NFL camps are underway, and Arizona’s footprint is everywhere.
Nearly two dozen former Wildcats are trying to turn summer reps into roster spots, with a mix of draft picks, undrafted free agents and veteran holdovers all fighting for jobs across the league.
The newest wave of ex-Wildcats came out of the 2026 NFL Draft, when Arizona had four defensive backs selected in April. Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson landed with the Las Vegas Raiders, Genesis Smith went to the Los Angeles Chargers and Michael Dansby joined the Seattle Seahawks.
They’re part of a larger group from last year’s Arizona team still chasing NFL opportunities, including center Ka’ena Decambra, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. Wide receiver Luke Wysong is with the Minnesota Vikings, defensive lineman Deshawn McKnight is in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and linebacker Riley Wilson most recently signed with the New England Patriots.
Arizona’s 2025 draft class is all in camp too. Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan is with the Carolina Panthers, while running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is with the Washington Commanders, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea is with the Miami Dolphins and kicker Tyler Loop is with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Wildcats’ 2024 draftees are still hanging around as well, and two of them are now teammates in San Francisco. Tight end Tanner McLachlan, originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, recently signed with the 49ers and will join former Arizona receiver Jacob Cowing there. Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan remains with the Green Bay Packers.
There’s more Arizona presence beyond that. Gary Brightwell is still with the Bengals and Roy Lopez remains with the Cardinals after both entered the league in 2021. Undrafted kicker Lucas Havrisik is back with Green Bay after setting the franchise record for longest field goal last fall.
Arizona also has three kickers in the NFL, and one of them is still defying time. Nick Folk signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the spring and is set for his 18th season. At 41, he’s the active leader in field goals made with 431, which puts him 12th in NFL history.
Veteran linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles is entering his seventh season and his first with the Buffalo Bills after signing as a free agent in the offseason.
Two more players who started their college careers at Arizona but finished elsewhere are also in camp: linebacker Tony Fields II with the Chicago Bears and cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Preseason games kick off Aug. 6 with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. That matchup features the Cardinals, with Decambra and Lopez, against the Panthers and McMillan.
In Other News...
Arizonas Quarterback Room Carries One Huge Camp Question
Arizona enters training camp on Aug. 5 with the quarterback room still centered on Noah Fifita, who is projected to open his final season as the starter after already putting his name in the school record book for touchdown passes and career yardage. The bigger picture for the Wildcats is what last seasons offensive progress can carry forward, especially after coaching changes helped stabilize the unit and give Fifita a cleaner platform to build on.
Sawyer Anderson gives Arizona a developmental backup with a year of scout-team work behind him, while newcomer Oscar Rios adds another layer of intrigue to a room that suddenly has more long-term shape than it did a year ago. For now, though, the most important question is how much of the quarterback conversation will be about depth and future planning, and how much of it will still revolve around Fifitas final run and the record chase that comes with it. [Read more 🡒]