Arizona football notebook: 4-star 2026 quarterback places the Wildcats in the top 7, Long snapper commits to the 2025 squad

The recruiting momentum surrounding Arizona football continues to build under head coach Brent Brennan as the program navigates spring practices and prepares for a transformative 2025 season. This week, two pivotal developments made headlines: a nationally ranked 4-star quarterback from the 2026 class included the Wildcats in his top seven schools, and the team earned a commitment from a trusted long snapper in the 2025 class. Both moves signal strong future depth and reinforce the staff’s vision for sustained success.

One of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle, Noah Grubbs, revealed his top seven schools over the weekend—and the Arizona Wildcats made the cut. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal-caller from Lake Mary High School in Florida is a consensus 4-star recruit and ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks in the nation by multiple recruiting services.

Grubbs’ announcement, shared via social media, listed Arizona alongside college football heavyweights Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State, UCF, and Texas A&M. For a program like Arizona—still in the midst of a rebuild under Brennan’s first-year staff—the inclusion is nothing short of significant.

“I’m grateful for every offer, but I’ve really connected with these schools,” Grubbs said in a recent interview. “Arizona’s vision for the quarterback position stood out to me, and I’ve developed a good relationship with Coach Brennan and the offensive staff.”

That kind of praise carries weight, especially when coming from a prospect with nearly 30 offers nationwide.

Grubbs possesses a prototypical quarterback frame and demonstrates advanced footwork and pocket awareness for his age. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns during his sophomore season and is known for his ability to throw with velocity from multiple platforms. His film reveals an arm capable of attacking all three levels, combined with the poise of a Power Five-ready quarterback.

Arizona’s quarterback depth currently includes rising junior Noah Fifita and incoming freshman Demond Williams Jr., both of whom could be gone or upperclassmen by the time Grubbs arrives in 2026. Having Grubbs in the fold would potentially set the Wildcats up for a smooth transition and a true cornerstone for Brennan’s tenure.

Landing in Grubbs’ top seven is a testament to Brennan’s recruiting style. Since taking over in January, the former San Jose State coach has emphasized identifying and building relationships with quarterbacks early in the process.

“It’s the most important position in football,” Brennan said during spring ball. “We need someone who not only has the physical tools but also the leadership qualities to lift a program. That’s our focus every recruiting cycle.”

Under Brennan, Arizona is pivoting toward a more quarterback-friendly offense that incorporates tempo, RPOs, and vertical route combinations—all concepts that align with Grubbs’ high school system.

While quarterback recruiting understandably draws headlines, the Wildcats also added a commitment at one of the most overlooked positions in football: long snapper.

Dominic Torres, a long snapper from Southern California, announced his pledge to Arizona for the 2025 class on Monday. A specialist with training from Rubio Long Snapping, Torres is rated among the top 10 long snappers in the nation and brings consistent accuracy and velocity to the table.

“Arizona felt like the right place from the start,” Torres told local outlets. “Coach Brennan and the special teams staff made me feel like I could make an impact right away.”

Long snapping often flies under the radar in fan conversations, but it’s critical for clean execution on punts and field goals. One bad snap can cost a team a game, and Torres’ presence ensures Arizona will avoid such mistakes in the years ahead.

Torres is projected to step in following the graduation of current long snapper Seth MacKellar. While MacKellar has been steady, the Wildcats have lacked depth behind him. Torres will likely compete immediately for the starting role as a freshman, which aligns with Brennan’s philosophy of open competition.

“Every role matters,” said special teams coordinator Craig Johnson. “Long snapping is something we want to get right in practice 100% of the time. Dominic is already showing us he’s got the tools.”

Arizona’s special teams unit is undergoing a revamp after finishing in the middle of the Pac-12 (now restructured) in field goal percentage, punt average, and return defense. Securing a reliable long snapper is a step in the right direction.

With Torres now on board, Arizona’s 2025 class has eight known commitments. The staff continues to prioritize both sides of the line and is pushing for elite speed at the skill positions. The 2025 class currently ranks in the top 50 nationally, with more additions expected after official visit weekends begin in June.

For the 2026 class, Grubbs is undoubtedly the headliner of current quarterback targets. Arizona is also evaluating in-state options and a pair of dual-threat prospects in Texas and Nevada. While a commitment from Grubbs would elevate Arizona’s national standing, the staff is prepared with contingency plans if the recruitment drags into 2025.

“You always have a board,” said Brennan. “But when you’re in the conversation for someone like Noah [Grubbs], you stay in that conversation.”

Grubbs hasn’t yet set a firm commitment date, but multiple insiders believe he could decide before the start of his junior season. He’s expected to take unofficial visits this summer and narrow his list further based on offensive scheme fit, relationships, and early playing time potential.

Arizona’s next big opportunity will come when Grubbs visits Tucson—tentatively expected in June. That visit could prove pivotal.

“If the vibe is right, if I feel like I belong there, that’ll go a long way,” Grubbs said of his upcoming trips.

Don’t underestimate the influence of Brennan’s track record. His success in developing quarterbacks like Nick Nash and Chevan Cordeiro at San Jose State proves he can maximize talent, even at programs without traditional blue-chip resources.

If Arizona does land Grubbs, the quarterback room over the next three seasons could include:

• Noah Fifita (junior in 2025, senior in 2026 if he stays)
• Demond Williams Jr. (sophomore in 2025, junior in 2026)
• Noah Grubbs (true freshman in 2026)

That depth chart would represent one of the most stable quarterback situations in recent Arizona history—a stark contrast to the frequent changes the program experienced in the early 2020s.

The Wildcats are coming off a promising 2024 campaign that saw them finish above .500 for the second straight year, a feat that seemed improbable as recently as 2021. Fan optimism is climbing, and the program’s ability to compete for recruits like Grubbs only fuels that excitement.

Winning battles against Florida State, Texas A&M, and Michigan—should it happen—would send a message that Arizona football is no longer a punchline but a real contender in the newly aligned Big 12.

“We’ve got to win on the field and on the trail,” Brennan said. “One without the other doesn’t cut it anymore.”

As May approaches, Arizona’s staff is preparing for one of its most important stretches on the recruiting calendar. Several 2025 targets are expected to visit, and the team will host camps in Tucson and across the Southwest.

All eyes will be on Grubbs and whether Arizona can maintain its standing among the elite programs courting him. Meanwhile, under-the-radar moves like the addition of Dominic Torres show that Brennan’s staff isn’t just chasing headlines—they’re laying the foundation for championship-level consistency.

Whether it’s a 4-star quarterback or a precise long snapper, Arizona football appears committed to building from every angle.

Arizona’s Spring Showcase is set for next weekend at Arizona Stadium. It’s the final public chance to see the current roster before summer workouts begin—and a chance to impress visiting recruits. With Brennan’s vision starting to take shape, the showcase may be as important for perception as it is for player development.

Stay tuned. The Wildcats are making noise—and recruits are listening.