NCAA Transfer Portal: Arizona Wildcats Passing Out Name Tags for Revamped Roster
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Arizona Wildcat fans have to be frustrated with the ongoing product on the field. It would be a blessing to return to the days of hoping to get over the proverbial hump in the Pac-12 during the Mike Stoops (2004-11) and Rich Rodriguez (2012-17) era as opposed to the disarray created under former head coach Kevin Sumlin. In three seasons, Sumlin produced nine wins ending the 2020 effort winless (0-5). With renewed optimism, the Arizona loyalist turn to longtime NFL quarterback coach/offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch to turn the fortunes around on the field.
With all respect to the players signed, Sumlin’s efforts on the recruiting trail matched the product on the field. Sumlin and Co. never challenged Pac-12 competition for top players finishing the 2018 recruiting haul slotted No. 61 in the country followed by No. 56 in 2019 and No. 59 in 2020. With the lack of top players, team speed, and overall athleticism, the new staff is turning to the NCAA Transfer Portal for help.
The revolving door at the Arizona football facilities may necessitate “Hello, My Name is” name tags to keep up with the fresh faces. So far, 13 have decided to leave the program with 13 incoming. The focus on signing players has been on defense with eight newcomers on the roster. The oddity, eight offensive players have left the program.
Two former 4-Stars were added to the roster, Isaiah Rutherford from Notre Dame and Jason Harris out of Colorado. That is one more 4-Star than what has been signed via the recruiting trail since the 2018 season. As part of the 2019 class, 4-Star receiver Jalen Curry signed with Arizona as a packaged deal with high school teammate Grant Gunnell, who is now at Memphis.
Seeing Double: Receiver Majon Wright transferred to Middle Tennessee and then transferred back to Arizona.
A couple of recruiting battles were won on campus keeping quarterback Gunner Cruz, and receivers Jalen Curry, Jamarye Joiner, and Stanely Berryhill after each threw their respective names into the transfer portal hat.
The coaching staff scrambled to put together the 2021 recruiting class that was ranked No. 78 in the nation by 24/7Sports. When fall practices begin, all will have to come together in time for the season opener on Sept. 4 with a neutral site game at Allegiant Stadium (NV) against BYU.
Arizona Wildcats
Players Heading to Tucson (13)
3-Star QB Jordan McCloud – from South Florida
2-Star QB Nick Moore – from Oregon State
3-Star RB Drake Anderson – from Northwestern
3-Star WR Majon Wright – to Middle Tennessee
3-Star OG Davis DiVall – from Baylor
4-Star DE Jason Harris – from Colorado
3-Star DT Leevel Tatum – from Fresno State
3-Star LB Treshaun Hayward – from Western Michigan
3-Star LB Malik Reed – from Wisconsin
2-Star LB Kenny Hebert – from Vanderbilt
2- Star LB Jerry Roberts – from Bowling Green
3-Star DB Gunner Maldonado – from Northwestern
4-Star CB Isaiah Rutherford – from Notre Dame
Players Leaving Arizona (13)
3-Star QB Grant Gunnell – to Memphis
3-Star QB Kevin Doyle – undecided
3-Star QB Rhette Rodriquez – undecided
3-Star WR Drew Dixon – undecided
3-Star WR Brenden Schooler – to Texas
3-Star WR Majon Wright – to Middle Tennessee
3-Star OG Robert Congel – to Oklahoma
3-Star OG Jamari Williams – to Middle Tennessee
3-Star DE Kylan Wilborn – to UNLV
3-Star LB Colin Schooler – to Texas Tech
3-Star CB Khary Crump – to Michigan State
3-Star CB Edric Whitley – undecided
3-Star DB Jarrius Wallace – undecided
Photo credit: Arizona Daily Star; WR Majon Wright