The Arizona Wildcats have had three first-round picks in the NFL Draft in the last 25 years — they could equal that number in the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Field Yates projects three Arizona stars as first-round picks in a mock draft released on Aug. 25 with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 13 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea at No. 121 to the Miami Dolphins and cornerback Tacario Davis at No. 27 to the Dallas Cowboys.
From ESPN on Savaiinaea: “I had the interior offensive line as an area of need for the Dolphins in this past draft, though the team opted against taking anyone there this year. Adding the 6-5, 330-pound Savaiinaea would address it in a literal big way, as the hulking Arizona tackle (who has played extensively at right guard, too) could easily move inside full time. He has the feet to thrive at tackle, but his raw power and ability to create rushing lanes should translate to the pros at guard. Stay out of his way or you might get flattened.”
All three players return on a team that’s playing its first year in the Big 12 Conference in 2024 after going 10-3 in 2023 and closing out the season with a win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. The Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 11 in the final AP Top 25 Poll — the program’s highest finish since finishing the 1999 season ranked No. 4.
Arizona is ranked No. 21 in the AP Preseason Poll. It’s the first time its been ranked in the preseason since 2015.