Arizona’s defense has been a major storyline this season, with the Wildcats boasting one of the top groups in the Big 12 and nation. That squad took a huge hit on Thursday just days ahead of hosting No. 18 BYU. Defensive end Tre Smith will be out for the remainder of the season after successfully undergoing surgery on Thursday, Brent Brennan confirmed.
“We love Tre Smith. An awesome player and an awesome human being,” said Brent Brennan on Thursday following the announcement. He did not elaborate further on the details of Tre Smith’s injury.
Smith is one of a number of players to follow Brent Brennan and the staff from San Jose State to Arizona ahead of the 2024 season. Last year, Smith was a force to be reckoned with, finishing with 53 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as forced fumble.
The veteran got off to a bit of a slower start in 2025, notching just seven tackles and one tackle for loss, as well as fumble recovery in the 41-13 win over Oklahoma State. Smith suffered an injury in the game against Weber State, before missing the Wildcats’ matchup against Kansas State on September 12. It is unclear if that injury is related to Thursday’s development.
With Tre Smith sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Wildcats will look to senior Alcorn State transfer Malachi Bailey to step into the starting defensive end role opposite Dominic Lolesio. Bailey has six tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks through five games this season. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales could also pivot to a more linebacker heavy scheme with Riley Wilson, Chase Kennedy, Taye Brown, and Max Harris, something he showed glimpses of against Oklahoma State.