Arizona defensive starters to miss Holiday Bowl

SAN DIEGO—Arizona’s defense, a key strength in 2025, will be missing defensive backs Dalton Johnson, Genesis Smith, and Treydan Stukes for the Holiday Bowl against SMU. Johnson and Stukes are seniors, while Smith is a junior expected to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, collectively holding 86 starts. Arizona ranks 4th nationally in pass defense, allowing 155.9 yards per game, and has a plus-16 turnover margin. Freshmen Dajon Hinton and Coleman Patmon, along with redshirt sophomore Gavin Hunter, will step in to fill the gaps.

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