One of the Wildcats’ most prolific defensive backs over the last three year has played his final game in red and blue and his set his sights on the next level. On Sunday, Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, two days after opting out of the Holiday Bowl.
“To my teammates, who will forever be my brothers–thank you for making this experience unforgettable,” Smith said in a social media post announcing his declaration for the draft. “The bond we have built through early morning workouts, extra work, and games is something I will always cherish.”
Smith, along with senior defensive backs Dalton Johnson and Treydan Stukes, chose not to participate in the Holiday Bowl matchup against SMU Friday, which Arizona lost 24-19.
The 6-foot-2 Smith finished fourth on the team this year with 77 tackles. He also had nine pass deflections, an interception, and two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries for the Wildcats, earning himself a Third-Team All-Big-12 selection.
Smith appeared in 35 games over three seasons at Arizona, finishing his career with 165 tackles, five interceptions, 19 pass deflections, and four forced fumbles. He entered the transfer portal after the 2024 season, but elected to return to Tucson this past year.
As a sophomore, Smith also founded a non-profit foundation, the Genesis Smith Foundation, and started Christmas Cats in honor of his late grandmother, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Per its website, the foundation “continues her legacy by providing financial assistance, resources, and essential support to families and communities in need, helping them access opportunities, stability, and hope.”
Current draft projections have Smith as a Day 3 pick. If drafted, he would be Arizona’s first defensive back taken since Dane Cruikshank in 2018, who was selected in the fifth round by the Tennessee Titans.