With fall training camp just around the corner, we looked into some of the transfer portal additions for Arizona and made a list of who just might be the most impactful this season.
Head coach Brent Brennan and his staff added 27 new players from the portal, which included senior tight end Keyan Burnett. He transferred to Kansas in the spring before returning to the Wildcats.
Here are seven players from the portal who could have the most impact for the 2025 season:
RB Ismail Mahdi
One of the more highly thought of additions, Mahdi will be replacing Quali Conley’s production, while also bringing the explosiveness that Rayshon Luke had with UA.
Last season, he had 911 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Combining his rushing production with 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns, he poses a threat for any defense.
Mahdi has had zero career fumbles, and if he can sustain that with the Wildcats, the running attack will see improvement from last season.
In 2023, he ran for over 1,300 yards and had ten touchdowns. It is easy to see how much Mahdi is capable of producing.
WR Kris Hutson
With the loss of Tetairoa McMillan, the Wildcats are in search of their next leading wide receiver. Hutson comes from Washington State with 683 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Overall, he has played three full seasons, two with Oregon and last season with the Cougars. Similar to Mahdi, he has zero career fumbles.
Pairing along with Chris Hunter, and fellow transfers Luke Wysong and Tre Spivey III, the wide receiver core should be able to continue the production of McMillan.
One of the many threats Hutson brings is the ability to execute and catch deep balls. He has career longs of 59, 58, and 50 yard catches in three of his four seasons.
OL Ty Buchanan
Similar to the defensive front, the Arizona offense will only go as far as the offensive line can take them. Whether it’s opening up running lanes for the running backs or giving Noah Fifita enough time.
Buchanan is going to be a key factor in helping the Wildcats offense improve from last season. Listed as a tackle, it will be interesting to see where Buchanan ends up.
He could be protecting the blindside of Fifita, or having to replace the vacancy of Jonah Savaiinaea. Buchanan will also be needed as an overall team leader.
Coming to Tucson with having played three seasons, his experience and maturity can help lead to a more productive Arizona offense.
DL Tiaoalii Savea
Another player who left Tucson and decided to come back, Savea did not play much in his one season at Texas. He played just five games and only recorded four tackles.
However, in his first two seasons with the Wildcats he totaled 36 tackles.
Now he may not be a stat stuffer, but his ability to hold the line and allow for linebackers and other lineman to do damage will be key to an improved defensive front.
While his first two seasons were under former coach Jedd Fisch, his commitment to come back to UA goes to show his belief in Brennan as well as new defensive line coach Joe Salave’a.
LB/Edge Riley Wilson
With 83 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, Wilson can have an impact in many different ways.
While Wilson is designated as a linebacker on the athletics website, he has the range to play on the front as well.
At 6’2’’ and 230 pounds, Wilson has the size to battle up front, but has the motor to play linebacker.
His ability to interchange and go wherever defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales needs him to be. Wilson is also the second highest graded returning Big 12 linebacker, according to PFF.
LB Max Harris
With the departure of Washington transfer Jacob Manu, there is a void next to starting linebacker Taye Brown.
Coming from Texas State with 123 career tackles in two seasons, Harris might be Brown’s right hand man. He also has two career forced fumbles and an interception.
Being able to make plays is something that was missing from the linebackers group last season. While Harris has not been able to get to the quarterback a lot in his career, the revamped defensive front should allow for both Harris and Brown to make more plays.
DB Michael Dansby
The senior transfer from San Jose State had 37 tackles last season, along with two interceptions. Dansby had 31 tackles and 3 interceptions in his first two seasons combined.
In the 2023 season, his last season with Brennan, he had a 98 yard pick six. Pairing with his play making ability, he comes with three seasons under his belt.
Given that Arizona lost a great deal of experience in transfers like Gunner Maldonado, Dansby will help to fill that void.