Arizona S Genesis Smith plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Arizona safety Genesis Smith plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Smith has two years of eligibility remaining.

In 2024, Smith started nine games and appeared in all 12 for the Wildcats. He racked up 64 tackles to go with three interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and six pass breakups.

Smith played in all 13 games as a true freshman, playing as a special teamer and rotational defensive back. He recorded 24 tackles and one interception in 2023.

Smith was a three-star prospect in the 2023 signing class, signing with the Wildcats from Hamilton (Az.) High School. Smith was the No. 447 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

The Wildcats lost another coveted defensive back to the portal

One of the top potential NFL Draft prospects in the country is in the NCAA transfer portal, with Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis entering on Wednesday.

Davis is a junior defensive back for the Wildcats who boasts rare size at 6 foot 4. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2024.

Widely considered an early-round draft pick in the NFL whenever he opts to leave college, Tacario Davis has been a productive multi-year contributor with the Wildcats. He first appeared in five games during the 2022 season.

But after his first season with Arizona, Davis really emerged on the scene. He started 11 of 13 games as a sophomore in 2023, earning AP second-team All-Pac-12 honors.

During his three seasons with the Wildcats, Davis has logged 76 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and 23 passes defended. He has a knack for making plays on the ball in the air.

Prior to enrolling at Arizona, Tacario Davis was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 1,153 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He also checked in as the No. 112 cornerback in his class and the No. 85 overall player from the state of California, hailing from Long Beach (CA) Millikan.

The Draft Network projects Tacario Davis as a potential first-round pick at cornerback when he decides to enter the league. They write:

“In addition to his physical tools and traits, Davis possesses a natural feel for the game. His ability to diagnose, anticipate, and close on the football makes him a versatile and explosive defensive weapon. It’s a skill set that fits multiple defensive schemes, another plus when identifying his potential best fit at the next level.

“Behind his unique combination of size, athleticism, and fundamental coverage skills, Davis remains one of the most intriguing corner prospects in the 2025 pool of talent. With projected continued development—including getting stronger—to come down the line, Davis checks off many of the boxes teams look for in a potential CB1.”