The 2023 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona as a member of the Pac-12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats were led by third-year head coach Jedd Fisch and played home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. 2023 was Arizona's 124th season of competition and the program's 45th and final year in the Pac-12 Conference before it joined the Big 12 Conference in 2024.

The Wildcats ended the season on a seven-game winning streak and finished 10–3, achieving the fourth 10-win regular season in program history. The Wildcats netted a berth in the 2023 Alamo Bowl, the school's first bowl appearance since 2017, where they faced the Oklahoma Sooners. Arizona won 38–24, marking their first bowl victory since 2015. Arizona finished ranked 11th in the final AP Poll, their highest finish in the poll since the 1998 season.

The Arizona Wildcats football team drew an average home attendance of 47,320 in 2023.

Offseason

Team departures Over the course of the off-season, Arizona lost 40 total players. 5 players graduated, 3 declared for the 2023 NFL draft, while the other 33 entered the transfer portal.

2023 Arizona offseason departures Name Pos. Height/Weight Year Hometown Reason Anthony Simpson WR 5′11, 205 Sophomore Pawling, NY Transferred to UMass Jalen Harris DL 6′6, 275 Senior Gilbert, AZ Completed college eligibility Isaiah Rutherford CB 6′1, 190 Junior Sacramento, CA Unknown Jaydin Young CB 6′0, 180 Sophomore Peoria, AZ Transferred to Oregon State Jordan McCloud QB 6′0, 193 Sophomore Tampa, FL Transferred to James Madison Christian Roland-Wallace CB 6′0, 205 Junior Palmdale, CA Transferred to USC Christian Young DB 6′3, 225 Senior Houston, TX Declared for 2023 NFL draft Drake Anderson RB 6′0, 180 Sophomore Chandler, AZ Transferred to Akron Dorian Singer WR 6′1, 185 Sophomore Saint Paul, MN Transferred to USC Jamayre Joiner WR 6′1, 220 Junior Tucson, AZ Transferred to Jacksonville State Kolbe Cage LB 6′1, 215 Freshman New Orleans, LA Transferred to Southern Miss J.B. Brown DL 6′2, 280 Grad Student Long Beach, CA Transferred to UMass Ma'Jon Wright lWR 6′2, 218 Freshman Fort Lauderdale, FL Transferred to Grambling State Adama Fall DB 6′2, 192 Freshman Simi Valley, CA Transferred to Arizona State Jaxen Turner DB 6′2, 210 Junior Moreno Valley, CA Transferred to UNLV Jalen John RB 5′11, 225 Sophomore Portland, OR Transferred to UMass Jashon Butler RB 5′10, 200 Junior Lynnwood, WA Transferred Hunter Echols DL 6′5, 250 Grad Student Los Angeles, CA Declared for 2023 NFL draft Matthew Weerts LB 6′1, 220 Freshman Batavia, IL Transferred James Bohls RB 6′0, 215 Freshman San Clemente, CA Transferred to Southern Utah RJ Edwards LB 6′2, 222 Junior Las Vegas, NV Transferred to UMass Kevon Garcia DE 6′2, 230 Freshman New Orleans, LA Transferred Eddie Siaumau-Saniota DE 6′3, 245 Sophomore Pago Pago, AS Transferred Jerry Roberts LB 6′2, 230 Grad Student Erie, PA Transferred to UMass Malik Reed LB 6′2, 230 Sophomore Chandler, AZ Transferred Tyler Martin LB 6′1, 245 Sophomore Acton, MA Transferred to UMass Evan Branch-Hayes DL 6′2, 300 Sophomore Richmond, CA Transferred to Bowling Green Josh Donovan OL 6′6, 325 Senior College Station, TX Completed college eligibility Shontrail Key OL 6′5, 305 Freshman Chicago, IL Transferred to Grambling State Jack Buford OT 6′4, 310 Sophomore St. Louis, MO Transferred to Lindenwood Woody Jean OL 6′4, 315 Sophomore Deerfield Beach, FL Transferred to Florida Atlantic Paiton Fears DL 6′6, 275 Senior Mascotte, FL Declared for 2023 NFL draft Jake George WR 6'1, 200 Freshman Whittier, CA Unknown Kyon Barrs DL 6′4, 310 Junior Murrieta, CA Transferred to USC Dion Wilson Jr. DL 6′6, 295 Sophomore Perris, CA Transferred to New Mexico State Paris Shand DL 6′5, 290 Sophomore Toronto, ON Transferred to LSU Alex Lines TE 6′6, 250 Sophomore Gilbert, AZ Transferred Traemaine Savea DL 6′2, 295 Senior Utulei, American Samoa Completed college eligibility Jermaine Wiggins Jr. DL 6′3, 250 Freshman Boxford, MA Transferred to UMass

Incoming transfers Over the off-season, Arizona added thirteen players via transfer portal. According to 247 Sports, Arizona had the No. 51 ranked transfer class in the country.

Arizona Incoming transfersNamePos.Height/Weight YearHometownPrevious school Source Dylan Wyatt DB 6′1, 180 Senior Oakland, CA Cal Poly Montana Lemonious-Craig WR 6′2, 190 Sophomore Inglewood, CA Colorado Justin Flowe LB 6′3, 220 Freshman Upland, CA Oregon Martell Irby DB 5′9, 208 Junior San Diego, CA UCLA David Heimuli LB 6′0, 225 Sophomore East Palo Alto, CA Washington Cruz Rushing DB 6′0, 194 Freshman Tucson, AZ Florida C. J. Flores DB 5′11, 190 Freshman Tucson, AZ NAU Orin Patu LB 6′4, 235 Junior Seattle, WA California Sio Nofoagatoto’a DL 6′3, 315 Senior Ili'ili, American Samoa Indiana Tyler Manoa DL 6′4, 300 Senior Hayward, CA UCLA Bill Norton DL 6′6, 300 Junior Memphis, TN Georgia Taylor Upshaw DL 6′4, 255 Senior Bradenton, FL Michigan Chase Randall DL 6′2, 265 Freshman Tucson, AZ Valparaiso Cash Peterman K 6′0, 200 Sophomore Chandler, AZ BYU

Returning starters

+ Offense Jayden de Laura Junior Quarterback Michael Wiley Junior Running back Jacob Cowing Senior Wide receiver Tanner McLachlan RS Senior Tight end Keyan Burnett Sophomore Tight end Jordan Morgan Grad Student Offensive linemanReference:

+ Defense Jason Harris Sophomore Defensive lineman Jacob Manu Sophomore Linebacker Gunner Maldonado Sophomore Defensive backReference:

+ Special teams Tyler Loop Junior Placekicker Kyle Ostendorp Senior PunterReference:

* Bowl game not played. ^ Waiting decision for 2023 season. † Indicates player was a starter in 2021 but missed all of 2022 due to injury.

Recruiting class

Arizona signed 26 players in the class of 2023. The Wildcats' was ranked forty-fourth by 247Sports and ranked forty-fifth by Rivals.com rankings. One signees were ranked in the ESPN 300 top prospect list. Arizona also signed walk-ons during national signing period.

*= 247Sports Composite rating; ratings are out of 1.00. (five stars= 1.00–.98, four stars= .97–.90, three stars= .80–.89, two stars= .79–.70, no stars= <70) †= Despite being rated as a four and five star recruit by ESPN, On3.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, Dorman received a four star 247Sports Composite rating. Δ= Left the Arizona program following signing but prior to the 2023 season.

2023 overall class rankings ESPN -- -- 3 14 0 0 0 On3 Recruits 56 6 1 11 0 0 0 Rivals 36 4 1 11 0 0 0 247 Sports 36 4 1 15 0 0 0

Walk-ons Name Pos. Height/Weight Hometown High school Tyler Mustain ATH 6′2, 220 Tucson, AZ Pusch Ridge Deric English WR 6'4, 210 Scottsdale, AZ Saguaro Nolan Clement DE 6′3, 220 Scottsdale, AZ Desert Mountain Zarius Wells OL 6′6, 290 Chandler, AZ Chandler Bryce Echols DL 6′5, 245 Henderson, NV Coronado Ammon Kaufusi DL 6′5, 257 Salt Lake City, UT Highland

Preseason

Spring game The Wildcats were scheduled to hold spring practices on March 13–14, 2023, with spring game is tentatively scheduled to take place in Tucson, Arizona on April 15, 2023, with Blue Team Holds off Red Team 23–19 in Spring Game.

Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year Ref Lott Trophy Justin Flowe LB Jr.Butkus AwardManning AwardJayden de LauraQBMaxwell AwardJacob CowingWRSr.Paul Hornung AwardBiletnikoff AwardRotary Lombardi AwardJordan MorganOTWuerffel TrophyOutland TrophyJonah SavaiinaeaSo.Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year AwardSio Nofoagatoto’aDLSr.Tiaoalii SaveaJr.Jacob ManuLBSo.Tetairoa McMillanWRLou Groza AwardTyler LoopPKJr.Ray Guy AwardKyle OstendorpPSr.Doak Walker AwardMichael WileyRBEarl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

Pac-12 Media Day The Pac-12 Media Day was held on July 21, 2023, at the TBD in Las Vegas, NV (Pac-12 Network). The preseason polls will be released in July 2023. Arizona was picked to finish in eighth place in the conference.

Preseason All-Pac-12 Source: Second team

Position Player Class OffenseWRJacob CowingSenior Special TeamsAPJacob CowingSenior

Second Team All-AmericansJacob CowingWR

Schedule

Personnel

Roster

Game summaries

vs Northern Arizona

Statistics NAUARIZ First downs 17 22 Total yards 264 478 Rushing yards 41–78 27–186 Passing yards 186 292 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–29–0 20–26–1 Time of possession 35:04 24:56 Team Category Player StatisticsNorthern Arizona Passing Kai Millner 14/22, 166 yards Rushing T. J. McDaniel 14 carries, 56 yards Receiving Coleman Owen 5 receptions, 90 yardsArizona Passing Jayden de Laura 18/24, 285 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Michael Wiley 10 carries, 54 yards Receiving Michael Wiley 6 receptions, 57 yards

at Mississippi State

Statistics ARIZMSST First downs 23 16 Total yards 431 307 Rushing yards 25–91 38–145 Passing yards 340 162 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 33–47–4 13–17–0 Time of possession 32:22 27:38 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Jayden de Laura 32/46, 342 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT Rushing Jayden de Laura 8 carries, 44 yards, TD Receiving Tetairoa McMillan 8 receptions, 161 yards, TDMississippi State Passing Will Rogers 13/17, 162 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jo'Quavious Marks 24 carries, 123 yards, TD Receiving Lideatrick Griffin 5 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD

vs UTEP

Statistics UTEPARIZ First downs 13 26 Total yards 332 544 Rushing yards 26–49 32–244 Passing yards 283 300 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–35–0 25–32–0 Time of possession 29:43 30:17 Team Category Player StatisticsUTEP Passing Gavin Hardison 15/31, 228 yards Rushing Deion Hankins 9 carries, 34 yards Receiving Torrance Burgess Jr. 3 receptions, 78 yardsArizona Passing Jayden de Laura 23/29, 285 yards, 3 TD Rushing Michael Wiley 17 carries, 87 yards, TD Receiving Tetairoa McMillan 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD

at Stanford

Statistics ARIZSTAN First downs 20 18 Total yards 349 354 Rushing yards 37–145 34–108Passing yards 204 246 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–30–0 18–32–0 Time of possession 28:51 31:09 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Jayden de Laura 14/26, 157 yards, TD Rushing Jonah Coleman 12 carries, 75 yards Receiving Jacob Cowing 8 receptions, 85 yardsStanford Passing Ashton Daniels 14/26, 198 yards Rushing Sedrick Irvin 10 carries, 70 yards, TD Receiving Tiger Bachmeier 4 receptions, 93 yards

vs No. 7 Washington

Statistics WASHARIZ First downs 26 27 Total yards 474 342 Rushing yards 26–111 31–110 Passing yards 363 232 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 30–40–0 27–39–1 Time of possession 29:51 30:09 Team Category Player StatisticsWashington Passing Michael Penix Jr. 30/40, 363 yards Rushing Dillon Johnson 16 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD Receiving Germie Bernard 8 receptions, 89 yardsArizona Passing Noah Fifita 27/39, 232 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jonah Coleman 12 carries, 44 yards Receiving Jacob Cowing 8 receptions, 61 yards, TD

at No. 9 USC

Statistics ARIZUSC First downs 28 23 Total yards 506 365 Rushing yards 42–203 33–146 Passing yards 303 219 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–35–1 14–25–0 Time of possession 35:39 24:21 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Noah Fifita 25/35, 303 yards, 5 TD, INT Rushing Jonah Coleman 22 carries, 143 yards Receiving Tetairoa McMillan 6 receptions, 138 yardsUSC Passing Caleb Williams 14/25, 219 yards, TD Rushing MarShawn Lloyd 15 carries, 86 yards, TD Receiving Brenden Rice 4 receptions, 96 yards

at No. 19 Washington State

Statistics ARIZWSU First downs 26 12 Total yards 516 234 Rushing yards 37–174 22–35 Passing yards 342 199 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 34–43–0 23–33–2 Time of possession 38:39 21:21 Team Category Player StatisticsArizona Passing Noah Fifita 34/43, 342 yards Rushing Rayshon Luke 10 carries, 71 yards, TD Receiving Jonah Coleman 4 receptions, 98 yardsWashington State Passing Cam Ward 22/30, 192 yards, INT Rushing Dylan Paine 3 carries, 23 yards Receiving Nakia Watson 5 receptions, 88 yards

vs No. 11 Oregon State