As Arizona continues to fill holes in the roster on National Signing Day, the Wildcats have picked up three more commitments on the defensive side of the ball, including two JUCO pickups from Northern California.
Kevon Darton, a defensive lineman from Syracuse, will be entering his sixth season of college football when he suits up for the Wildcats this fall. After redshirting in 2019 as a walk-on, Darton has seen more and more playing time each season with the Orange. In 2022, he was placed on scholarship, and went on to start 11 of the Orange’s 13 games. Last season, the Burlsworth Trophy nominee started all 13 of Syracuse’s games, tallying 42 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss for 34 yards, and five sacks for 26 yards. He also had a forced fumble at Purdue and a fumble recovery against Pitt.
He figures to be a key piece of Arizona’s defensive line rotation next season, with senior defensive tackle Bill Norton as the only returning starter for the Wildcats next season.
Cyrus Durham is a 6’4, 240-pound outside linebacker from College of San Mateo, a JUCO in Northern California. During his freshman season, Durham tallied 66 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss for 88 yards, and 10.5 sacks for 69 yards, as well as a fumble recovery for the Bulldogs.
Durham, who took an official visit to Arizona on February 2, also held offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Florida International, Nevada, and UC Davis.
Johno Price is the second commitment on Wednesday to come from the College of San Mateo. In his freshman season with the Bulldogs, Price appeared in nine games, where he finished with 16 total tackles, as well as a sack, four pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Price, who also held offers from San Jose State, Bowling Green, and Cal, ultimately committed to the Wildcats after taking an official visit to Arizona over the weekend on February 3.