Three Big Questions: Arizona Wildcats
A look at each FBS program for 2023, alphabetically
Our journey takes us out west for the first time, as we stop in at Arizona. The Wildcats weren’t a great team a year ago, but sit in an interesting situation heading into 2023. Jedd Fisch returns for his third season at the helm, Jayden de Laura is back behind center, and now is the time that boosters and fans may start to expect results. But, can the Wildcats deliver?
Team Information
School: Arizona Wildcats
Conference: PAC-12
2022 Record: 5-7 (3-6)
Bowl: N/A
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Jedd Fisch, third season
Offensive Coordinator: Brennan Carroll, third season
Defensive Coordinator: Johnny Nansen, second season
1. What does Jayden de Laura have in store this year?
One of the most surprising quarterbacks a year ago was Jayden de Laura, a Washington State transfer. In his first season with Fisch, de Laura posted the third highest passing yards in Arizona history with 3,865. Additionally, he tossed 25 touchdowns to his 13 interceptions. Not too bad for his first season in a new program with a new coach.
This season, all eyes are on de Laura. Both of his 1,000 yard receivers, including NFL prospect Jacob Cowing, are back. His staff and playcallers are back. By all standards, de Laura is ready to go. Throughout spring, it’s appeared he’s ready. He has said he’s feeling more comfortable this spring than last.
At the end of last season, Fisch granted de Laura the ability to change and shake off playcalls. That role is expected to continue, and maybe even grow this year. Fisch has praised de Laura’s maturity this spring many times, claiming it’s the “most impressive part of the spring,” which bodes well for his development.
Arizona’s ceiling is as high as de Laura’s, which makes this team very interesting heading into the season. In a conference that is as wide open as the PAC-12, Arizona could be a surprising sleeper pick.
2. Are the portal additions enough to make the defense competitive?
But, the other side of the ball needs some help. They finished 126th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 36.5 points per game. Well, Fisch and defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen made all the efforts to improve that unit.
They brought in five FBS transfers that are expected to make an immediate impact. They went hard on the defensive line, adding three stars Bill Norton from Georgia and Tyler Manoa from UCLA. The linebacker room improves considerably, with Orin Patu from Cal, Daniel Heimuli from Washington, and four star Justin Flowe from Oregon.
All five transfers are expected to see considerable playing time this season, especially Flowe. He’s an elite linebacker, and is considered a high-level NFL prospect. He played in 10 games a year ago, tallying 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries in the Ducks’ crowded linebacker room. He is anticipated to be one of the two middle backers for the Wildcats.
The other transfers have sparing playing time throughout their careers, but are ready to grow in larger roles. With Nansen’s attacking 4-2-5 scheme, they’ll surely see a lot of playing time. Flowe will be tasked with covering a lot of ground. All of the linemen will rotate in based on situation, and the secondary looks a lot better during the spring than last season.
If the defense can improve from one of the worst in the nation, then Arizona can certainly shoot up the PAC-12 rankings.
3. Can the offensive line protect de Laura?
Jayden de Laura is the face of the Arizona offense, as we’ve discussed. But, a year ago, he was sacked 23 times. That’s middle of the road, but you need to keep your star quarterback upright. When you also add in de Laura’s running, that’s just a hair under 100 hits that Fisch and Wildcat fans wish their star quarterback could’ve prevented.
The offensive line is the starting point of this. Fisch and company probably don’t want to stop de Laura from making plays on his feet. So, to the offensive line we go. They cut down the number of sacks from 36 to 23 from 2021 to 2022, and cutting that further would allow de Laura time to grow more.
Quarterbacks that aren’t under pressure generally make better decisions, so a stronger offensive line would greatly help de Laura cut down on turnovers. Now, how much of that is pressure and how much is de Laura’s decision making? Wildcat fans will have to see.
What are the expectations for Arizona?
While the Wildcats certainly have a chance to be a fun and exciting team, they probably aren’t going to be pushing for a PAC-12 crown this season. This team lives and dies with Jayden de Laura, and can go as far as he’ll take them. The defense should improve, and if the offense picks up where they left off, Arizona has all the hallmarks of a seven-to-eight win team. Depending on their draw and the rest of the PAC-12, a bowl game might be in the picture and would be considered a massive success.