By Tony Thomas
Coming off their just their fourth 10-win season in school history, the Arizona Wildcats have a new head coach in Brent Brennan, formerly of San Jose State, taking over for Jedd Fisch who moved on to Washington. And, the Wildcats begin play in the Big XII this season, a result of the implosion of the venerable PAC-12 Conference.
Arizona won their final seven games to finish the 2023 season in historic fashion. The Wildcats return 66% of their production from last season, consisting of approximately 12 starters and/or key contributors on both sides of the ball.
Included among those returning starters are QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan, who will be one of the top QB/WR duos in the Big XII this season. Fifita will be protected behind a 1,300-pound wall of humanity as their offensive line returns basically intact. Fifita was named the 2023 FWAA Offensive Freshman Player of the Year and PAC-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Brennan earned his pay on day one by convincing Fifita to return to the Wildcats.
On defense, the Wildcats return their leading tackler, LB Jacob Manu, who stopped everything in sight to the tune of 116 tackles on his way to 1st Team All-PAC 12 honors. In addition, Arizona will field an experienced and talented secondary, led by FS Gunner Maldonado. Maldonado was the Defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl vs Oklahoma: nine tackles, one INT, 2 fumble recoveries (one was returned for an 87-yard score).
Coach Brennan also went into the transfer portal to find talent to provide depth and to fill positions of need, especially at running back. Below are three transfers that will make an impact for the Wildcats this season.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Previous School: New Mexico Lobos
5’11”, 204 lbs.
3rd in the Mountain West Conference in rushing in 2023, Jacory Croskey-Merritt earned 2nd Team All-Mountain West Conference honors after rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt ranked in the Top 30 in rushing (23rd in rushing yards, and 5th in rushing touchdowns) and averaged over six yards per carry. In addition, Croskey-Merritt recorded four games over 100 yards rushing, including two games over 200 yards, with a season-high of 233 yards coming against Utah State.
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What a run by Jacory Croskey-Merritt! 😮
TD @UNMLoboFB 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gzgtjBaqRw
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 19, 2023
The Wildcats rushing attack averaged just 139 yards per game on the ground, bad enough for #86 in the FBS. So, Croskey-Merritt fills a critical position of need that was also gutted by entries into the transfer portal.
RB Quali Conley
Previous School: San Jose State Spartans
5’10”, 207 lbs.
Averaging over six yards per carry last season, Quali Conley rushed for 842 yards and nine touchdowns. In addition, Conley added 269 yards receiving on 27 catches. Conley turned three games of 100 yards rushing and two games with multiple rushing touchdowns.
San Jose State gets on the scoreboard first with a five-yard touchdown run by Quali Conley.
Drive Summary: 12 plays, 93 yards, 6:40.
San Jose State 7
Hawai‘i 0
4:07, 1st quarter#HawaiiFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/mciYC3PsRn— Spectrum Sports HI (@specsportshi) October 29, 2023
Against New Mexico, Conley rushed 10 times for 123 yards (12-yard average) and a touchdown in a 52-14 victory. In a victory over San Diego State, Conley posted a season-high 155 yards rushing on 13 carries (11.92 avg) and a score in a 24-13 win.
Conley will be a great partner for Croskey-Merritt as they could form one of the best backfields in the Big XII.
DL Kevon Darton
Previous School: Syracuse Orange
6’0”, 271 lbs.
In 2023, Kevon Darton racked up 42 tackles for the Orange. In addition, Darton recorded eight tackles for loss, five sacks, three quarterback pressures, and a forced fumble. The former walk-on recorded six or more tackles in three games last season. Against Wake Forest, Darton recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss, along with four tackles in a 35-31 victory over the Demon Deacons. For his collegiate career, Darton has 110 tackles to his credit.
Arizona returns talent at the skill positions for an offense that ranked in the Top 20, including 8th in passing offense. On defense, they return talent and experience for a unit that ranked in the Top 30 in rushing defense and scoring defense.
Dino Babers, a desciple of Art Briles’ Veer-and-Shoot is the new offensive coordinator in Tucson, and if he can replicate the offensive production of a season ago with the above talent, the Wildcats will be a force in the Big XII and prowling and growling toward the expanded College Football Playoff.
