Arizona Football managed to retain most of the key components after Jedd Fisch’s surprising move to Washington.
One of the biggest fears was that he would manage to rip quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of the Wildcats’ reach. However, neither Heisman contender Fifita nor guaranteed future first-round NFL Draft pick in McMillan were swayed, and they will return for the 2024 season.
Only two players on the final depth chart of the season are gone: Jacob Cowing was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and reserve Kevin Green Jr. arrived in Montlake.
With the new generation of wide receivers, four stand out from the rest as players who will spend the most time on the field, but Fifita will have a shortage of receiving options to choose from.
Tetairoa McMillan (Junior) | 6’5″ 210 lbs.
McMillan is not only the best receiver in Arizona, he is also in the conversation for the best receiver in college football and the best wide receiver to ever wear an Arizona uniform. The only two pass catchers in all of NCAA football who compare to him are Missouri’s Luther Burden and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka.
McMillan is a do-it-all alpha receiver. He uses his size to intimidate defenders off the line and torch their press coverage. He has the height, long arms and vertical ability to attack jumpers and get them out of the air. He uses his long strides to fly downfield as a useful deep threat, and can also operate in short areas as a catch-and-run threat.
McMillan has delivered on all the promises that come with being a 5-star recruit and then some. There is nothing he can’t do at a highly competent level at the very least. His connection to Fifita dating back to their high school days only adds to their status as one of the deadliest returning duos in all of Division I.
Montana Lemonious-Craig (Graduate) | 6’2″ 201 lbs.
Lemonious-Craig joined Arizona ahead of the 2023 season as one of many former Colorado players to come through the door with Deion Sanders taking the helm in Boulder. His first season in Tucson actually saw a slight drop in production from his last season with the Buffs, but he is in line for a larger role in 2024.
Lemonious-Craig also has an arsenal of tools in his tool belt. Colorado used him in all areas of the field: a deep threat, intermediate entry routes and quick screen passes. With Arizona, he was listed as their starting F receiver, who plays a role similar to what a tight end is expected to play.
He is a willing and capable run blocker, and is one of the designated move men before the snap. He brings the most football experience of anyone else in the room and is very intelligent as a result of the vast amount of football he has played. Expect him to surpass 400 yards receiving for the first time in his career.
Reymello Murphy (Junior) | 6’0″ 185 lbs.
At first glance, a relatively skinny receiver from a powerless conference school seems underwhelming. However, Murphy has established himself as a weapon in Old Dominion and is ready to fill the spot where Cowing left him in the position.
Murphy has one critical factor that Cowing could never achieve no matter how hard he worked: size. Cowing measured in at 5-foot-8 at the 2024 NFL Combine, while Murphy’s 6-foot frame allows for a larger catch radius and a lower chance of being swallowed whole by the defense. He also showed off his downfield speed at Old Dominion.
He played primarily on the edge for the Monarchs, but Big 12 competition will be tougher than the Sun Belt. Murphy may need some time to adjust to the new role, but he took the transition from JuCo to Old Dominion well and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t find a foothold in another new home.
AJ Jones (RS Sophomore) | 6’4″ 209 lbs.
Jones hasn’t seen much playing time during his first two years in college, but he never fails to generate buzz whenever spring practices roll around. After all, he’s just a few Popeye cookies shy of being the same size as McMillan.
The third-year receiver has long been considered an above-average athlete. A former high school quarterback and wide receiver, Jones plays with great body control and showed impressive speed once he landed in Arizona. This could bring him onto the field as a deep threat, but he is more likely to be used in other ways.
Jones served as McMillan’s backup last season, but Brent Brennan’s staff has publicly stated that they plan to use as many as six or seven receivers in the rotation. That means he could be used as a second big opposite McMillan on the perimeter in packages that require bigger receivers. Jones’ path to becoming a replacement for McMillan after the latter leaves for the NFL begins now.
RB. Analyzing Arizona’s running back room heading into the 2024 season. dark. ICYMI
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