In 100-degree weather, Arizona football kicked off its first week of fall training camp Wednesday morning — exactly a month before the Wildcats’ season opener against Northern Arizona.
Unlike past opening-day practices of training camp, Arizona had multiple 11-on-11 periods.
Here are notes and observations from the Wildcats’ first training camp session at Davis Sports Center and Dick Tomey Practice fields.
* Arizona’s first unit in the defensive secondary in the first 7-on-7 period featured Jay’Vion Cole, Gavin Hunter, USC transfer Matai Tagoa’i, Nebraska transfer Malcolm Hartzog and Wyoming transfer Tyrese Boss. Arizona’s second batch of defensive backs were Howard transfer Zuri Watson, UConn transfer Lee Molette, Northern Colorado transfer Cam Chapa, redshirt junior Johno Price and Charlotte transfer Dwight Bootle.
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* In a team period, Arizona’s first set of defensive backs were Cole, Hartzog, redshirt sophomore Quinn Olson, Molette and Boss. The Wildcats changed all 11 defensive players between snaps during the first team period.
* Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita completed passes to wide receivers Giovanni Richardson (multiple times) and West Virginia transfer Rodney Gallagher III and tight ends Cole Rusk and Tyler Powell.
* Redshirt freshman and Gilbert native Luke Haugo was the second quarterback to take reps in a team period. Haugo, redshirt freshman Sawyer Anderson and four-star quarterback Oscar Rios, who’s cleared to participate in training camp after missing the spring due to shoulder surgery on his non-throwing arm, are competing for Arizona’s backup role.
* Arizona’s first offensive line was Matthew Lado, Rhino Tapa’atoutai, Washington transfer Zach Henning, Alexander Doost and Tristan Bounds.
* Anderson completed a deep pass near the right sideline to second-year wide receiver Isaiah Mizell in a 7-on-7 period.
* Among the top highlights on the first day of training camp: Hartzog and Watson each intercepting passes in the same period. Freshman wide receiver Caleb “Jet” Smith had a leaping catch over multiple defenders on a deep ball down the middle; Haugo threw the pass.
* Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois attended practice on Wednesday.
Photos: Arizona fall football practice returns to Tomey Field
Arizona wide receiver Giovanni Richardson (5) runs through two “defenders” during fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona head football coach Brent Brennan high-fives his players during warm ups for fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona safety Matai Tagoa'i (4) tackles a target during fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona offensive linemen Tristan Bounds (71) and Malachi Joyner (68) participate in a fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita passes the ball during fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona offensive line coach Josh Oglesby talks to his players during hitting drills, Aug. 5, in Tucson.
Arizona safety Cam Chapa (13) tackles a target during fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona offensive lineman Louis Akpa (72) warms up with his teammates during fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona offensive lineman Rhino Tapa'atoutai (59) defensive lineman Manoah Faupusa (78) and Javian Goo (62) participate in hitting drills at fall football practice, Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona head football coach Brent Brennan and quarterback Noah Fifita share some words during warm ups for fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5.
Arizona cornerback Dwight Bootle (12) participates in fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona offensive linemen Javian Goo (62), Justin Morales (74), and Sione Tohi (56) participate in a fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Oscar Rios (9) looks to pass the ball during fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona cornerback Dwight Bootle (12) tackles a target during fall football practice at Davis Sports Center, Aug. 5, 2026.
Arizona quarterback Oscar Rios (9) passes the ball during fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5.
Arizona offensive linemen Alexander Doost (63) and Justin Morales (74) participate in hitting drills during fall football practice at Tomey Field, Aug. 5, 2026.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports

