When Arizona was at its best on offense in recent years it was because there were plenty of viable options for the quarterback to throw to. That wasn’t the case this past season, as other than future 1st round NFL Draft pick Tetairoa McMillan no other Wildcat had more than 39 catches and that was a running back.
Based on the scheme new offensive coordinator Seth Doege plans to use and the players the UA has added from the transfer portal, that’s not going to be a problem in 2025.
Arizona has picked up a commitment from former Chattanooga wide receiver Javin Whatley, the fifth pass catcher it has gotten from the portal and 21st overall, second to commit on Wednesday along with ex-Oregon State offensive lineman Flavio Gonzalez. He will have one season of eligibility remaining.
The 5-foot-10, 167-pound Whatley had 55 catches for 677 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, adding a kickoff return TD. In four seasons with the Mocs he has 134 receptions for 2,058 yards with 18 total scores and more than 3,000 all-purpose yards.
Whatley will join a receiving corps that will look to replace the production from T-Mac—84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight TDs—by committee. Arizona has also added receivers Luke Wysong (New Mexico), Kris Hutson (Washington State) and Tre Spivey (Kansas State) and tight end Cameron Barmore (Mercyhurst).
The UA brings back Chris Hunter, who emerged as the No. 2 option behind T-Mac down the stretch, as well as Jeremiah Patterson and Devin Hyatt at receiver as well as tight ends Sam Olson and Tyler Powell. Two of the Wildcats’ top signees in the 2025 class are pass catchers in 4-star receiver Isaiah Mizell and 3-star tight end Kellan Ford.
