Arizona Football 2022 Preview: A Reason For Hope

Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur during the Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur during the Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona offense has upgraded talent at each position entering 2022

The offense is led by Brennan Carroll, son of Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll who assisted in immersing the offense with new talent.  All three QBs that saw action last season are returning but will take a seat in favor of transfer Jayden de Laura.

De Laura posted 2,789 yards and 23 TDs as the starting QB at Washington State last year and if the Arizona O-line can hold up better than a year ago he could post similar numbers given the talent at WR. Arizona also brought in three-star recruit Noah Fifita who has demonstrated already that he is already the second-most talented QB on the roster.

The RB group is deep and led by juniors Michael Wiley and Drake Anderson, but Florida State transfer DJ Williams and talented freshmen Jonah Coleman and Rayshon “Speedy” Luke will be in the mix for action. Wiley is currently the most versatile of the group, but Coleman and Luke have drawn plenty of buzz during fall practices. Luke may become an offensive x-factor as Carroll is scheming ways to get him the ball at multiple positions to utilize his speed.

The WR group is also looking much improved, headlined by transfer Jacob Cowing instantly replacing the departing Stanley Beryhill as the clear top option at wideout.

The other huge addition is highly rated freshman Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan has a ton of talent but needs to work on using his physicality to his advantage. If that light goes on, this could be an exciting offense to watch. Jamarye Joyner is a solid WR3 but has been hampered by injuries. Kevin Green, Dorian Singer, and AJ Jones provide skilled depth to make this group a very solid position.

The O-line struggled last year but a year of growth along with some transfer/recruit upgrades should lead to a better performance this season. Tight ends have been quiet in this offense but Keyan Burnet adds a skill that this offense was lacking from that position but maybe a year away from providing steady production.