Arizona’s secondary makeover took a hit on National Signing Day, as one of the Wildcats’ newest additions is already heading elsewhere. Cornerback Brandon Holmes, a junior college standout from Fresno City College, has been released from his commitment to Arizona and signed with Utah instead.
Holmes had committed to Arizona just last month and was part of a massive defensive back haul aimed at retooling the Wildcats’ secondary. He was one of eight defensive backs Arizona added this offseason - seven of them via the transfer portal - as the program looked to reload after several key departures.
Despite Holmes’ exit, Arizona’s cornerback room remains crowded with new faces and returning talent. Among the incoming transfers are Oregon safety Daylen Austin, Nebraska safety Malcolm Hartzog, Wyoming corner Tyrese Boss, Northern Colorado safety Cam Chapa, UConn safety Lee Molette III, Charlotte corner Dwight Bootle II, and Howard corner Zuri Watson. That’s a full reload, and it’s clear Arizona is betting big on experience and versatility in the back end.
Boss, Bootle, and Watson are expected to be in the mix at corner, joining a group that still has some proven playmakers. Senior Jay’Vion Cole returns as the headliner after a strong 2025 season that saw him finish second in the Big 12 with four interceptions - one of which he returned for a touchdown in a dominant 48-3 win over Weber State. His leadership and ball skills will be crucial as the Wildcats integrate so many new pieces.
There’s also young talent returning. Freshmen Swayde Griffin and Dajon Hinton saw action in the Holiday Bowl, with Hinton getting the start in place of Treydan Stukes before going down with a leg injury in the first half. Redshirt junior Johno Price, who logged 81 defensive snaps last season, is expected to return and add depth.
Arizona didn’t just hit the portal - they’ve also brought in some promising high school talent. Four-star corner Xaier Hiler, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound prospect out of the Dallas area, headlines the incoming freshman class. And there’s a familiar name joining the program as a preferred walk-on: Kingston Spivey, a corner from Chandler Hamilton, is the younger brother of wide receiver Tre Spivey and the son of former Tucson Sidewinders standout Junior Spivey.
The Wildcats’ cornerback revamp comes in response to significant losses. Starters Ayden Garnes, Michael Dansby, and Treydan Stukes are all gone, as are Marquis Groves-Killebrew and Gianni Edwards. That’s a lot of experience out the door - and it’s why Arizona’s staff was aggressive in the portal and on the recruiting trail.
As it stands, Arizona’s 2026 recruiting class (excluding transfers) sits sixth in the Big 12 and 45th nationally, per 247Sports. The roster currently includes 105 players, a reflection of the staff’s full-throttle approach to building depth and competition across the board.
Losing Holmes stings - anytime you lose a player before he even suits up, it’s a setback. But with the talent Arizona has brought in, especially in the secondary, the Wildcats still look well-positioned to field a competitive and deep defensive backfield this fall.