Arizona football notebook: Wildcats land offensive linemen from Georgia Tech, Texas Tech; ex-UA tight end headed to Kansas

Of all the needs Arizona has this offseason, offensive line is at the top of the list. The Wildcats must replace three starters, including one that could get drafted in the first round, and many of their returning linemen struggled mightily in 2024.

The UA took the first step(s) in shoring up the O-line on Friday, getting commitments from a pair of transfers who come from other power conference schools.

Arizona has added former Texas Tech offensive tackle Ty Buchanan and ex-Georgia Tech tackle Jordan Brown.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Buchanan started eight games in 2024 for Texas Tech, and in three seasons with the Red Raiders appeared in 25 games with 10 starts. He has one year of eligibility remaining, having also spent a redshirt year at USC in 2021.

Buchanan allowed only one sack and 15 pressures on 385 pass plays this past season. Arizona’s offensive tackles allowed 14 sacks in 2024.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Brown comes to Tucson after two seasons at Georgia Tech and two at Charlotte, giving him one year of eligibility. With the Yellowjackets he started the first five games of the 2024 season and did not allow a sack, but a rough outing at Louisville in September led to his benching.

Buchanan, from Corpus Christi, Texas, was a 3-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class who committed to USC when current Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege was on staff. Brown is originally from Long Beach, Calif., and the Charlotte teams he began his career with ran a spread attack similar to what the Wildcats are expected to use in 2025.

The two OL additions give Arizona eight pickups from the NCAA transfer portal, the third and fourth on offense but the first two for a line that has to replace center Josh Baker (graduated), tackle Jonah Savaiinaea (declared for NFL Draft) and guard Wendell Moe Jr. (transferred to Tennessee).

Burnett announces transfer to Big 12 foe

Keyan Burnett was a highly touted prospect when he signed with Arizona as part of the school’s signature 2022 recruiting contest, coming to Tucson with three other Servite High School teammates. But while the others found success with the Wildcats, Burnett was never able to show his potential as a big, pass-catching tight end.

Maybe that will happen at his next stop, as Burnett announced Friday he was going to Kansas for his final year of college.

The 6-foot-6, 248-pound Burnett played in 32 games for Arizona from 2022-24 with eight starts, including three of the first four games this season. He had 18 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown in 2024, finishing his career with 24 receptions.

Kansas had three tight ends in 2024 who combined for 31 catches and two TDs but all have graduated, so he’ll have a shot to start right away.

The Jayhawks are scheduled to play at Arizona Stadium in 2025, giving Burnett a chance to face his former school.