TUCSON – The Arizona Wildcats wrapped up their 2025 spring football camp with the Spring Showcase on Saturday. It was a celebratory vibe inside Arizona Stadium, as fans gathered for an afternoon of fun for all ages. The north side of the field played host to the fan zone, where roughly 1,500 fans enjoyed a beer garden, live music produced by “Dusk Music Festival,” inflatable slides, and an Easter egg hunt.
Members from several of Arizona’s other athletic teams, including volleyball, gymnastics, and swimming and diving, were also in attendance participating in games and skills challenges for kids. The evening concluded with a showing of “Cars”, where fans were able to set up blankets and chairs on the turf and enjoy the movie from the big screen. All in all, Saturday’s fan fest-style event was a fun and engaging way to cap off the Wildcats’ five-week spring schedule.
Here are notes and takeaways from the 2025 Arizona Spring Showcase:
Offense:
- The starting offense included left tackle Ty Buchanan, left guard Chubba Ma’ae, center Ka’ena Decambra, right guard Alexander Doost, and right tackle Michael Wooten. Noah Fifita led the offense at quarterback, while Ismail Mahdi got the nod at running back, and Sam Olson lined up at tight end. Wide receivers included Kris Hutson, Javin “Nunu” Whatley, and Chris Hunter III.
- Tyler Powell had an early touchdown reception of around 50 yards from backup quarterback Braedyn Locke.
- Brandon Phelps secured a twisting touchdown reception over San Jose State transfer cornerback Michael Dansby.
- Quincy Craig had back-to-back runs of 15+ yards. With Utah transfer Mike Mitchell out for the season, Craig is likely to see a larger role this fall.
- Tre Spivey size was on full display in his 30-yard high-point catch on a pass from Braedyn Locke.
- Former Arizona center Josh Baker was seen with a headset and clipboard working with Josh Oglesby and the offensive line.
- Freshman running back and early enrollee Cornelius Warren III showed off his wheels with a 43-yard touchdown run.
Defense:
- The starting defense included defensive lineman Tre Smith and Dominic Lolesio on the edge, and Tiaoalii Savea and Leroy Palu on the interior. Linebackers included Taye Brown and Max Harris, and the secondary featured Genesis Smith, Dalton Johnson, Jay’Vion Cole, Marquis Groves-Killebrew, and Ayden Garnes.
- Deshawn McKnight, who has been a standout this spring, did not practice with the team tonight. He has primarily started along the defensive interior alongside Savea.
- Genesis Smith came down with an interception on Noah Fifita during the opening drive of the first period.
- The defense worked on an athleticism drill between offense vs. defense drills. One surprise standout was Isaiah Johnson, who showed off an impressive vertical jump clearing some pads. Johnson is listed at 6-foot-1 and 311 pounds.
- Danny Gonzales’ “stop the run” mentality was on display throughout the night. Marquis Groves-Killebrew came off the edge on a cornerback blitz got into the backfield.
- Jabari Mann was one of the hardest hitting players on the field tonight. Earlier in the week, special teams coordinator Craig Naivar called him a “standout” this spring.
- JUCO transfer Elijah Brown capped off the night with a strip sack, fumble recovery, and fumble return for a touchdown against freshman quarterback Sawyer Anderson.
Other Observations:
- Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft next week, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and kicker Tyler Loop were in attendance. Both are expected to be drafted, with McMillan likely to be a top-10 selection.
- 2026 commits linebacker Dash Fifita and safety Hamisi Juma were in attendance. Fifita is the reigning Trinity League MVP and younger brother of starting quarterback, Noah Fifita.
- 2025 Arizona Basketball signee and the No. 8 prospect in the nation Koa Peat was in the house.