Spring ball at Arizona:
"With additions like Riley Wilson, Max Harris and Blake Gotcher, he believes that the defense is able to play with flexibility when it comes to player rotation.
“I think we have a chance to do some really special things in that room because of what we added,” said Gonzales. “Ideally, if we have a good rotation of between seven and nine, we would have a chance to be pretty good and keep those guys fresh and healthy.”
Going along with Wilson, one player Gonzales is really high on is Chase Kennedy, who was third on the Wildcats with five tackles for loss in 2024.
“Chase Kennedy has been outstanding,” Gonzales said. “Both those guys can play on the line of scrimmage and be a dominant defensive end type. You saw what Chase Kennedy was able to do at the beginning of last season, and then Riley was very similar at Montana.”
If Kennedy or Wilson end up being the fourth defensive lineman in certain formations, they will be alongside redshirt senior Tre Smith. Thanks to new defensive line coach Joe Salave’a, Smith has taken a new approach to his technique and overall mindset."
"Montana linebacker Riley Wilson had a quarterback pressure in a team period. Wilson also took reps at punt protection, a position previously played by interior defensive linemen. Under new special teams coordinator Craig Naivar, Arizona is relying on linebackers, tight ends and slimmer defensive ends — positions more suitable for field coverage — to protect the punter."