Not all transfer pickups are created equal. Some acquisitions are infinitely more impactful than others, and on Saturday Arizona got one that could play a huge role in getting the program to a better place than it was this past season.
Former Northwestern State linebacker Blake Gotcher, an FCS All-American, has committed to the Wildcats. He has one season of eligibility remaining and is coming off one of the most productive years imaginable.
Former Northwestern State FCS All-American linebacker Blake Gotcher has committed to Arizona, his agency @3strandsports tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Gotcher, who is repped by @monnier_oscar and @AgentAgnone53, leads all of Division I with 162 tackles this year.… pic.twitter.com/oxxwwVSMNH
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 22, 2024
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Gotcher notched a Division I-best 162 tackles in 12 games for Northwestern State, with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles and had an interception, all of which made him a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the top FCS defensive player.
Gotcher had at least 10 tackles in 11 games, including 23 against Prairie View A&M, and in three seasons at Lamar from 2021-23 had another 82 tackles.
Arizona must replace captain Jacob Manu, who had 217 tackles in three seasons with the UA before transferring to Washington on Friday. Manu missed the final five games of the 2024 campaign with a knee injury and his absence was noticeable, as the Wildcats allowed 37.6 points per game without him.
Gotcher is Arizona’s second transfer pickup from Northwestern State, joining defensive lineman Chancellor Owens. He’s the 11th transfer overall, sixth on defense.