The 2018 Arizona Football season is nearly here, so we are bringing you an early look of which Five Breakout players we think will have an impact this season.
Football is almost here, and at Zona Zealots, we are extremely excited for that. To help pass the time, it’s a perfect opportunity to start talking Wildcat football. With that said, I have decided to make a list of five breakout players that I think will have an impact in 2018!
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While 2017 was more successful of a season than many were anticipating, I feel a lot of that success can be attributed to the play of Khalil Tate. The now junior sensation returns at quarterback, but will be under a new regime.
Kevin Sumlin takes over the Wildcats as head coach, and will have fairly big expectations in Tucson in year one.
Arizona returns a number of starters from last year, but there is certainly opportunity for others to step up and make an impact on this team.
With that said, here is our list of players who we feel will have the biggest breakout season with the Wildcats this season.
*Note this list is based on what I’ve read and what I have seen from the Spring Scrimmage. This list also isn’t a true indication of how this staff may feel.
Honorable Mention: Freshman Cornerback- McKenzie Barnes
I decided to add an honorable mention, since it is hard to just keep it to five players. It is also very difficult to make the list as a true freshman, but in my opinion if there is a true freshman to possibly breakout this year, it’s cornerback, McKenzie Barnes.
A standout at Edison High School in Fresno, CA, Barnes was a solid pick-up for the Wildcats. He has great size, athleticism and toughness, and given the current state of the Wildcats’ defensive backfield, anything is possible.
I envision Barnes having more of a role on special teams, but could possibly see his responsibilities increase as the season progresses.
I would look for him to possibly be an early contributor for the Wildcats in 2018 and beyond!
Honorable Mention: RS Freshman Safety- Xavier Bell
Another honorable mention on the list is redshirt freshman, Xavier Bell. Listed as a safety, I think Bell has the opportunity to make a push for solid playing time this year. The safety position is loaded, but Bell showed some great things during Spring.
He sat out all of last season on redshirt and enters his first eligible season with a lot to prove. Dane Cruikshank is gone, so that essentially leaves Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jarrius Wallace and Scottie Young Jr. at safety, and leaves the door open for a player like Bell to possibly step-in and compete for some serious playing time and to add depth!
He’s big, physical and is adapting to the college game well thus far!
Sophomore Cornerback- Tony Wallace
Coming in at No. 5 on the list is sophomore cornerback, Tony Wallace. A standout at the extremely talented Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, NV, Wallace had a bit of a role with the Wildcats this past year, particularly on special teams.
With the Wildcats still being fairly unsettled in the defensive backfield, Tony is a guy I can see having an increased role, and by seasons end, could be one of Arizona’s better corners. Wallace looked good in Spring, and should be on short rotation of the defensive depth chart heading in 2018.
Look for him to possibly break out this year!
RS Junior Defensive Tackle- Sione Taufahema
There is much anticipation heading into 2018 for redshirt junior defensive tackle, Sione Taufahema. The big man from the College of the Canyons, Taufahema is finally eligible after sitting out last season due to injury and redshirt.
He comes in at roughly 330 pounds, and looked even thinner during the Spring game.
To say the Wildcats have struggled in creating a decent pass rush, and slowing down opposing teams in the run is an understatement. As per the NCAA stat rankings, Arizona ranked 85th in rushing defense last season.
Arizona needs size up front, and they are getting it in Taufahema. I expect him to have a fairly large role with the Wildcats in 2018, and should he be able to find playing time on the field consistently, I think he will have a solid season, and could provide the Wildcats with a defensive punch it’s been missing.
Junior Defensive Tackle- PJ Johnson
Another possibly huge piece on the defensive line, is junior college transfer, PJ Johnson. A standout at City College of San Francisco, Johnson being on this list is kind of a no brainer for me.
Arizona was fortunate in Johnson being able to come early to get adapted as quickly as possible. He had a terrific spring game, and given the Wildcats’ situation on the defensive line, they need size and Johnson certainly brings it.
Standing 6-foot-3-inches and 300 pounds, that’s some serious beef Arizona could use. He was rather impressive in the Spring game from what I saw, and I think that translates into the 2018 season as well.
He will provide immediate depth and will have an impact that Wildcats have desperately needed for some time.
RS Sophomore Offensive Lineman- Michael Eletise
The Hawaiian-native joins our list here at No. 2! A former four-star recruit and participant in the highly regarded Under Armour All-America game, Michael Eletise is the highest rated lineman currently on roster.
He enters his redshirt sophomore season and will finally have a significant role on the offensive line this year. Arizona was fortunate to have a rather solid group last season, but with the departure of a number of key players, Eletise should be able to step-in and contribute early.
While I expect some growing pains on the offensive line early on in the year, I feel Eletise has an incredibly high ceiling as a player and will only continue to get better.
He looked pretty solid in the spring scrimmage, and I expect him to be one of the anchors of this group in 2018!
Sophomore Running Back- Nathan Tilford
This seems like the most obvious and logical choice for a number of reasons. Gone is Nick Wilson and Zach Green. J.J. Taylor returns, but at 5-feet-6-inches and 180 pounds, there is still some concerns regarding his durability and being able to last the entire Pac-12 season while getting the majority of the carries. For that reason I don’t see Taylor getting all the work from the backfield in 2018.
That’s where Nathan Tilford comes in. He was highly regarded coming out of high school, but due to Arizona’s deep backfield last season, he was unable to crack the rotation. Expect that to change immensely this season.
He’s got great size, and I think he is a perfect one-two punch in the backfield along with Taylor. Tilford looked very good in the spring game, and had 91 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns, if he can find similar success this season, look for Tilford to break out and in a major way!
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That’s our list! What are your thoughts? Who else do you think could break out in 2018? Let us know on Facebook or on Twitter! Bear Down, Arizona!