Trio of former Arizona defensive backs set to participate in NFL combine

Several former Wildcats are getting prepared to take part in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine mainly coming from the Arizona secondary from this past season.

Defensive backs Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Genesis Smith met with the media Thursday before their on-field workout session Friday. The on-field workouts are a big factor on whether or not they might be drafted.

During the media session, Smith revealed that during the Oklahoma State game this past season he fractured his foot. He still decided to play pretty much the rest of the season.

However, the injury can be seen through the statistics. Eleven of his 18 missed tackles during the 2025 season happened in the five games following the Oklahoma State game, per Pro Football Focus. His PFF grades started to decline following the Oklahoma State game before returning back to his usual form against Baylor and ASU.

Even with the injury, Smith was still the fourth leading tackler for the Wildcats with 77 on the season. Given the injury he sustained, Smith wants to show off his explosion during the on-field workouts.

“My explosion, my fluidity, and my back pedal and just how I move as a DB, along with my ball skills as well,” said Smith on what he wants to showcase during the on-field workouts.

Before talking with the media, he met formally with the Panthers, Raiders, Texans, Chiefs and Buccaneers, and informally with the Steelers and Vikings. Smith will still participate in all on-field workouts except for the 40-yard dash.

Smith was not the only Wildcat that dealt with injuries during his time at Arizona. Stukes missed nearly the entire 2024 season with an ACL injury. 

Stukes came back to Tucson, using his medical redshirt, and finished the season with 52 tackles and four interceptions. While he has many strengths on the field and showed them off this season, that’s not what he thinks is his biggest strength.

“I’m really proud of the way I’ve grown in the mental aspect of the game,” Stukes said. “Becoming a defensive back, it’s not just run out there and hit, you gotta know what’s going on around you and what your scheme is about and what you’re trying to accomplish every time you’re out there.”

Johnson, the third Wildcat that will participate in the on-field workouts tomorrow, was the most productive player this past season. He had 97 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. 

Throughout the coaching transitions of Kevin Sumlin to Jedd Fisch then to Brent Brennan, Johnson was one of the most consistent players across the coaching changes. 

After a long five years with Arizona, it’s safe to say that participating in the combine is a bucket list item for Johnson.

“I feel blessed, super excited,” said Johnson. “This is what we dream of as kids. Now it’s time to live it.”

He met informally with the Lions earlier Thursday. The on-field workouts will be streamed on NFL Network Friday from 1-6 p.m. MT.