After a strong close to the season against Arizona State last weekend, Arizona coach Brent Brennan stood at the podium Monday for his weekly press conference and went over a number of things that included how the school is doing in athletics overall, what the week is going to look like in terms of practice while the Wildcats wait to find their bowl destination and opponent, and the recruiting class that is highly touted.
“Lot of momentum here at the University of Arizona”
While the Arizona football team ended its season on a 5-0 run, they are not the only team on campus that is hot.
Both men and women’s basketball teams have started their seasons undefeated — the women with a new coach, Becky Burke.
The volleyball team was just selected to the NCAA tournament for the 30th time and first time since 2018.
“There’s just a lot of momentum here at the University of Arizona right now,” Brennan said in his opening remarks. “It’s been an incredible month with everything that’s been going on with our men’s and women’s basketball teams, our volleyball team going to the NCAA’s and the success the football team has had on the field.”
What the Wildcats will do while they wait
After a rollercoaster season that included only one double-digit loss, the Wildcats find themselves wondering where they will be headed come bowl season, although the favored pick among fans is the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
While practice is always important, when a team does not know who it will be facing, it makes it tough to get ready.
“Big recovery week for us. We’ll have some work for (weight-training) coach Carroll (Cullen) and the weight staff over the next couple days,” Brennan said. “It’s a long season and the physical brand of football we play, our bodies are beat up, so a little bit of rest, a lot of recovery, (and) a lot of time in the training room.”
The Class of 2026 recruiting class
After the weekend, Arizona looks towards early signing day Wednesday with a class that includes six four-star recruits, a unique feat for the program.
Brennan credits his coaching staff, general manager Gaizka Crowley and director of scout Fletcher Kelly for the high-level recruiting performance.
“I think we have a great group of recruiters here,” Brennan said. “I think people in our personnel department — I talk about Gaizka a lot, talk a lot about Fletcher Kelly,” Brennan said, crediting the group for the work they put in. “Recruiting is an everyday thing; it’s an exhausting thing. It’s also really fun, and I think the momentum we have as a football program is also showing up on the recruiting trail.”
ARIZONA CLASS OF 2026 RECRUITING CLASS
Star rating by 247Sports
| Player | Pos | Ht / Wt | Stars | School/Hometown |
| RJ Mosley | WR | 6-4 / 185 | 4 | Pittsburg (CA) HS |
| Xaier Hiler | CB | 6-4 / 180 | 4 | Denton (TX) Ryan HS |
| Malachi Joyner | OT | 6-4 / 275 | 4 | Gilbert Williams Field HS |
| Oscar Rios | QB | 6-3 / 175 | 4 | Downey (CA) HS |
| Henry Gabalis | TE | 6-4 / 215 | 4 | Everett (WA) Archbishop Murphy HS |
| Justin Morales | OT | 6-4 / 265 | 4 | El Paso (TX) Franklin HS |
| Brandon Smith | RB | 6-0 / 185 | 3 | Fresno (CA) Central East HS |
| Caleb Smith | WR | 5-8 / 160 | 3 | Allen (TX) HS |
| Keytrin Harris | DL | 6-3 / 290 | 3 | Chandler Compass Prep HS |
| Prince Williams | Edge | 6-3 / 255 | 3 | Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman HS |
| Jaden Parker | LB | 6-1 / 225 | 3 | Anna (TX) HS |
| Hannibal Carter Navies | S | 6-2.5 / 195 | 3 | Loganville (Ga.) Grayson HS |
| Manoah Faupusa | DL | 6-2 / 360 | 3 | Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic HS |
| Khalil Sanogo | OT | 6-4 / 300 | 3 | Mansfield (TX) Legacy HS |
| Hamisi Juma | WR | 6-4 / 195 | 3 | Chandler HS |
| Nathan Allen | IOL | 6-5 / 275 | 3 | Carlsbad (CA) HS |
| Griffin Tillis | S | 5-11 / 185 | 3 | Spring (TX) Grand Oaks |
| Harvie Moeai | Edge | 6-4 / 225 | 3 | Lehi (UT) Skyridge |
| Kaisi Lafitaga | IOL | 6-3 / 290 | 3 | Tafuna (Pago Pago, AS) HS |
| Michael Langi | IOL | 6-3 / 265 | 3 | San Francisco Archbishop Riordan HS |
| Kevin Moorer | DL | 6-4 / 277 | 3 | Hutchinson (KS) CC |
| Dash Fifita | NA | 5-10 / 185 | 3 | Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic HS |
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