The transfer portal is scheduled to reopen as Arizona football begins the final week of spring practice.

As the final week of spring practice begins in Tucson, all eyes around the Arizona Wildcats football program are shifting toward the next big storyline: the transfer portal. With the NCAA’s spring window reopening on April 15 and lasting through April 30, a new round of potential roster movement looms—and this time, it’s colliding head-on with the culmination of Arizona’s spring camp.

This year’s transfer portal cycle is more volatile than ever, thanks in part to evolving NIL dynamics, coaching carousel aftershocks, and the new-era emphasis on roster retooling via the portal. For Arizona, entering its first spring under new head coach Brent Brennan, the portal timing adds a layer of intrigue and possible anxiety. While the Wildcats have begun to shape their new identity, the open door to departures and additions may reshape the team once again before fall camp even begins.

A Program in Transition

The Wildcats are in a unique spot. After an 8-5 campaign and a convincing Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma last season, Arizona should’ve been riding high into 2024. But Jedd Fisch’s departure to Washington in January triggered a reset.

In came Brennan from San Jose State, bringing with him familiarity with the West Coast landscape and a reputation as a culture-builder. However, no transition is without growing pains, and the current roster has seen significant flux since his hiring.

Several key players, including quarterback Jayden de Laura and linebacker Justin Flowe, have already entered the portal. Others—like standout wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and quarterback Noah Fifita—opted to stay, which offered Arizona a degree of continuity that many programs in transition lack.

Now, as spring wraps up, the program’s ability to retain talent may once again be tested. Brennan and his staff are trying to foster a cohesive environment while acknowledging the reality that the next two weeks could dramatically reshape their depth chart.

Final Week of Spring Practice: A Showcase and an Audition

For players on the fringes of the two-deep depth chart, this final week of spring practice isn’t just about execution and development—it’s also about clarity. Those who feel they’ve slipped down the pecking order may see the portal as a lifeline to more immediate playing time elsewhere.

This is where spring becomes a double-edged sword. On one hand, coaches want to evaluate and develop their roster. On the other, every evaluation risks triggering an exit.

Brent Brennan addressed this reality with transparency. “Our job is to help these guys become the best version of themselves. But at the end of the day, they have to feel like this is the right place for them,” he said. “We’ll have honest conversations. It’s not about keeping everyone—it’s about building the right team.”

Positions to Watch for Possible Departures

Not every position group is equally vulnerable. Based on spring practice reports and depth chart movement, a few groups stand out as potential hotspots for portal exits:

Quarterback Room
With Noah Fifita entrenched as QB1, competition for the backup role has heated up. Redshirt freshman Brayden Dorman and early enrollee Demond Williams Jr. have both had bright moments. If Dorman doesn’t feel like the backup role is within reach, he could explore options elsewhere—especially given his prototypical frame and arm strength, which may appeal to other Power Five programs.

Running Backs
Jonah Coleman has taken over as the feature back with DJ Williams now graduated. But behind him, the reps are more contested. Speedster Rayshon Luke and sophomore Brandon Johnson have both shown flashes, but if one finds himself buried after spring, a change of scenery could be imminent.

Secondary
This is perhaps the most unpredictable group. While cornerbacks Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis give Arizona one of the better duos in the Pac-12, the safety spots have been a revolving door this spring. If a veteran doesn’t lock down a starting role, don’t be surprised if one or two safeties test the waters.

Where Arizona Could Add Through the Portal

While attrition is inevitable, the spring window also gives Brennan and his staff a chance to be aggressive in patching holes. Here are the positions Arizona could prioritize in the next two weeks:

Linebacker
Arizona’s linebacker corps was hit hard by departures. With Justin Flowe gone, and only Jacob Manu returning with significant experience, the Wildcats are thin in the middle. The staff would love to add at least one proven tackler—especially someone with experience calling signals on defense.

Interior Defensive Line
While the defensive end rotation looks solid, there are question marks at nose tackle and the 3-technique. Arizona could use more size and Power Five-level strength inside. Don’t be surprised if the Wildcats target a veteran transfer to shore up the middle.

Offensive Line Depth
The starting five up front appears serviceable, led by returning tackles Jonah Savaiinaea and Wendell Moe. But depth remains a concern. Injuries during spring exposed the lack of experience in the second unit. Bringing in one or two experienced linemen could pay dividends down the stretch.

Tight End
The tight end room has largely been a non-factor in spring, in part due to injuries and the departure of Tanner McLachlan. If Brennan wants to implement more multiple tight end sets like he did at San Jose State, he’ll need reinforcements.

Culture vs. Convenience

Brennan has emphasized culture above all else since arriving in Tucson. That approach can clash with the portal era, where players frequently move at the first sign of limited opportunity or discord.

Still, Brennan seems to embrace the balance. “We want players who believe in what we’re building,” he said after the Wildcats’ final open practice. “The portal is a tool—not a threat. We’ll use it smartly, but we won’t compromise our culture.”

His strategy may be to lean into Arizona’s core of returners as the foundation and selectively build around them. The program has already scored a few under-the-radar portal wins in recent months, including safety Kam Alexander from UTSA and edge rusher Tre Smith from San Jose State. The next two weeks could reveal whether the Wildcats can land an impact name—or whether they’ll simply try to limit the damage of exits.

Navigating the NIL Landscape

As with any modern roster discussion, NIL is part of the conversation. Arizona’s NIL infrastructure has improved over the last year, but it still lags behind some major programs. If a starter or high-upside young player leaves during this portal window, finances may play a role.

That said, boosters and collectives have been more vocal in recent weeks about their willingness to step up. If Brennan identifies a high-impact portal target, there may be more resources now than there were even two months ago.

Fan Expectations and Portal Paranoia

Wildcat fans have reason to be both optimistic and cautious. The program has momentum, but the spring portal window tends to be chaotic. Losing a few depth pieces is expected—losing a core starter would be a gut punch.

The key is how Brennan handles both sides of the portal coin: retaining key players while effectively identifying and landing contributors.

Social media has only intensified fan scrutiny of the portal. Every cryptic tweet from a player now sparks speculation. The program’s messaging in this window will be critical in controlling the narrative and keeping the fanbase bought in.

Looking Ahead

Once the spring game concludes and the portal opens, the real action begins. Arizona’s staff will be burning the midnight oil monitoring both internal and external movement. Whether it’s a surprise defection or a last-minute addition, the Wildcats’ 2024 outlook may shift dramatically by the time the window closes.

For Brennan, this is just the next challenge in his first few months at the helm. But if he can steer Arizona through this crucial period without major losses and add a few quality pieces, it’ll be a strong signal that the program’s rebuild is in good hands.

As spring fades into summer, and the portal turns its wheel once more, the Wildcats stand at a crossroads. The choices made over the next two weeks may not only define Arizona’s 2024 season—but set the tone for the Brennan era.