Arizona defensive backs make history at the NFL Draft

Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson were teammates for the last five years at Arizona, and now they're teammates to begin their NFL careers. 

Johnson was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 150 overall in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. Johnson joins Stukes, who was drafted by the Raiders in the second round on Friday, in Las Vegas.

Johnson was picked shortly after former UA safety Genesis Smith, who was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 131 overall in the fourth round. Cornerback Michael Dansby was the last Wildcat drafted in the seventh round. 

Stukes and Johnson are the first UA teammates drafted to the same team since Mike Thomas and Eben Britton in 2009. 

"Being drafted is one thing, but to be drafted to a team that I get to go somewhere with my best friend and continue this ‘Bear Down Brotherhood,’ I’m super excited," Johnson said. "I called (Stukes) real quick and he couldn't believe it. He said, 'This is the best day of my life.'

"It's one thing to be drafted and I'm so grateful to be a Raider, and then on top of that, I get to do it with Stukes. Probably the best day of our lives for both of us." 

Arizona had the most defensive backs drafted out of any school. 

For the first time in NFL Draft history, the Wildcats have four defensive backs in the same draft class. The last time Arizona had multiple defensive backs taken in the NFL Draft was in 2008. Stukes is the highest-drafted UA defensive back since Antoine Cason in 2008. 

Arizona has produced 11 NFL Draft picks the last three years, including two first-rounders and two second-rounders. UA has at least three picks in the last three NFL Drafts, the best stretch since 1998-2000.

"You know, they say Arizona is a basketball school, but we're bringing football to Tucson," Johnson said. "We're a football and basketball school."

Stukes, Smith and Johnson start their NFL careers after playing a combined 6,700 defensive snaps at Arizona.

The 24-year-old Stukes leaves behind a prolific six-year career at Arizona, where he played multiple positions in the defensive secondary and became an All-Big-12 selection and Associated Press All-American last season.  

Drafting Stukes in the second round "was a great move for us," said Raiders general manager John Spytek. 

"Treydan is a very intelligent football player," added assistant general manager Brian Stark. "He's also a really good communicator on the field. He was a late bloomer. He was a walk-on and became a three-time captain. ... He's another player that's going to come in immediately and compete to play, bring some leadership and communication ability.

"As good of a player as he is and as talented as he is, he's that good or better of a person. We're bringing a lot to that room in not just ability, but in character, leadership and work ethic. We're really excited about him." 

Johnson enters the NFL after a highly productive career at Arizona. He was initially recruited by the Kevin Sumlin regime and signed with the Wildcats' 2021 recruiting class despite UA firing Sumlin just before the early signing period. The Katy, Texas native ascended into a starter in two years after standing out on special teams. 

Johnson was involved in arguably the most iconic postseason play in Arizona football history. In the Wildcats' win over Oklahoma in the 2023 Alamo Bowl, Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered in the air by safety Gunner Maldonado, who returned it for a touchdown and shifted the momentum of the game. 

When Arizona endured multiple injuries in its defense the following season, Johnson played a linebacker-safety hybrid role and led the Wildcats in tackles.   

In his final season at Arizona in 2025, Johnson became the first Arizona defensive back since Darrell Brooks in 2004 and '05 to lead the Wildcats in tackles in back-to-back seasons. Johnson's 97 tackles are more than his season total from 2024. He had the sixth-most tackles (97) in the Big 12 this past season — the most by a defensive back.

Johnson ended the 2025 season earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. He had 18 tackles in Arizona's home finale against Baylor, the most tackles by a Wildcat since Wright in 2014. Johnson also had an interception and forced fumble the following week against ASU in the Territorial Cup. 

Johnson concluded his Arizona career with 285 tackles, seven forced fumbles and five interceptions. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection. Last season marked the first time Arizona had multiple first-team all-conference players since Jackie Wallace and Bob White in 1972.

In the five seasons Johnson played at Arizona, he had four defensive coordinators, which he said helped him during the pre-draft process. 

"All the Zooms and scheme installs, it made it fairly easy because it's defenses that I've run and have seen," Johnson said. "It had different lingo, but it was all the same. ... It was a crazy story (at Arizona). In the moment, it seemed hectic, but I don't want my story to be any other way. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and the coaches that have come through Arizona that helped me grow my football knowledge." 

Johnson said "the Raiders are building something special. Young team and we're going to do it the right way. I'm excited to be a part of it." 

Stukes and Johnson join a Raiders defensive secondary that returns Eric Stokes and Darien Porter, safeties Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn. Las Vegas traded for Buffalo Bills nickel back Taron Johnson in March. 

"Whatever my role is, special teams, backup, starter, I'm going to bring 100%," Johnson said. "I feel like I can play anywhere. ... I'm ready to be a Raider and get rolling." 

AFC Wildcat

Stukes and Johnson are Raiders, while Smith was taken by the Chargers — one of Las Vegas' AFC West rivals. 

Smith leaves Arizona after three seasons, a high-post safety who started at three positions in Arizona's secondary during the 2024 season. 

The Chandler Hamilton product recorded 165 tackles, five interceptions and 19 pass deflections in three seasons as a Wildcat. Smith had a career-high 77 tackles and was named a third-team All-Big 12 selection this past season.

Smith's career missed tackle percentage at Arizona was 20.1%, according to PFF. The 6-2, 202-pound Smith — who played the second half of the 2025 season with a fractured foot, he said — unofficially clocked 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Arizona's Pro Day. 

Smith recently scored a 9.76 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score, a metric that evaluates a prospect's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day. Smith's RAS score ranks 32 out of 1,311 at free safety from 1987-2026.

The Chargers' safeties and nickel backs include Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson and Pro Bowl safety Derwin James.

Super Bowl champions take Dansby

Dansby was the final Wildcat selected at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on Saturday. 

Dansby went to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks with the 255th overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. 

The Oakland, California native started his college career playing under Brennan and cornerbacks coach Chip Viney at San Jose State. Dansby played three seasons for the Spartans before transferring to the Wildcats. 

Members of the UA coaching staff told the Star that several NFL teams were interested in drafting Dansby with a late-round pick because of his versatility at cornerback and special teams dating back to his SJSU days. 

Dansby recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a team-high 10 pass deflections. One of Dansby's pass breakups was a critical one on third down late in Arizona's road win over Cincinnati. 

With Dansby as the primary defender, Dansby was targeted 47 times and only allowed 17 catches (36.2%), according to Pro Football Focus.     

Remember the Alamo! 

The latest rendition of the NFL Draft was a reminder of Arizona's run to the Alamo Bowl in 2023.  

So far, there have been 12 draft picks from Arizona's 2023 team that went 10-3. 

It started in 2024 with first-round offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan. Last year, first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and kicker Tyler Loop were drafted. 

In addition to Stukes, Johnson and Smith this year, former UA running back Jonah Coleman and cornerbacks Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prysock were drafted, as well. Coleman and Prysock transferred to Washington and followed former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch. Davis played one season under Brennan and then transferred to Washington for the 2025 season. 

Davis was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 72 overall in the third round. Prysock was drafted 139th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round. Coleman was drafted by the Denver Broncos at 108th overall in the fourth round. 

Arizona's recent success in the NFL Draft "proves that Coach Fisch and that staff recruited a bunch of good players, and the guys coaching them have done a good job of helping them continue on their developmental process," Brennan said.

"We absolutely lean into (the NFL Draft) and big-picture wise, when we're recruiting kids, we have proof that you can play at the University of Arizona, have an incredible experience and be an NFL Draft pick," Brennan added. "So many young people that we talk to and we're recruiting, that's the dream and they all think they're that.

"You can't talk to a single high school player that we're recruiting or a single player on our team that doesn't think he's an NFL player. How do we help guys realize that dream?" 

Extra points

– Former Arizona defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight and cornerback Ayden Garnes signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as undrafted free agents. Arizona wide receiver Luke Wysong signed with the Minnesota Vikings, and center Ka'ena Decambra signed with the Arizona Cardinals. 

— Tucson native and former Salpointe Catholic offensive lineman Bruno Fina signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. Fina's father, John Fina, played for the Bills from 1992-2001 following a standout career at the UA. John Fina played in two Super Bowls with the Bills. The younger Fina started his college career at UCLA and then played his last two seasons at Duke. 

– Former Arizona defensive tackle Roy Lopez, who's now with the Arizona Cardinals, announced the team's fourth-round pick on ESPN in Mexico City. 

– The Big 12 had 38 NFL Draft picks this year. The SEC had the most with 87 picks. The SEC has produced the most NFL Draft picks every year since 2007. Arizona, ASU and Cincinnati tied for the most picks by a Big 12 team with four. 

– The 2027 NFL Draft will be held in Washington D.C. Potential Wildcats to be drafted next year include defensive end Tre Smith, linebackers Chase Kennedy and Taye Brown, wide receiver Tre Spivey and quarterback Noah Fifita, among others.