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Johnson pondered, then listed the defensive play-callers from his time in Tucson: Don Brown, Johnny Nansen, Duane Akina and now Danny Gonzales, who was Arizona’s linebackers coach last season.

Nearly every year Johnson has played at Arizona, a new voice is leading the defense, which can be taxing by the time one is a redshirt senior like Johnson, but he has a glass-half-full perspective.

“I like it,� Johnson said. “I like to challenge myself. If I have to learn a new defense every year, that’s what I’ll do. But at the same time, I feel like it’s growing my game because I’m hearing all of these different defensive strategies and philosophies that each coach brings to the table — and they’re all different. Some people look at it like you having a new coach every year, but at the same time, I’m blessed to be surrounded by all of these great coaches that are getting me better with all of these new things I get to learn every day.�

The Katy, Texas product is one of two players on Arizona’s roster who was recruited by the Kevin Sumlin regime, along with nickel back Treydan Stukes; they’re also the only two starting defensive backs left from Arizona’s Alamo Bowl team in 2023. Johnson signed with Arizona in December 2020 before former head coach Jedd Fisch was hired, then blossomed into a standout strong safety the last two seasons.

After Arizona’s defense accrued injuries at key positions and lost three defensive captains to ACL injuries, Johnson moved into a hybrid linebacker-defensive back role and led the Wildcats in tackles (94) last season.

“It was fun being able to show my versatility and that I can play multiple positions, whether it’s DB or linebacker,� Johnson said.

Johnson credited his ascension over the last two years to Akina, a renowned defensive backs coach who took over the defensive backs coaching vacancy at Texas last month.

“Akina is a great coach,� Johnson said. “Blessed to have been coached by him. I definitely believe he changed my career around for the better. College football these days, that’s just what it is. It’s a business we’re in. One day, something can flip upside down.�

Johnson understands the business side of college football, which is why he tested the waters after Arizona’s disastrous season last year.

“We went 4-8, so I just felt like I owed to myself to check in and see if the U of A was the place for me,� Johnson said. “Ultimately, that’s what I was realized when I got in the portal and that’s why I decided to stay. I’ve been here for four years so I want to finish my career here.�

Seven players who started in Arizona’s defensive secondary last season entered the portal, but the Wildcats retained Johnson, Stukes, cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew and safety Genesis Smith, who explored other options once others left the program. The Wildcats also signed 10 newcomer defensive backs in 2025 — six of them are practicing this spring.

“For me, I was holding on until everyone else left,� said Smith. “I was trying to be the last one. … It just felt like everyone was leaving, so I decided to hop in and check out my options, see what I like, what I didn’t like.�

Smith took an official visit to Washington and flirted with the possibility of joining his former UA teammates and coaches at UW, but Smith felt more at home in Tucson.

“I was like, ‘Alright, well, I know I got my family back at the U of A,’� Smith said. “Arizona, close to home, comfortable system and I ultimately just love it here in Tucson. I love the community, the outreach and I’m just happy to be here.�

It was “significant to get those guys back because they have the experience, they have the talent,� Gonzales said in January.

Smith was another starter who moved around and played multiple positions due to Arizona’s injury issue on defense; he started at free safety, strong safety and nickel back. The Chandler native and former Hamilton Husky had 64 tackles, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a team-high three interceptions. He also received Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Houston.

After a season as the de facto starter at free safety, Smith is in line to lead Arizona’s secondary at a position Gonzales labeled “the bear,� while Stukes, who is out for the spring to rehab an ACL injury, and Johnson are “cats.� Gonzales said the 6-2, 202-pound Smith has “development for what we do coverage-wise.�

“It’s still the free safety position, just a new name on it, a ferocious name,� Smith joked. “There are some different coverages where I roll down and things of that nature, but it’s still free safety.�

Arizona’s defensive scheme under Gonzales has similar fundamentals to the 4-2-5 base defense from the past few seasons, “but we have our own little spice on it that makes it different from last year.�

“We’ve got a long way to go,� Gonzales said, “but we have some pieces that give us a chance, so that’s very exciting.�

Cats host first open spring practice

UA held its first open practice of the spring at Arizona Stadium on Saturday. The Wildcats wore shells (helmets and shoulder pads) to conclude their first week of practice. Here are a few notes and takeaways from Arizona’s third practice:

– Arizona’s offensive skill players used multiple periods to work on a variety of screen passes involving receivers and running backs. Screen passes were among one of many flaws in Arizona’s offense last season. Screen passes to running backs and receivers will be a key component in offensive coordinator Seth Doege’s offense this season.

– The first defensive line used on Saturday was redshirt sophomore edge rusher Dominic Lolesio, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Julian Savaiinaea, redshirt junior defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson and redshirt senior Tre Smith, Arizona’s returning leader in sacks. UT Martin transfer defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight, defensive tackle Tia Savea, Alcorn State defensive end Malachi Bailey, redshirt sophomore Jarra Anderson, Northwestern State transfer defensive end Chancellor Owens and junior-college transfer Leroy Palu were among the names rotating on the defensive line.

– Arizona worked on punting and sophomore Michael Salgado-Medina had a series of 50- to 55-yard punts that landed inside the 20-yard line. Punter Jordan Forbes had a similar booming punt, but Salgado-Medina was more consistent. Arizona appears to be moving away from offensive and defensive linemen as punt protectors in the backfield. Instead, Arizona is trying out tight ends and linebackers to have more athleticism to avoid a situation similar to Kansas State’s 71-yard punt return for a touchdown against the UA in 2024.

– Wide receivers Jeremiah Patterson, Chattanooga transfer Javin Whatley, Washington State transfer Kris Hutson, New Mexico transfer Luke Wysong and walk-on Jordan McCord practiced returning punts.

– After practice on Saturday, Johnson listed West Virginia transfer Ayden Garnes and San Jose State transfer Michael Dansby as standout newcomers so far. Smith noted Stanford safety transfer Jshawn Frausto-Ramos and junior-college transfer cornerback Elijah Brown as early standouts. Said Smith: “We’ve got a lot of new pieces that I’m excited to see out there, so it should be fun.�

– The Wildcats hosted 13 recruits from the 2026, ‘27 and ‘28 classes on Saturday. The ‘26 recruits were Las Vegas safety Gavin Day, Chandler running back Jacob Brown, Phoenix offensive lineman Aaron Thomas and Fresno-area cornerback Donovan Dunmore. Three-star ‘27 tight end Judah Lancaster, a 6-4, 200-pound tight end from Florida’s IMG Academy, was on Arizona’s visitor list. The Wildcats also hosted eight players from Goodyear Desert Edge High School.