Highlighted by five-ranked wins, including a comeback win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl, Arizona finished with its first 10-win season since 2014. Over the weekend, that success was reflected in Detroit, as three Wildcats heard their names called in the 2024 NFL Draft. It marks the first time three Arizona players were selected in the NFL Draft since 2014, as Jordan Morgan was selected in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, Jacob Cowing was selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers, and Tanner McLachlan was selected in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jordan Morgan
The former Arizona offensive tackle was drafted 25th-overall on Thursday night by the Green Bay Packers. Morgan is the first Wildcat offensive lineman drafted since Eben Britton was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is also the first first-round selection since defensive back Antoine Cason was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2008.
The Marana, AZ native is Arizona’s 11th first-round selection and the 10th-highest drafted player in program history.
During his time at Arizona, Morgan started 37 games for the Wildcats, including two as a true freshman in 2019. After injuring his left knee at UCLA in 2022, he elected to return to Arizona for his fifth season, where he boosted drafted stock. He allowed just two sacks and earned AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and First-Team All-Pac-12 Honors.
Jacob Cowing
After three seasons at UTEP, Jacob Cowing took a chance transferring to Arizona fresh off a 1-11 season. After two seasons, 175 receptions, 1,882 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns, that chance paid off for the Maricopa, AZ native. On Saturday, Jacob Cowing was drafted with the 135th-overall pick in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers.
During Cowing’s 2023 campaign, he set an Arizona single-season record with 13 touchdown receptions. His seven-reception, 152-yard, two-touchdown performance against Oklahoma in San Antonio earned him Valero Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP honors. Cowing also finished his collegiate career with 4,477 receiving yards, which led all active FBS players.
He joins a San Francisco squad known for its “West Coast” style offensive, led by head coach Kyle Shanahan, in what is expected to be a perfect fit for the electric pass-catcher.
Tanner McLachlan
From Alberta, Canada, to Southern Utah, to Arizona, and now to the NFL. On Saturday, Tanner McLachlan was drafted in the sixth round with the 194th-overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. During his two seasons at Arizona, McLachlan hauled in 79 receptions, 984 yards, and six touchdowns. His 79 receptions are the most by a tight end in Arizona program history, surpassing future-NFL Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski.
He’s the first tight end drafted from Arizona since Gronk, and just the eighth tight end drafted from the UA. He is also the first player to be drafted by the Bengals since Marquis Flowers was in the sixth round of the 2014 draft – also the last time Arizona had three players selected in an NFL Draft.
Four Wildcats also signed UDFA deals. Two running backs and two defensive linemen are heading to the NFL as free agents.
- Running back Michael Wiley signed with the Washington Commanders (invited to NFL Combine).
- Defensive lineman Tyler Manoa will join the Minnesota Vikings.
- Edge rusher Taylor Upshaw is heading to the Carolina Panthers.
- Running back DJ Williams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.