Arizona football training camp notes, practice 8: Tyler Powell makes T-Mac-esque one-handed catch for a TD

Arizona did a red-zone team period inside the 20-yard line and a two-point conversion segment.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, while scrambling, threw a pass near the left pylon, which allowed the 6-7 Powell to elevate and make a one-handed, Tetairoa McMillan-esque snag over defenders for a touchdown.

The reaction from players and coaches was probably the loudest of training camp — even louder than freshman linebacker Dash Fifita intercepting a pass thrown by his older brother Noah. Even the defensive coaches celebrated Powell’s catch.

“That’s what I do!” Powell yelled while high-fiving his offensive teammates.

Powell has overcome a lot in the last year since suffering a season-ending leg injury on the first play from scrimmage in the season opener against Hawaii in 2025. His highlight catch on Friday was a reminder of his ceiling in Arizona’s offense when he’s healthy and confident. Powell and Illinois transfer Cole Rusk, along with the rising Shane King, has potential to be one of the top tight end rooms in the Big 12.

Powell also had a touchdown catch in the right corner of the end zone in a previous 7-on-7 red-zone period.

Powell’s highlight catch wasn’t the only highlight of Friday’s fully padded practice at Davis Sports Center and Dick Tomey Practice Fields.

– In the first team period, Georgetown transfer linebacker Cooper Blomstrom intercepted Fifita’s pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage. Several plays later, Fifita threw a touchdown pass to Giovanni Richardson.

– Second-year wide receiver Isaiah Mizell high-pointed a pass over second-year cornerback Swayde Griffin; the pass was thrown by backup quarterback Sawyer Anderson. Mizell also hauled in a touchdown from Fifita later on.

– With the Wildcats in full pads, the defensive players worked on a series of tackling drills at “Bear Down Beach,” the field east of Dick Tomey Practice Fields. On Thursday at Casino Del Sol Stadium, the Wildcats did a drill that involved tackling a dummy, tackling a donut-shaped pad and falling on a football to simulate fumble recovery.

– Arizona fifth-year wide receiver Chris Hunter had one of his top practices of training camp, with a nifty turnaround touchdown catch in the back of the end zone — tapping one foot in bounds — despite decent coverage by Howard transfer cornerback Zuri Watson, in a 7-on-7 period.

– Freshman wide receiver R.J. Mosley continues to shine this training camp. The 6-3, 199-pound Pittsburg, California, native caught a touchdown on a slant route in the red zone — a pass thrown by Anderson. Reserve quarterback Luke Haugo also threw a touchdown pass to Mosley in the same 7-on-7 period. Third-year wide receiver Brandon Phelps and Mosley are trending towards reliable backups at “X” wide receiver behind Tre Spivey.

– Another freshman receiver with a promising future is Caleb “Jet” Smith, a shifty slot receiver from Allen, Texas, who looks polished for a freshman. Smith, who’s also getting reps at punt returner, had an impressive block on freshman safety Hannibal Navies at the goal line on a Fifita rushing touchdown.

– Nebraska slot cornerback and safety transfer Malcolm Hartzog continues to show up. On Friday, Hartzog had a pass breakup in 7-on-7.

– Linebackers Dash Fifita, Taye Brown, Jabari Mann and Leviticus Su’a each had sacks in the final team period in the red zone.

– After the first few periods, Arizona paused practice to honor UA president Suresh Garimella, who was gifted an autographed helmet — signed by the whole team — by Noah Fifita.