Even though the Wildcats lost defensive linemen Tiaoalii Savea, Deshawn McKnight and Malachi Bailey, Arizona returns defensive captain and edge rusher Tre Smith, who went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, along with defensive tackles Leroy Palu and Mays Pese, defensive end Dominic Lolesio, defensive tackle Julian Savaiinaea, 6-6, 382-pound defensive tackle Zac Siulepa and 6-7, 259-pound redshirt freshman Porter Patton.

Smith, Palu, Pese, Lolesio and Savaiinaea have a combined 3,298 defensive snaps in their careers, with Smith owning roughly half of those snaps (1,610). Arizona also has junior college transfer and former Mater Dei (California) star Ezra Funa, who was on Arizona’s roster in 2025 but redshirted. 

The Wildcats are also adding freshman Prince Williams, a standout defensive end from Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman, along with freshmen defensive tackles Keytrin Harris, Manoah Faupusa and Kaisi Lafitaga. Junior college transfer defensive end Kevin Moorer is expected to join the Wildcats in the summer.

Gonzales often used linebackers as edge rushers last season. Notably, Chase Kennedy and Riley Wilson were edge-rushing linebackers in Gonzales’ scheme. Kennedy, who converted from defensive end last year, is returning to Arizona for his final season of eligibility. Georgetown transfer linebacker Cooper Blomstrom and Memphis transfer linebacker Everett Roussaw are expected to have edge-rushing roles this upcoming season.