After a strong season under Rich Rodriguez last year, Kevin Sumlin will come to Tuscon to try to keep the momentum going for the Wildcats. Sumlin will have a ton of weapons on the offense with the electric tandem of Khalil Tate and JJ Taylor returning. Tate burst onto the scene last year after the injury to starting QB Brandon Dawkins and took the job from him, never giving it back. Taylor was just a redshirt freshman last year and in his first full year as a starter was super productive despite his size. While 2018 Arizona may not win the Pac 12 South, they will be one of the most fun teams in the entire country to watch.
Prestige Rating (If NCAA Football Still Existed): 3 Stars
Last Year’s Record: 7-6 (5-4)
Projected Returning Starters
Offense (8)
QB Khalil Tate, RB JJ Taylor, WR Shun Brown, WR Shawn Poindexter, WR Tony Ellison, TE Bryce Wolma, C Nathan Eldridge, T Layth Friekh
There are a ton of playmakers returning. The only question will be the three new starters on the offensive line.
Defense (9)
DE Justin Belknap, NG Dereck Boles, OLB Kylan Wilbourn, ILB Tony Fields, ILB Colin Schooler, CB Lorenzo Burns, CB Jace Whittaker, S Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, S Scott Young
While this defense was not good last year by any means, bringing back a ton of experience should lead to improvement.
Special Teams (2)
K Lucas Havrisik, PR Shun Brown
Brown comes back as the punt returner after getting two scores off of returns last season. Havrisik only received limited action last year and was mainly the kickoff specialist. The punter this year will be Dylan Klumpf, a grad transfer from Cal.
Key Losses: Dane Cruikshank
Cruikshank was maybe the most talented individual on this defense last year. The linebacker/DB combo racked up 75 tackles last year, as well as five pass breakups and three interceptions, before becoming a fifth round selection by the Tennessee Titans. Without Cruikshank, the team will have to find another guy who can replace his versatility.
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 43
Alcohol Prediction for Fans by Season’s End: Scotch
If it’s a good one, it’ll have a strong finish.
The Tyrell Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team: Thiyo Lukusa
Outlook
Arizona’s schedule is really not that difficult. USC and Oregon are the hardest games on the schedule, and both take place at home. A road matchup against Ed Oliver and Houston may prove to be difficult, as well as a Friday night to trip to Utah. Realistically, there are at least 7-8 wins on the schedule and I wouldn’t be surprised with 9-10 depending on how quickly Kevin Sumlin gets these guys rolling.