and averaged 43.0 yards per punt with a long of 64...Downed eight punts inside the opponents 20 yard line...Boomed eight kicks 50+ yards...Only notched two touchbacks...Long punt of 64 yards came in the Territorial Cup on Dec. 11, one of three punts in the game...Career-high seven punts came on Dec. 5 versus Colorado...Forced three fair catches in both the Nov. 21 game at Washington and the next week, Nov. 28 at UCLA...Best performance of the year came Dec. 5 versus Colorado, booming three punts of 50+ yards and averaging 47.14 yards per punt.High School: Graduated from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas in May 2020...Lettered three years in football as a kicker/punter, two years in soccer (forward), and one year in track and field (high jump, 100-meter, 200-meter)...Finished high school ranked as the No. 8 kicker in the country by Kohl’s Kicking...Competed in 2019 Texas Showcase and won both the field goal and kickoff portions of the event...Named to 2019 Whataburger Super Team.
Personal: Steven Tyler Loop...Son of Steve and Linda Loop...One brother, Andrew, and one sister, Sarah...Majoring in Pre-Business...Chose Arizona because, “I saw the best opportunity for myself to develop into the best kicker I can be and compete early in my career.
High School: Played running back and linebacker for Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Ariz.... Rushed for 2,307 yards and 29 touchdowns during the 2023 season... Helped Canyon del Oro defeat Yuma Catholic to win the 4A State Title... Made 66 tackles at linebacker... Top wrestler in Arizona in the 215-pound division... Rushed for 3,609 yards and 52 touchdowns on 451 carries during high school career... During the 2021-22 season rushed for 808 yards and 14 touchdowns on 119 carries... On defense during his career, made 90 total tackles including 12.5 tackles for loss... Averaged 3.3 tackles per game over 27 games... Posted 57 solo and 33 assists during prep career... Appeared in six games as a kickoff returner, making five returns for 202 yards with an average of 40.4 yards per return and a long of 60 yards.
2023: Appeared in all 13 games during the 2023 season... Averaged 4.1 yards per attempt and 11.8 yards per game... Rushed for 153 total yards and one touchdown on 37 carries... Tallied the first rushing touchdown of his career at Washington State (10/14)... Gained a career-high 71 yards on 10 carries against the Cougars on the road... Posted a career-long 40-yard rush (9/30 at WSU) and 66-yard reception (11/4 vs. UCLA)... Caught four passes for 95 yards (23.8 yards per catch)... Returned two kickoffs for 22 yards.
2022: Appeared in seven games at running back during his first season with Arizona... Rushed for 105 yards on 15 attempts with a long of 28 yards... Averaged 7.0 yards per rush and 15.0 yards per game... Gained a season-high 42 yards on three carries at Utah (11/5)... Rushed for 32 yards on two carries against North Dakota State (9/17)... Made one reception for one yard.
High School: Prepped at St. John Bosco and was a four-star recruit per 247Sports.com... Had offers from San Jose State, Arizona State, Boston College, and Duke... Named to the All-American Bowl roster... Also participated in track and ran a sub-11.00 100-meter time as a freshman, including a PR of 10.55 at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in May 2019... Committed and signed with the Wildcats on Jan. 8, 2022... No. 14 athlete and No. 18 running back in California... Rushed for 2,010 yards on 201 carries with 24 total touchdowns... Posted a career-high 944 yards rushing on 76 carries with 10 touchdowns during senior season... Averaged 12.4 yards per carry during his final season with St. John Bosco... Named Team Captain, MVP, All-Conference, All-State, and All-American...
Personal: Nicknamed ‘Speedy’... Son of Raymond and Nicole... Chose Arizona because, “I felt the brotherhood and the rebuilding because we are underdogs.”
Before Arizona: A transfer from Tennessee... Speedy and athletic defensive back from Gainesville, Georgia, located an hour northeast of Atlanta ... Helped lead Colquitt County to a 7A state semifinal finish in 2022 after an undefeated regular season ... Rated as a three-start prospect by all major recruiting services ... The No. 62 rated player in the state of Georgia by Rivals ... Named the All-Region 1-7A Utility Player of the Year by the region’s coaches after averaging 32.9 yards per return on kickoffs and 8.9 yards per return on punts ... Named one of the top multi-position players in the state of Georgia for the 2022 season by AJC.com ... Incredibly versatile throughout high school, logging 850 yards receiving, 495 yards rushing and 247 yards passing, while amassing 1,061 kickoff return yards and 280 punt return yards ... On the defensive side of the ball, had 211 tackles, including 103 his senior year, five interceptions and eight pass breakups ... Began his high school career at Johnson as a quarterback before transferring to Hebron Christian and ultimately finishing his prep career at Colquitt County ... Coached by Sean Calhoun ... Also played soccer where he was an all-region performer.
2023:Appeared in 11 games including the Valero Alamo Bowl 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma during the 2023 season... Helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Paved the way for the Wildcats to finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
2022:Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
2021:Played in the final four games of the season vs. Cal, Utah, Washington State and ASU as a reserve offensive lineman and was a member of the field goal unit.
2020:Did not make an appearance
High School:Prepped at Bethlehem Catholic High School in Saskatoon, Canada…During high school career spent time playing running back, quarterback, linebacker, defensive line, tight end, and offensive line…Also lettered in track and field, where he competed in discus, shot put, and javelin…Owns high school program record in shot put and discus and is two-time city and provincial champion in both events.
Personal:Leif Walter-Quinn Magnuson…Son of Quinn and Kirsten Magnuson…One sister, Annika…Father, Quinn, played college football at Washington State and professionally in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottowa Rough Riders, and Montreal Alouettes…Great uncle, Keith, played professional hockey with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and logged 589 career games…Majoring in Sociology.
Before Arizona: 2023: Named Second-Team All-Big Sky Defense... Made 59 total tackles over four seasons with the Aggies... Posted eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one block... Appeared in 31 games over four seasons at UC Davis... 2022: ALL-BIG SKY THIRD TEAM... Played in all 11 games and made eight starts... Helped spearhead a defense that ranked third in the conference in scoring defense... The Ags ranked second in the Big Sky in red zone defense... 2021 FALL: Started all 12 games at nose tackle... Registered 20 total tackles, including 11 solo stops and three for a loss... 2021 SPRING: BIG SKY CONFERENCE CO-FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR... ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM... Finished with 12 total tackles (6 solo, 6 assists) with a 2-yard TFL... Made Aggie debut with 5 stops (2-3-5) with the TFL at Idaho (3/6), making a stop against WR Roshaun Johnson... Finished spring with 2-1-3 tackles chart vs. Eastern Washington (4/3). LONG BEACH POLY HS ’20: Played four years for coaches Stephen Barbee and Antonio Pierce, helping team to 32-14 overall record and 28-0 mark in Moore League play across four seasons... Earned All-Southern Section Division 2, Orange County Register All-SoCal Team, and Long Beach Press Telegram All-Dream Team honors in 2019... Also selected as Moore League Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team All-Defense as a senior... Member of the Pacific Islander Club... Served as a part-time math tutor for his teammates and volunteered with entities such as Miller Children’s Hospital, Police Academy Community Training and Councilman Dee Andrews’ annual Thanksgiving meal.
Personal: Born in Long Beach, Calif.... Goes by the nickname “Chubba," a moniker given to him by a cousin when he was still a baby... Proudest personal accomplishment was running a five-minute mile.
2023: Did not make an appearance in the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Appeared in 28 games over three seasons on varsity at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Ariz... Made 121 total tackles (49 solo, 72 assists), averaging 4.3 tackles per game and 13.0 tackles for loss... Posted 10.0 sacks for a loss of 36 yards, averaging 0.4 sacks per game, and 16 hurries.
2023: Appeared in three games during the 2023 season... Made one assisted tackle in a 42-18 win over Utah (11/18).
Before Arizona: Made 19.0 tackles during the 2022 season at Mt. SAC... Recorded a season-high 4.0 tackles at Fullerton College in the final game of the season on Nov. 26... An unrated prospect (247Sports) who was recruited by Johnny Nansen and Jordan Paopao.
2023: Appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts during the 2023 season... Recorded a career high with 81 tackles (57 solo, 24 assists), finishing 16th in the Pac-12 in tackles... Posted a season-high 10 tackles twice; first against Oregon State on Oct. 28; second at Arizona State on Nov. 25... Made nine tackles, one interception, and returned a fumble 87 yards for a touchdown to earn Defensive MVP in the 2023 Alamo Bowl after defeating No. 12 Oklahoma 38-24 to secure a 10-win season for the fourth time in program history... Named one of eight captains of the 2023 Wildcats prior to the season.
2022: Appeared in 11 games with nine starts at safety... Made a career-high 48 tackles (26 solo, 22 assists) with two tackles for loss... Posted one pass breakup and three forced fumbles... Recorded season-high nine tackles on two different occasions; first on 11/5 at Utah; second on 11/19 against Washington State.
2021: Played in 10 games with six starts at safety...Tallied a career-high 36 total tackles and added one interception, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble...Opened the year with a career-best seven-tackle performance against BYU...Picked up PBUs against BYU and Northern Arizona...Notched first career interception against UCLA.
Before Arizona: Spent 2020 season as a member of the Northwestern Wildcats alongside fellow Arizona commit Drake Anderson... Appeared in three games for Northwestern as a true freshman... Recorded first career tackle in NU’s 43-3 win over Maryland (10-24-2020)... Like Drake Anderson, also played prep football at Chandler High... Earned All-State and All-Region Honors as a senior with 43 tackles and seven interceptions... Part of the Wolves’ run of four consecutive state titles... Team captain at Chandler in 2019... Graduated as one of the top players in the state in his recruiting class... Member of head coach Jedd Fisch’s first recruiting class at Arizona.
High School: Prepped at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California... Played linebacker and running back in high school... Over 28 games on defense, made 104 solo tackles, 73 assisted tackles for 177-career tackles... Averaged 6.3 tackles per game... Made 15.0 tackles for loss... Recorded 6.0 sacks for loss of 47 yards, averaging 0.2 sacks per game for his career... Helped Serra to a 12-1 record including a 7-0 league record to finish first... Serra finished 6th in the state of California in 2023... Made season-high 10 tackles against De La Salle on Sept. 2 in a 28-0 win... In the playoffs, made seven assisted tackles against EMDHS on Dec. 9... Recorded only sack of senior season in 21-14 win over Folsom on Aug. 26... Posted one interception during 2023 season in 43-10 win over SICP on Nov. 3... At running back during the 2023 season, rushing for 49 yards on seven carries and one touchdown... Only rushing touchdown came against De La Salle on Sept. 2... Rushed for 320 yards at tailback during high school career with seven touchdowns... Averaged 11.4 yards per game over 28 games.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: AP First-Team All-Pac-12 (12/7)
- 2023: All-Pac-12 First Team (12/5)
- 2023: Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week - Week 10 (11/8)
- 2023: Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week - Week 9 (11/1)
- 2023: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (8/17)
- 2022: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (11/14)
2023: Started all 13 games during his second season with the Wildcats in 2023... Led the Pac-12 in tackles with 116 (45 solo, 71 assists)... Made double-digit tackles in five games including a career-high-tying 12 tackles in four different games... Set a new single-game career-high tackle mark at Mississippi State on Set. 9... Matched that 12-tackle mark at Stanford (9/23), vs. UCLA (11/4), and at Colorado (11/11)... Second on the team in tackles for loss (9.5 for minus 58 yards), trailing only defensive end Taylor Upshaw (11.5)... Second on the team in sacks (6.5)... Made his only interception of the season against Utah (11/18), becoming the first linebacker since Anthony Pandy and Kenny Hebert (2021) had one interception apiece in a game... Deflected three passes... Earned AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 First Team honors.
2022: Appeared in all 12 games with seven starts at linebacker during his first season with the Wildcats... Posted season-high 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assists) at Washington on 10/15... Recorded 10 tackles for the second time in the season at UCLA on 11/12 (5 solo, 5 assist)... Made 54 total tackles to lead all true freshmen in that category... Posted 27 solo tackles and 27 assists... Recorded 1.0 sack for a loss of three yards... Hurried the quarterback two times and recorded two pass breakups... Made seven tackles (3 solo, 4 assists) to help the Wildcats claim the Territorial Cup with a 38-35 win over Arizona State (11/25)... Notched the first sack of his career in the Territorial Cup win.
High School: Appeared as a linebacker and running back with Servite High School... Made 179 total tackles (68 solo, 111 assist) over 30 games played for 6.0 tackles per game and 10.0 tackles for loss... Recorded 3.0 sacks for a loss of 12 yards... A three-star prospect per 247Sports.com... Received offers from Dartmouth and Pennsylvania... Named to 2021 Polynesian Bowl roster... Committed to Arizona on Oct. 10, 2021 and signed on Dec. 15, 2021.
Personal: Son of Lesinali and Jennifer... One of four children including brother Setaleki, and sisters Kalena and Kayla... “I chose Arizona because I felt like we are building something special. I felt at home here and I feel like we can turn this program around.”
Before Arizona: In 2022 as a redshirt freshman at New Mexico,played and started in eight games … started the first six before missing four games and five weeks with an injury … got back into the lineup for the final two games of the season... In2021, played in four games, starting two, earning a redshirt … played against Texas A&M and Air Force, and started at guard against San Diego State and Colorado State … played 87 snaps on the offensive line, all at right guard … did not allow a sack or a hit against a quarterback this season.
High School: A dual threat athlete that played wide receiver and cornerback at Soquel High School in Soquel, Calif... In 2023, helped Soquel High School win the first State Football Championship in Santa Cruz County history... Appeared in 35 games over three seasons on varsity, making 114 receptions for 2,258 yards and reeling in 38 touchdown receptions... Rushed for 231 yards on 31 carries and one touchdown... On defense, made 41 total tackles (18 solo, 23 assists), averaging 1.2 tackles per game over 35 games during two seasons... A 3-star WR and 2022 League MVP... Rated the 81st wide receiver prospect by 247sports... Held offers from Eastern Washington and San Jose State.
Honors and Awards
- 2023: The Sporting News Second-Team All-American (12/13)
- 2023: AP Third-Team All-American (12/11)
- 2023: AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 (12/7)
- 2023: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalist (12/7)
- 2023: All-Pac-12 Second Team (12/5)
- 2023: Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week (11/25 - Week 13)
- 2023: Biletnikoff Award Watch List (11/13)
- 2023: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (8/17)
- 2023: Preseason All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention
- 2022: Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalist (11/3)
- 2022: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/17)
- 2022: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (10/3)
- 2022: Named to 247 Sports True Freshman Player of the Year Preseason Watch List(8/18)
- 2022: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List (8/18)
2023: Started all 13 games during his second season with the Wildcats in 2023... Led the team with 1,402 receiving yards and was second on the team with 10 touchdown grabs... Second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game (107.8)... Tied for fifth in the conference in touchdown catches (10)... Tied for sixth in program history with 10 touchdown receptions, falling three touchdown receptions shy of the single-season record that Jacob Cowing set (13) in 2023... 1,402 receiving yards were the second most in a single-season in program history... Becomes the 8th player in program history to surpass 2,000-career receiving yards (2,104), putting him eighth all-time... His 18-career receiving touchdowns are seventh in program history... Completed one pass on one attempt for a 21-yard touchdown on a trick play, marking his first collegiate passing touchdown against Utah (11/18).
2022: Appeared in all 12 games, making eight starts during his first season with the Arizona Wildcats... Led all True Freshman nationally with 702 yards on 39 receptions and eight touchdowns... The eight touchdowns tied for first in the Pac-12... Crossed the 100-yard threshold once at Washington (10/15) with 132 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions... Made five catches for 90 yards and one touchdown against Colorado (10/1) ... Caught a touchdown in seven of 12 games played... Second nationally among True Freshman in yards per game (58.5)... Set an Arizona record for most receiving yards (702) by a True Freshman, surpassing Nate Phillips’ 696 receiving yards in 2013.
High School: Prepped at Servite High School in California...Highest ranked recruit in Arizona program history; Rivals five-star, 247Sports high four-star...No. 4 nationally ranked wide receiver in his class according to 247Sports; No. 36 overall recruit nationally...Teammates with fellow Arizona signees QB Noah Fifita, TE Keyan Burnett, and LB Jacob Manu... 2022 California State Player of the Year... Participated in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl...2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year...2021 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year finalist...Participated in the 2022 All-American Bowl...Across three varsity seasons pulled in 179 receptions for 2,640 yards and 34 touchdowns...As a senior in 2021 went for 1,302 yards and 18 scores on 88 catches...Also played basketball and volleyball at Servite HS.
Honors & Awards
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2022: College Sports Communicators Academic All District
- 2022: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Appeared in 13 games on special teams and at tight end for the Wildcats during the 2023 season... Made one reception against Utah (11/18).
2022: Appeared in 10 games, primarily on special teams during his third season with Arizona... Did not record a stat as a member of the kick return team.2021: Did not see any action in the 2021 season. 2020: Did not make an appearance
High School: Attended Schul-und Leistungssportzentrum Berlin in Germany...Also competed in track and field, running the 200- and 400-meter.
Personal: Roberto Atlas De Amorim Miranda...Son of Salvador and Maria Miranda...One younger sister...Majoring in Pre-Elementary Education...Chose Arizona because, “Tucson has great weather, the team has a great offensive system, the coaches are very good, and the campus is beautiful.”
Honors and Awards
- 2023: AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 (12/7)
- 2023: Football Writers Association Mid-Season Freshman All-American Watch List(10/18)
2023: Appeared in 13 all games in his second season with the Wildcats in 2023... Helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Paved the way for the Wildcats to finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
2022: Appeared in four games, making three starts on the offensive line in his first season with Arizona... Helped make time for the Wildcats sixth-ranked passing offense and 21st ranked total offense, averaging 30.8 points per game... Was one of two offensive lineman (Savaiinaea) to start on the offensive line... Made starts against Utah (Nov. 5), UCLA (Nov. 12), and Washington State (Nov. 19).
High School: Attended Long Beach Poly High School... Played four years on offensive line and defensive line... Named team captain, team MVP, all-conference, all-city, all-district, all-region, and all-state... Rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports.
Before Arizona: At Old Dominion in 2023, appeared in all 13 games, starting eight at wide receiver ... Finished third on the team with 28 receptions ... Led the team with 502 receiving yards ... Scored three touchdowns ... Finished 27th in the country averaging 17.9 yards per catch ... Caught his first career pass for a five-yard gain in the season-opener at Virginia Tech ... Had two receptions for 97 yards, both touchdowns, in the win over Louisiana. His touchdowns went for 36 and 61 yards. The 61-yard TD was his longest play of the season ... ... Totaled three catches for 44 yards in the win over Texas A&M Commerce ... Had one catch for 42 yards at Marshall ... Caught two passes for 33 yards in the win over App State ... Had a season-high five catches for 70 yards at James Madison ... Caught four passes for 38 yards at Liberty ... Had four receptions for 59 yards in the win at Georgia Southern ... Caught four passes for 96 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown in the win over Georgia State ... Had one catch for seven yards in the Famous Toastery Bowl against WKU… High School/San Mateo CC: Recorded 17 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns at San Mateo in 2022.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Played in 32 games over three seasons on varsity at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy in Tucson, Ariz... Two-time Class 3A South Defensive Player of the Year, with 349 tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks during high school career... Posted 121 solo tackles and 228 assists, averaging 10.9 tackles per game... On offense made 63 receptions for 1,051 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 32.8 yards per game, 16.7 yards per catch, with a long of 81 yards... Blocked nine punts during three seasons on varsity... Played tight end and middle linebacker... Named team captain of a team that went 11-2 overall and 4-1 in section play to finish second during senior season.
Before Arizona: Transferred to Arizona after spending the first two seasons of his collegiate career with Western Kentucky (16 games)... Appeared in all 13 games as long snapper with WKU during the 2023 season... Made three total tackles marking the first tackles of his collegiate career... In 2022 (Fr.), Naughton did not see game action for the Hilltoppers during his first year on The Hill.... Redshirt in 2022... HS/Misc.: Prepped at Salpointe High School at Tucson, Ariz. Rated a 4.5 star long snapper recruit by Rubio Long Snapping.
High School:A three-star prospect that played edge at Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas… Rated the No. 90 edge and No. 191 player in Texas… Held offers from Houston, Kansas State, Sam Houston State, San Diego State, Texas State, Tulane, and Washington State… Committed to Arizona on June 13, 2023… Made 117 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries over three seasons on varsity.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Village Christian High School in Sun Valley, Calif... A dual sport athlete who also played volleyball in high school... Played one season on varsity (9 games) and made 43 receptions for 936 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns and one fumble returned for a touchdown... Reeled in a long of 82 yards and averaged 104.0 yards per game with a per-catch average of 21.8 yards... Recorded one kick return for 28 yards... Scored 96 total points in one season of varsity football, averaging 10.7 points per game with 15 total touchdowns.
Before Arizona: In 2023, played in 10 games with career-highs with 310 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions... Had four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl against Coastal Carolina (12/23)... Had season long 56 yard touchdown catch with career best 6 receptions and 81 yards at UNLV (11/25)... Caught a 27-yard touchdown vs. Cal Poly (9/9)... Career-high six catches, plus recovered a fumble for a touchdown vs. No. 18 Oregon State (9/3)... In 2022, four catches for 33 yards vs. CSU (11/05)... Two catches for 21 yards vs. Nevada (10/29)... Grabbed career-high five passes for 42 yards vs. WMU (9/24)... Caught two passes for 17 yards at Auburn (9/10)... Had his third career touchdown with a one yard catch vs. Portland St. (9/1)... In 2021, played in two games... Caught a career-high 70 yard touchdown pass against Southern Utah (8/28)... Had three receptions for 32 yards at USC (9/4)... Finished with four receptions, 102 yards, and one touchdown... In 2020, appeared in six games in his freshman campaign... Playing time increased as the season progressed... Caught five passes for 67 yards... Scored his first collegiate touchdown on a one yard reception vs. New Mexico (10/31)... Season-high two receptions for 34 yards in Mountain West championship vs. Boise State (12/19)... Season-long 28-yard reception at Hawai'i (12/5)
High School: Played quarterback and safety at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City, Iowa... Also, played for the varsity basketball team while in high school... During the 2023 season, helped Bishop Heelan Catholic to an 11-2 record and a 2nd place finish in Class 3A... Threw for 2,264 yards and 35 touchdowns during 2023 season... Named Large School Player of the Year following the 2023 season.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: A safety who prepped at Katy High School in Katy, Texas... Katy finished the 2022 season 14-1 and ranked 8th in the state of Texas... Fell 38-35 to Vandegrift in the semifinals of the 2022 Texas 6A D2 playoffs... A three-star prospect with offers from Arkansas, Central Arkansas, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Purdue, SMU, Tulane, USC, UTSA, and Yale.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, Calif.... Played guard and tackle as a member of the 10-5 overall and 4-1 in conference varsity team in 2022... A three-star prospect with offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, Nevada, Oregon, Oregon State, UNLV, and Utah State... Originally from Las Vegas, Nev.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season.
Before Arizona: With BYU, took two kickoffs in 2021... Redshirt in 2021
Personal: Majoring in Entrepreneurial Management... Missionary Service: Served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nova Scotia, Canada... Parents are Von and Amber... Married to Emily since 2022... Runs non-profit Helmets 4 Hope.
High School: Prepped at Chandler High School... Went 147-for-154 on PATs in 23 games for the Wolves... Was 7-for-10 on FGA, with a long of 45 yards.
High School: A three-star wide receiver that played at American Leadership Academy Gilbert North High School in Gilbert, Arizona... Chose Arizona over Arizona State, Colorado State, Michigan State, and Northern Arizona... Committed to the Wildcats on Dec. 21, 2022... Rated the No. 25 receiver in Arizona and the No. 155 overall wideout... Played wide receiver and defensive end, also, played basketball in high school... Made 282-career receptions for a state-record 4,971 yards and 61 touchdowns over four seasons on varsity... Averaged over 100 yards per game during his junior (2022) and senior (2023) seasons... Set a high school career high with 28 touchdown receptions during his junior season... Made nine tackles on defense."The biggest reason I committed to Arizona is because of the opportunity to play at a high level being coached by amazing coaches," Phelps said. "I felt as if there wasn’t anywhere else I needed to go," Phelps said. "It’s a great program with great people around it and it’s only getting better."
Awards & Honors
- 2023: Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll
2023: Appeared in 11 games on special teams during the 2023 season... Did not record a stat.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season.
2023: Appeared in six games, making five starts during his first season with the Wildcats in 2023... Helped an offensive line pave the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Helped the Wildcats finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
High School: A dual sport athlete who competed in basketball and football at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Calif. ... Played offensive line for a high school team that went 8-3 overall and 4-1 in league play at Apple Valley... Appeared at guard and tackle and is the 27th ranked offensive lineman in California... A three-star prospect (247Sports) and four-star prospect per 247Sports composite rankings... Held offers from Alabama, Louisville, UCLA, Boston College, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, UNLV, Washington, and Washington State... Decommitted from Alabama and committed to Arizona on Dec. 18, 2022.
Before Arizona: Appeared in nine games during one season with the College of San Mateo… Made 16.0 total tackles (13 solo, 3 assists) … Averaged 1.8 tackles per game with 1.0 sack… Recorded 1.0 tackle for loss and two interceptions with 55 return-yards and four pass breakups… Recorded season-high 4.0 tackles (3 total, 1 assist) during the final game of the season at Riverside on Dec. 9… Made a tackle in seven of nine games played… Reeled his first collegiate interception against Diablo Valley (12/21) and returned it 55 yards… Grabbed his second interception against San Francisco on Nov. 11.
Before Arizona: In 2023, appeared in 10 total games, exclusively on special teams, as a true freshman ... Earned first collegiate letter ... vs. Mercer (9/2/23): Made first collegiate appearance ... at #22 Tulane (9/9/23): Appeared on one special teams snap ... vs. Georgia Tech (9/16/23): Played on five special teams snaps ... vs. #12 LSU (9/30/23): Appeared in 12 special teams snaps ... vs. Arkansas (10/7/23): Appeared on special teams ... at Auburn (10/21/23): Played two special teams snaps ... vs. Vanderbilt (10/28/23): Appeared on special teams ... vs. Texas A&M (11/4/23): Played nine snaps on special teams ... at #1 Georgia (11/11/23): Played two special teams snaps ... vs. ULM (11/18/23): Played four special teams snaps.
2023: Appeared in 11 games at wide out and on special teams for the Wildcats in 2023... Made four receptions for 90 yards with a long of 40 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per catch and 8.2 yards per game... Made one reception for 40 yards (season long) against Oregon State (10/28)... Reeled in another reception for 36 yards against Utah (11/18).
Before Arizona: Utilized redshirt season in his first year with San Diego State (2023).
High School: Prepped locally at nearby Madison High School in San Diego … Helped the Warhawks post a 27-13 record during his four years on the varsity squad … Helped lead the team to three different high school playoff appearances in his four years … Is a three-star recruit by 247sports with a scout grade of 88 … Ranked by 247sports as the 53rd-best player at his position and the 58th-best recruit in the state of California … Is also a three-star recruit by ESPN with a scout grade of 76.
High School: A five-star kicker and punter (per Kohlskicking.com) that played at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, California… Chose Arizona over Air Force… Committed to the Wildcats on June 17, 2023… Rated the No. 3 kicker in the nation (per 247Sports)… Appeared at kicker and punter during high school… Made 27-of-35 field goal attempts (77.1%) during his high school career… Booted a long of 52 yards during his senior season… Made 133-of-140 on point-after-attempts… Registered 214 total points… Handled kickoff duties as well, booting 124 touch-backs during his high school career… Primary punter that averaged 37.2 yards per punt with a long of 61 yards, placing 31 inside the 20 yard line…. Punted 78 times during his high school career.
2023: Started all 13 games during his second season with the Wildcats... Finished second on the team with an overall blocking grade (69.7 per PFF)... Third on team with 81.7 run-blocking grade (per PFF)... Allowed two sacks in 889 snaps (per PFF)... Helped lead an offensive line that paved the way for the 20th ranked total offense (448.0), 8th ranked passing offense (308.3), and 18th ranked scoring offense in the nation (34.6 ppg)... Helped the Wildcats finish 5th in the nation in red zone offense (93.0%), 8th in 3rd down conversion percentage (48.8%), tied for 14th nationally in 4th down conversion percentage (66.7%), and 10th in team passing efficiency (164.97)... Arizona's offensive line led the Wildcats to a 10-3 season and a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... The nine-win improvement from 2021 to 2023 marked the largest win improvement over two years in program history... The offensive line led the Wildcats to seven straight wins to end the season, tying a program record for in-season consecutive wins.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawai’i… Played defensive tackle and defensive end… 11th ranked edge in the state of Hawai’i… A three-star prospect per 247Sports with offers from Hawai’i, San Diego State, and San Jose State… Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen… Brother of current Wildcat Jonah Savaiinaea.
2023: Appeared in all 13 games on defense and special teams... Made 24 tackles (13 solo, 11 assists) with one interception... Posted season-high five tackles (3 solo, 2 assists) against Washington on Sept. 30... Recorded one tackle and his first-career interception against No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl... Leading to a 38-24 win and a 10-win season for the fourth time in program history... Made a tackle in 11 of 13 games played this season.
Before Arizona: At San Jose State, earned the following awards… All-Mountain West First Team (2023) … Mountain West Scholar Athlete (2023) … Second Team Phil Steele's Postseason Mountain West Team (2023) … CSC Academic All-District (2023) … Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award recipient (2022) … President’s Scholar (2022) … Mountain West All-Academic Team Honoree (2021) … With the Spartans in 2023, had career-highs with 66 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2023… Had eight tackles including 1.0 sacks and 1.0 tackles for loss in EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl against Coastal Carolina (12/23) … 10 tackles at UNLV (11/25) … Four tackles, 1.0 sacks and 1.5 TFL's against No. 25 Fresno St. (11/11) … Three tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 TFL's and a QB hurry at Hawai'i (10/28) … One sack, 2.5 TFL's and six tackles vs. Utah State (10/21) … Career-high 13 tackles vs. Air Force (9/22) … Two tackles including 0.5 sacks and 0.5 TFL's at Toledo (9/16) … Had two tackles with a sack, 1.0 tackles for loss and one forced fumble vs. Cal Poly (9/9) … Had career-high 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL's, plus had four tackles at No. 6 USC (8/26) … In 2022 played one game with San Jose State… In 2021, appeared in 10 of 12 games… Made season-high five tackles at UNLV (10/21) … Tallied two tackles and 1.0 tacks for a loss of six yards at USC (9/4)… Made 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack for a loss of five yards at Nevada (11/6)… Credited with 22 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss of 28 yards, and 3.0 sacks for loss of 21 yards.
Before Arizona: In 2023 with San Jose State, did not make an appearance… In 2022, appeared and started in three games… In 2021, did not see any action.
High School: Played three seasons for Lincoln Way-East of Frankfurt, Ill., one of the top high school programs in the state of Illinois… Team posted a 32-1 win-loss record with Stewart as the left tackle… Griffins were ranked #4 in the state in 2018, #1 in 2019, and #2 by MaxPreps for the 2020-21 season… Named by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association as an honorable mention all-state Class 8A award winner.
2023: Made two appearances on the offensive line during the 2023 season.
2022: Did not see any action during the 2022 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Hamilton High School in Chandler…Three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports…Logged 46 pancake blocks as a senior…Four-time all-conference and three-time all-state honoree…Helped lead team to 11-1 record and state open division semifinals as a senior…Excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-State honors twice and posting High Honor Roll distinctions all four years…Also competed in rugby, wrestling, and was a thrower on the track and field team.
2023: Appeared in and started 12 of 13 games during the 2023 season... Named one of eight captains prior to the start of the season... Made 55 total tackles (31 solo, 24 assists) including four tackles for a loss of 17 yards.. Posted one interception against Utah (11/18)... Notched nine pass breakups... Fifth on the team in tackles (55)... Tied for second on the team with one interception... Second on the team with nine pass breakups... Made season-high seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assists) against No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl 38-24 win to finish with 10 wins for the fourth time in program history and win seven straight games to tie for the longest in-season winning streak in program history.
2022: Appeared in 11 games making seven starts… Finished ninth on team in tackles with 42.0… Made one interception and returned it for 11 yards… Made 3.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups… Recorded 30 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles… Posted a season-high seven tackles on two separate occasions; first against Oregon on 10/8 (4 solo, 3 assists); second against Arizona State on 11/125 (5 solo, 2 assists)… Had made 81 total tackles with one interception and 12 pass breakups in his three seasons at Arizona.
2021: Logged time in all 12 games with five starts...Started the final four games of the season...Tallied 31 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and a team-high seven pass breakups...Key part of a Wildcats defense that allowed an average of just 190.1 passing yards per game, Arizona's first season under 200 YPG passing since 2008...Career-high seven tackles against Utah, also had one PBU...Career-high two PBU in week two against San Diego State.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Named Trinity League MVP at Mater Dei High School... Played in 35 games over four seasons on the varsity team, making 134 total tackles, averaging 3.8 tackles per game, and posting 22.5 tackles for loss... Recorded a high of 63 total tackles during senior season in 2022-23, including a high of 40 solo tackles... Becomes the second consecutive Trinity League MVP to sign with the Arizona Wildcats (WR Tetairoa McMillan, 2022)... Led the Monarchs to a 12-1 overall record and a 5-0 league record to finish second in California... A four-star linebacker with offers from Stanford, Cal, Colorado, FIU, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Texas, UCLA, and Washington... Rated the No. 30 linebacker and No. 24 overall player in California... Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen... Announced his decision to join Arizona at the 2023 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
High School: A dual sport athlete that played football and basketball at Iolani High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i... Played safety, tight end, and wide out on the football field and shooting forward and shooting guard on the basketball court... In 2023, was named Defensive Player of the Year... Helped Iolani High School football go 9-0 in 2021 and 6-1 in 2022 leading two top-16 state rankings each season with a high-water mark of No. 5 in 2021.
2023: Made one appearance against Arizona State (11/25)... Took a knee to finish off a 59-23 win over the Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup.
2022: Did not make an appearance during the 2022 season.
High School: Played quarterback at Oaks Christian... Appeared in 24 games over three seasons ... Completed 298 of 529 pass attempts for 3388 yards and 26 touchdowns... Averaged 141.2 yards per game and 11.4 yards per completion... Threw for career-high 15 touchdowns during his senior season when he tossed for 2193 total yards on 208 completions over 374 attempts... Rushed for 97 yards and six touchdowns.
High School: A four-star athlete (per Rivals.com) that played football at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona… Rated the No. 12 player in Arizona and No. 34 athlete… Received offers from Arizona State, Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nevada, New Mexico State, and Oregon… Played wide receiver and safety in high school… Recorded 2,460 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns on 147 receptions over three seasons on varsity… Posted career-high 1,141 receiving yards on 57 receptions and 17 touchdowns during his junior season in 2022… Made 116 tackles for his high school career, including 7.5 tackles for loss while averaging 3.2 tackles per game… Notched one sack and two hurries… Made 16 interceptions and gained 260 total yards on the returns.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: Prepped at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Calif. … Siaosi “Rhino” Tapa'atoutai played 12 games during his junior season on the defensive line, making two solo tackles prior to transitioning to offensive line for his final season in high school… Recruited by defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen… A three-star prospect with offers from Colorado, Arizona State, Hawai’i, Houston Christian, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, New Mexico State, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, SMU, Texas State, and UNLV.
Before Arizona: Over his career at Southern California (31 games) he has 46 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss (with 1 sack), 2 fumble recoveries and 2 QB hurries in his career while appearing in 31 games with 25 starts...
2023: Appeared in 12 games making nine total tackles (7 solo, 2 assists) with 0.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery...
2022: Ta’ufo’ou recorded 27 tackles, including 5.5 for loss of 14 yards (with 1 sack for minus 6 yards), 2 fumble recoveries and 2 QB hurries while appearing in all 14 games with 13 starts (all but the Cotton Bowl versus Tulane) as a redshirt junior in 2022…. Made 3 tackles, including 1 for loss of 1 yard against Stanford… Recorded 2 tackles, including 1 for loss of 6 yards (with 1 sack for minus 6 yards) against Fresno State… Tallied 3 tackles at Oregon State, including 1 for loss of 1 yard and a QB hurry… Notched 4 tackles against Arizona State and 2 against Washington State…. Collected 1 tackle and 1 fumble recovery at Utah… Posted 3 tackles, including 0.5 for loss of 3 yards at Arizona… 1 tackle, including 1 for loss of 1 yard versus California and 1 fumble recovery against Colorado… Tallied 2 tackles, including 1 for loss of 2 yards, at UCLA and 4 tackles against Notre Dame… Recorded 2 tackles and 1 QB hurry in the Pac-12 Championship against Utah...
2021: Ta’ufo’ou started on the defensive line as a redshirt sophomore in 2021… In 2021 appeared in 12 games and starting 9 times (all but UCLA, BYU, California), he had 18 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of 1 yard… Had 3 tackles (1 for a loss) against San Jose State, 2 tackles versus Stanford, 3 tackles against Oregon State, 2 tackles against Utah, 1 tackle against both Notre Dame and Arizona, 4 tackles (0.5 for loss) at Arizona State and 2 tackles versus BYU...
2020: Ta’ufo’ou was a backup defensive lineman as a redshirt freshman in 2020… Overall in 2020 while appearing in 2 games (Arizona State and Arizona), he made 1 tackle (at Arizona)...
2019: Ta’ufo’ou, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2019 after graduating a semester early from high school, saw brief action in 3 games (Arizona, California, Iowa) at defensive tackle as a first-year freshman in 2019, but did not make a tackle. He was able to redshirt.
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season... Redshirt.
High School: A dual sport athlete who played basketball and football… Appeared at power forward in basketball and tight end in football…. Recorded 50 total all-purpose yards over two games during his senior season on varsity… A three-star prospect (247Sports), who is rated the No. 12 tight end in Washington and No. 51 tight end overall… Held offers from Oregon State, Arizona State, Florida Atlantic, Nevada, Washington, and Washington State… Recruited by tight ends coach and special team’s coordinator Jordan Paopao.
2023: Appeared in all 13 games, making one start against UTEP during the 2023 season... Made career-high 21 tackles (8 solo, 13 assists) with 4.5 tackles for a loss of 19 yards and one sack for a loss of nine yards... Posted one block... Tallied season-high four tackles (2 solo, 2 assists) against Oregon State (10/28).
2022: Appeared in eight games, starting the final five games of the regular season… Made 14 total tackles (7 solo, 7 assists) including one tackle for loss (one sack for minus 12 yards)… Recovered one fumble at Utah on 11/5… Made first sack of career at UCLA on 11/12… Made season-high three tackles against Utah, UCLA, and Washington State (11/19)… Posted two tackles in the Territorial Cup 38-35 win over Arizona State (11/25)... One of two freshman to make five or more starts on the defensive side of the ball (LB Jacob Manu).
2023: Did not make an appearance during the 2023 season.
High School: Prepped at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz.
Before Arizona: Did not make an appearance in one season at Ottawa University (Redshirt, 2023)... At Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz., rushed for 2,058 yards and 24 touchdowns over three seasons (32 games) on varsity... Averaged a career-best 112.5 yards per game during senior season in 2021... Rushed for 100-plus yards during seven games in final season at Salpointe... Averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 64.3 yards per game for his high school career.
Before Arizona: Utilized a redshirt while appearing in one game as a true freshman at Oregon … Saw the field in Oregon’s win over Stanford (Oct. 1), playing two snaps at right tackle… High School: A consensus three-star recruit … A top-50 recruit among offensive tackles by Rivals (No. 41) and the 247 composite (No. 47) … Ranked No. 61 at the position by 247Sports and ESPN … The No. 30 player in California according to Rivals … Ranked No. 47 in the state by the 247 composite, and No. 61 by both ESPN and 247Sports … The second-best offensive tackle in California by Rivals and the 247 composite … Rated as the No. 3 tackle in the state by ESPN and 247Sports … A three-year letterwinner … As a senior, named first-team all-state by SBLive, in addition to being a preseason MaxPreps All-California pick.