2017 Arizona Wildcats football team


The 2017 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona during the 2017 season. The season was the Wildcats's 118th overall, 40th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, seventh within the Pac-12 South Division, and the sixth and final year under head coach Rich Rodriguez. The team played their home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona for the 89th straight year.
They finished the regular season with a 7–5, 5–4 in Pac-12 play to finish in third place in the South Division, making it into a bowl game. They were invited to the Foster Farms Bowl where they faced Purdue, losing 35–38. Rich Rodriguez was fired after 6 seasons with Arizona. After Rich Rodriguez was fired, Kevin Sumlin was named the Wildcats' new full-time head coach on January 14, 2018.

Previous season

After starting the season 2–1. Under Rodriguez, extending back to the 2012 season, the Wildcats had lost 8 consecutive games to FBS opponents, their last victory coming nearly a year earlier on September 17, 2016, against Hawaii, leading the team to a record of 3–9 on the season.

Offseason departures

The Wildcats would lose twenty-nine football players. The Wildcats would lose nine more players from the 2016 team due to various reasons. Notable departures from the 2016 squad included.
NameNumberPos.YearNotes
Tellas Jones#1SRS SeniorGraduated
Cam Denson#3WRSeniorMedically retired from the injury. The Tucson native had one catch for five yards in this season.
Kahi Neves#7LBRS FreshmanDismissed from the team.
Samajie Grant#10WR-RBSeniorGraduated
Michael Barton#11LBRS SeniorGraduated
Nate Phillips#11WRSeniorGraduated
Anu Solomon#12QBRS JuniorElected to transfer to Baylor, he is expected to graduate early and be eligible to play in 2017.
Devin Holiday#13CBSeniorGraduated
Paul Magloire Jr.#14LBRS SeniorGraduated
Matt Morin#15TERS SeniorGraduated
Josh Kern#17TERS SeniorGraduated
Davonte' Neal#19CBRS SeniorGraduated
Orlando Bradford#21RBSophomoredismissed from the football program
Tyler Grammer#43SRS SeniorGraduated
DeJean King#44SSeniorGraduated
Jake Matthews#47LBSeniorGraduated
Brion Anduze#48TERS SophomoreRetired from injuries.
Justin Holt#50OT-DTRS FreshmanRetired from injuries.
John Kenny#52LBRS SeniorLeaving from the team.
Darrell Cloy Jr.#55DLRS SophomoreMedically retires from injuries.
Cody Ippolito#57LBRS SeniorElected to transfer to Utah, he is expected to graduate early and be eligible to play in 2017.
Matthew Stagg#59LBRS SeniorGraduated
Aiulua Fanene#62DLRS SeniorGraduated
Keenan Walker#63DLRS FreshmanElected to transfer to Independence CC.
Zach Hemilla#65OLRS SeniorPosthumously Graduated
Freddie Tagaloa#72OLRS SeniorGraduated
Harper Sherman#77OLRS FreshmanDismissed from the team.
Calvin Allen#94DLRS JuniorElected to transfer to New Mexico State.
Sani Fuimano#99DLSeniorGraduated

Preseason

Recruiting Class of 2017

The Wildcats signed 39 players including 10 HS walk-on players, 24 high school recruits, 3 JC transfers from junior colleges and 1 transfers were from NCAA Division I programs. Five of the recruits were already enrolled for the spring, 2017 semester while 24 signed letters of intent on National Signing Day is February 3, 2017. Arizona is combined to be a unanimous top-25 class, ranked as high as and finish top-5 in the Pac-12 recruitment class.

Source:

Incoming transfers

In addition to the 2017 recruiting class, Arizona did add four transfers, which includes eligible for the current season, to the 2017 roster:

Position key

Spring practice

Spring game

The 2017 Wildcats had spring practice from February 2017 to March 2, 2017. The 2017 Arizona football spring game will take place in Tucson, AZ at a date and time to be determined.
DateTimeSpring GameSiteTVResultAttendance
March 2, 2017Navy/Blue vs. Red/WhiteArizona Stadium • Tucson, AZP12N37-21
-

Fall practice

Fall camp is scheduled for August.

Pac-12 Media Days

Pac-12 media days are set for July 2017 in Hollywood, California.

Returning starters

Arizona returns 30 starters in 2017, including 14 on offense, 9 on defense, and 7 on special teams.
Projecting Returning Starters 2017

Offense (14)

Defense (9)

Special teams (7)

† Indicates player was a starter in 2016 but missed all of 2017 due to injury.

Personnel

Roster

Coaching staff

Depth chart

Depth Chart Source: 2017 Arizona Wildcats Football Fact Book
True Freshman

Double Position : *

Injury report

Regular season

Schedule

Arizona announced its 2017 football schedule on November 29, 2016. The 2017 Wildcats' schedule consisted of 7 home and 4 away games for the regular season. Arizona hosted nine Pac-12 conference opponents UCLA, Utah, Oregon State and Washington State and traveled to California, Colorado, Oregon, USC and traveled to arch rival Arizona State for the 91st annual Territorial Cup to close out the regular season. Arizona was not scheduled to play Pac-12 North opponents Stanford and Washington in the 2017 regular season.
Arizona's out of conference opponents represented the American, Big Sky, and C-USA. The Wildcats hosted three non–conference games which were against Northern Arizona from the Big Sky and Houston from the American and traveled to El Paso, TX against Texas–El Paso from the C-USA.

Game summaries

Northern Arizona

;Statistics
Total Yards
595
Passing Yards
89
Rushing Yards
506
Leading Passer
Brandon Dawkins
7/13, 89 yards, 1 TD
Leading Rusher
Brandon Dawkins
7 carries, 92 yards, 2 TDs
Leading Receiver
Tony Ellison
5 rec, 79 yards, 1 TD

To open up the 2017 season, Arizona will host its in-state rival, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks for the non conference home opener in Tucson since 2015. Arizona lead the all-time series with 13–1.

Houston

;Statistics
Total Yards
371
Passing Yards
219
Rushing Yards
152
Leading Passer
Brandon Dawkins
17/29, 178 yards
Leading Rusher
J.J. Taylor
17 carries, 87 yards
Leading Receiver
Shun Brown
4 receptions, 79 yards

After playing Northern Arizona, Arizona will host the Houston Cougars for the second non conference game in Tucson. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 1986. Arizona tied the all-time series with 1–1 apiece.

at UTEP

;Statistics
Total Yards
501
Passing Yards
175
Rushing Yards
326
Leading Passer
Brandon Dawkins
18/21, 155 yards, 3 TDs
Leading Rusher
Brandon Dawkins
14 carries, 133 yards, 3 TDs
Leading Receiver
Tyrell Johnson
4 receptions, 45 yards

After playing Houston, Arizona will travel to El Paso, TX hosts the UTEP Miners for third and final non conference game of the season. This will be the first meeting between the schools since 2003. Arizona lead the all-time series with 38–11–2.

Utah

;Statistics
Total Yards
448
Passing Yards
248
Rushing Yards
200
Leading Passer
Brandon Dawkins
24–42, 248 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTS
Leading Rusher
Brandon Dawkins
18 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Leading Receiver
Tony Ellison
6 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD

Following its game against UTEP on the road, Arizona will begin its 2017 Pac-12 conference schedule in Tucson, AZ, Arizona to face the Utah Utes for the first Pac-12 south division game of the season. Arizona lose in the previous meeting to Utah 36–23 in Salt Lake City, UT. Arizona trailed the all-time series by Utah, 19–21–2.

at Colorado

;Statistics
Total Yards
567
Passing Yards
154
Rushing Yards
413
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
12–13, 154 yards, 1 TD
Leading Rusher
Khalil Tate
14 carries, 327 yards, 4 TDs
Leading Receiver
Tony Ellison
1 reception, 60 yards

After facing Utah and having a bye week, Arizona visited Colorado. The Wildcats lost their previous meeting to the Buffaloes at home 49–24. Arizona entered the game trailing 14–4 in their all-time series.
The biggest headline from this game was the performance of Khalil Tate, who came off the bench after starting quarterback Brandon Dawkins took a late hit out of bounds on the Wildcats' opening possession. Tate proceeded to run for 327 yards, a single-game FBS record for quarterbacks, breaking the previous record of Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch set in 2013.

UCLA

;Statistics
Total Yards
605
Passing Yards
148
Rushing Yards
457
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
9-13, 148 yards, 1 TD
Leading Rusher
Khalil Tate
15 carries, 230 yards, 2 TDs
Leading Receiver
Shun Brown
3 catches, 61 yards

After its game against Colorado on the road, Arizona will face UCLA in Arizona's family weekend game in Tucson, AZ. UCLA defeated Arizona in the previous meeting 24–45 in Pasadena, CA. Arizona trailed the all-time series by UCLA 24–15–2.

at California

;Statistics
Total Yards
511
Passing Yards
166
Rushing Yards
345
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
10–15, 166 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Leading Rusher
Khalil Tate
17 carries, 137 yards, 1 TDs
Leading Receiver
Shun Brown
2 catches, 57 yards, 1 TDs

After its game against UCLA, Arizona will face California in Berkeley, CA for the first non Pac-12 division game of the season. Arizona won the previous meeting at home 49–45 over California in 2014. Arizona has the lead all-time series 16–14–2.

Washington State

;Statistics
Total Yards
585
Passing Yards
275
Rushing Yards
310
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
10–17, 275 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Leading Rusher
J.J. Taylor
13 carries, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Leading Receiver
Jamie Nunley
2 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD

After its game against California on the road, Arizona will face Washington State in Arizona's homecoming game at home. Washington State defeated Arizona in the previous meeting 7–69 in Pullman, WA. Arizona has the lead all-time series 26–16.

at USC

;Statistics
Total Yards
380
Passing Yards
146
Rushing Yards
234
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
14–31, 146 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Leading Rusher
Khalil Tate
26 carr, 161 yards, 1 TD
Leading Receiver
Shun Brown
8 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD

After hosting Washington State, Arizona will travel to Los Angeles, CA to face the USC Trojans. Arizona lose in the previous meeting at home to USC 48–14. Arizona trailed the all-time series by USC 32–8.

Oregon State

;Statistics
Total Yards
602
Passing Yards
68
Rushing Yards
534
Leading Passer
Khalil Tate
5–7, 68 yards, 1 INT
Leading Rusher
Khalil Tate
16 car, 206 yards, 2 TDs
Leading Receiver
Tyrell Johnson: 3 rec, 44 yards

at Oregon

;Statistics
Total Yards
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Leading Passer
Leading Rusher
Leading Receiver

Following its home game finale against Oregon State, Arizona will play its road game against Oregon. Oregon defeated the Wildcats in a top 10 showdown during the prior meeting at 2014 Pac-12 Championship, losing 14–51. Arizona trailed the all-time series by Oregon, 25–16.

at Arizona State (Territorial Cup">Arizona-Arizona State football rivalry">Territorial Cup)

;Statistics
Total Yards
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Leading Passer
Leading Rusher
Leading Receiver

Following its road finale against Oregon, Arizona will close out the 2017 season facing its arch-rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in the 91st meeting of "Territorial Cup" in Tempe, AZ. Arizona won the previous meeting at home over Arizona State 56–35 in last season. Arizona leads the all-time series 49–40–1.

vs. Purdue (Foster Farms Bowl">2017 Foster Farms Bowl">Foster Farms Bowl)

;Statistics
Total Yards
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Leading Passer
Leading Rusher
Leading Receiver

Rankings

Statistics

Team

As of 11/25/2017.
Non-conference opponents
Pac-12 opponents
Score total by Quarters

Offense

;Rushing
NameGPAttGainLossYardsAvgTDLongAvg/G
#2 Tyrell Johnson8379079 yards26.31 TDs558.4
#4 Rhett Rodriguez241314-1 yards-0.21 TDs12-0.5
#6 Shun Brown8122022 yards22.01 TDs222.8
#13 Brandon Dawkins55639739358 yards6.46 TDs6671.6
#14 Khalil Tate669960341,087 yards13.48 TDs82154.3
#25 J.J. Taylor8925289519 yards5.64 TDs7964.9
#28 Nick Wilson6693618353 yards5.13 TDs4658.8
#33 Nathan Tilford*5121171116 yards9.72 TDs6523.2
#34 Zach Green8542781277 yards5.16 TDs3739.6
#38 Brandon Leon81267067 yards5.61 TDs109.9
TEAM5407-7 yards-1.80 TDs0-1.4
Total83762,8221132,709 yards7.232 TDs82338.6

;Passing
NameGPAtt-Cmp-IntQBRPctYdsTDLngAvg/G
#4 Rhett Rodriguez21–1–0184.0100%10 yards0 TDs10
5.0
#13 Brandon Dawkins542–63–0125.262.3%670 yards5 TDs43134.0
#14 Khalil Tate646–67–3187.568.7%784 yards6 TDs68130.7
#15 Donovan Tate21–1–0184.0100%10 yards0 TDs105.0
Total8114–175–6149.765.1%1,474 yards11 TDs68184.2

;Receiving
NameGPAttYardsAvgTDLongAvg/G
#2 Tyrell Johnson813155 yards11.90 TDs3218.4
#3 Cam Denson115 yards5.00 TDs55.0
#6 Shun Brown824353 yards14.74 TDs5644.1
#8 Trevor Wood516 yards6.01 TDs61.2
#9 Tony Ellison822395 yards18.02 TDs6049.4
#18 Cedric Peterson8746 yards6.60 TDs147.7
#19 Shawn Poindexter89131 yards14.60 TDs4316.4
#25 J.J. Taylor8717 yards2.41 TDs82.1
#28 Nick Wilson616 yards6.00 TDs61.2
#81 Bryce Wolma824212 yards8.82 TDs2226.5
#85 Jamie Nunley64138 yards34.51 TDs6823.0
#92 Jack Banda8110 yards10.00 TDs101.2
Total81141,474 yards12.911 TDs68184.2

Defense

Special teams

Awards and honors

Preseason award watch lists

Each year several publications release lists of their ideal "team". The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. If a player is selected to the first team of three publications he is considered a consensus All-American, if a player is selected to the first team of all five publications he is considered a unanimous All-American.
College Football News Pac-12 Top 30
Key:
First team
Consensus All-American
Unanimous All-American

All-Pac-12 teams

NCAA Academic All-Americans

All-Pac-12 Academic

Record broken

Honors and Awards Source: 2017 Arizona Media Notes

Players in the 2018 NFL Draft

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL Club
Dane CruikshankCB5152Tennessee Titans

Media affiliates

Radio