Arizona senior defensive back Treydan Stukes is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the Wildcats' upset win over No. 10 Utah nearly two weeks ago, a source told the Star on Tuesday.聽
Since Stukes, a two-year captain for the Wildcats, played in four games this season, he could medically redshirt and return for a sixth season in 2025.聽
Stukes
Stukes, a Litchfield Park native, joined Arizona as a walk-on under former head coach Kevin Sumlin during the pandemic-influenced season in 2020. After former UA head coach Jedd Fisch was hired for the 2021 season, Stukes received a scholarship and became a mainstay in the Wildcats' secondary.聽
In 43 games over his UA career, with 28 starts, Stukes recorded 154 tackles, three interceptions and 25 pass deflections.
Stukes initially started his collegiate career as a boundary cornerback but moved to nickel back, also called "Star," last season. When Arizona's first-year head coach Brent Brennan was hired earlier this season, Stukes, Maldonado and strong safety Dalton Johnson simultaneously announced their return for this season. Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina referred to the 6-2, 198-pound Stukes as "one of the best-kept secrets in college football right now."
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Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes suffered an ACL injury in the win at Utah and missed the rest of the 2024 season.
With Stukes out, sophomore Genesis Smith, who has two interceptions this season, will likely take over the nickel back role in Arizona's defensive secondary. When Maldonado exited the Texas Tech game, Smith moved to free safety and Colgate transfer Owen Goss played nickel back.
Arizona (3-2) faces No. 14 BYU (5-0) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. on Fox.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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