On the same weekend that one of the best kickers in school history hopes to hear his named called at the NFL Draft, Arizona has possibly found his successor.
Former Illinois State kicker Ian Wagner has committed to the Wildcats, the second transfer pickup from the portal this spring.
WHAT THEY GONE SAY NOW‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/xYseDGnh4X
— Ian Wagner (@lilwags24) April 25, 2025
he 6-foot-2, 215-pound Wagner has one season of eligibility remaining after spending four years at Illinois State. He appeared in 32 games, making 25 of 36 field goals and 89 of 102 extra points for his career. He also handled kickoff duties for the Redbirds, who reached the second round of the FCS playoffs, and in 2023 also punted.
A 2-star prospect out of O’Fallon, Illinois in the 2021 recruiting class, Wagner is originally from Sierra Vista, located about 75 miles southeast of Tucson.
The departure of Tyler Loop is a major hole Arizona needed to fill, and during spring practice sophomore Michael Salgado-Medina served as both the kicker and punter after being the primary punter in 2024. The Wildcats have a prep kicker, Tyler Prasuhn, expected to join the team this summer but Wagner gives new special teams coordinator Craig Naivar an experienced leg.
The UA still needs a long snapper, as the only one on the roster (Trey Naughton) medically retired due to a back injury.
Wagner joins ex-Albany offensive lineman Chance Roberts as transfer commitments for Arizona since spring practice ended last week.