There were few bright spots on Arizona’s defense in 2024, and one of them looks set to shine elsewhere next season.
Defensive back Genesis Smith plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per On3.com’s Hayes Fawcett. He becomes the 30th player from this past year’s team to enter the portal, the eighth who started at least four games on defense.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Smith started 10 games for Arizona, including the final eight, playing multiple positions after the Wildcats lost defensive backs Gunner Maldonado and Treydan Stukes to season-ending knee injuries. Smith had 63 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and led Arizona with three interceptions.
A 3-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Smith picked the UA out of Phoenix-area powerhouse Chandler Hamilton. As a true freshman he appeared in all 13 games, collecting 24 tackles and a pick.
The other defensive starters to enter the portal include Maldonado, Stukes, defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, linebacker Jacob Manu, cornerbacks Tacario Davis and Emmanuel Karnley and safety Dalton Johnson.
Arizona is still looking for its first pickup from the transfer portal. As it stands, only 40 scholarship players from the 2024 roster remain with the program.