Some of the best stories in college football are the ones that happen off the field. Because the passion, heart, and love that makes college football special doesn’t just happen on Saturdays. One of those special moments is watching a walk-on’s hard work and effort get rewarded with a scholarship, which is exactly what happened for Arizona safety Quinn Olson ahead of his first career start on Saturday against the NAU Lumberjacks.
During one of the Wildcats’ night practices this week, Arizona head coach Brent Brennan gathered the entire team on the field to share the news that Olson will be on scholarship for the 2026 season. The team immediately erupted into cheers and excitement, with some of Olson’s teammates lifting him up in celebration following the news.
Throughout the spring and during fall camp, Olson has emerged as a rising star in Arizona’s secondary, which is looking to replace plenty of experience after sending five players to the NFL this season. One of those players, is Treydan Stukes, the Las Vegas Raiders’ second-round draft pick, whose journey at Arizona also began as a walk-on safety, and who Olson has garnered a lot of comparison to.
“Quinn in my opinion could be the next Treydan Stukes story here at Arizona in terms of a walk-on turning into a really good player,” said safeties coach Brett Arce during fall camp.
Olson says to even be in the conversation with a player like Stukes, who has become a household name in Tucson, is an honor.
“Stukes, he’s a great player,” said Olson near the conclusion of fall camp. “If I can be anywhere near as good as him, I think I’ll turn out okay. If I can be like him, I’ll be happy.”
While Dalton Johnson, Genesis Smith, and even Gunner Maldonado helped grow and develop Olson during his first two seasons, Quinn says it really was Stukes who helped him focus in and control what he can control.
“One of them is called chop wood carry water and it’s basically just talks about surrendering the outcome, just controlling the controllables, and whatever happens, it happens and you just got to move on from it.”
The junior from Sioux City, Iowa, took a leap of faith and trusted his friends, family, and coaches when decided to make the trip from the Hawkeye State to the Old Pueblo. His high school coach, Anthony Thomas, was a player at Arizona in the late 90’s and early 2000’s and knew Duane Akina, who served as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator in 2024 during Brennan’s first season. He was also familiar with the Wildcats because of his sister, Natalie, who was a member of the Arizona Pomline, part of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band.
The former two-way player in high school, who was also a quarterback, knew if he wanted to play in college he’d have to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Now, that focus, help from guys like Stukes, and his own grit and determination, have landed him a scholarship and opportunity to start.