The Arizona Wildcats are having one of the best offseasons in the Big 12, according to ESPN’s Eli Lederman, Max Olson and Adam Rittenberg.
Taking a look at the Power Four conferences and Notre Dame, Arizona found itself ranked third in the Big 12 despite starting defensive backs Treydan Stukes, Genesis Smith and Dalton Johnson heading to the NFL.
What went wrong: The Wildcats have enjoyed a relatively smooth offseason since breaking through with a 9-4 run in Brennan’s second season. They knew they’d need to replace four NFL draft picks in the secondary in Stukes, Johnson, Smith and Michael Dansby, and 10 more starters who graduated, but there was enough trust in the depth they’re developing that this year’s team did not require a portal-heavy overhaul. In addition to the secondary, they’ll need new leaders to step up at wide receiver for Kris Hutson, Javin Whatley and Luke Wysong, and must replace the production of Ismail Mahdi after he put up 1,060 all-purpose yards last season.
On the flip side, the Wildcats were able to snag some top talent in wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III, tight end Cole Rusk and safety Cam Chapa. Other incoming options include recruits Prince Williams, quarterback Oscar Rios and wide receiver R.J. Mosley.
There’s also the return of quarterback Noah Fifita for Arizona to lean on.
What went right: Quarterback Noah Fifita returns for his fourth season as the Wildcats’ starter and is 829 yards away from becoming the program’s all-time leading passer. Brennan said he believes Fifita should be a Heisman contender this season.
In 13 games last year, Fifita completed 64.3% of his throws for 3,228 yards and 29 touchdowns to six interceptions. He added another three scores on the ground.
The ESPN analysts also pinpointed pass rusher Tre Smith, linebacker Taye Brown and cornerback Jay’Vion Cole as key cogs to Danny Gonzales’ defense.
Arizona State not much further down the list
Coming in with the seventh-best offseason among Big 12 teams was ASU.
Among the biggest moves referenced for the Sun Devils was the retention of head coach Kenny Dillingham following all the Michigan chatter earlier this offseason.
Biggest coaching move: Arizona State retained coach Kenny Dillingham with an enhanced contract and further commitments to the program after he was linked to vacancies at LSU and Michigan. Dillingham again kept the core of his staff together, as coordinators Marcus Arroyo (offense) and Brian Ward (defense) are back.
ESPN’s analysts also like what ASU did from a talent acquisition standpoint, highlighted by former Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley and signal-calling recruit Jake Fette. Wide receivers Reed Harris and Omarion Miller were also big gets.
The more talent, the better for the Sun Devils, who have to make up for plenty of departures this offseason.
What went wrong: Arizona State returns only three of the 25 players who started six or more games last season. The program is working to replace 18 starters who graduated or declared for the draft plus four more — Leavitt (LSU), running back Raleek Brown (Texas), tackle Josh Atkins (Missouri) and defensive back Javan Robinson (Wisconsin) — who moved on via the transfer portal.
Texas Tech took home the top offseason honors for the Big 12, though one of the Red Raiders’ key additions — quarterback Brendan Sorsby — is under NCAA investigation and seeking treatment for a gambling addiction.
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