Arizona Wildcats release 2020 football depth chart before opener vs. Utah

The Arizona Wildcats have known commodities on offense. On defense, not so much.

Head coach Kevin Sumlin’s team released its first 2020 depth chart Tuesday, and there are at least some revelations to take away from it.

Key offseason losses on defense, including three key transfers, and a new group of coaches led by defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, have turned what should have been a strength into a question mark heading into Sumlin’s third season in Tucson.

Nine of the 22 starters on offense or defense are not yet juniors, including redshirt freshman SAM linebacker Kwabena Watson and true freshman Derick Mourning at MIKE.

They now have an opportunity after linebackers Tony Fields II, Colin Schooler and Kylan Wilborn, along with safety Scottie Young Jr., all transferred or entered the portal this offseason.

Defensive end J.B. Brown also opted out of the 2020 season, forcing the Wildcats to adjust.

WILL linebacker Anthony Pandy is back for his senior year after moving from outside linebacker, and senior cornerback Lorenzo Burns also brings a familiar face to the defense. Sophomore Jaxen Turner gets the start at one safety position, while Jarrius Wallace, a senior, and junior Rhedi Short are listed as “or” candidates at the other spot.

Offensively, there is some consistency from a year ago, starting with sophomore quarterback Grant Gunnell, who passed for 1,291 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception as a freshman in 2019. Senior running back Gary Brightwell returns to run behind a relatively experienced line, as do receivers Jamarye Joiner, Boobie Curry and Brian Casteel.

A right guard competition between juniors Robert Congel and Josh Donovan is the only open starting job on offense.

Here’s a peek at the full depth chart for Arizona.

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