TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona football had 12 players selected to Athlon Sports Preseason All-American or All-Big 12 Teams, as announced today by the publication.
The Big 12 Conference had 18 All-American Team selections with the Wildcats nabbing four honors. Arizona earned one first-team offense All-American, one third-team defense All-American, and two fourth-team All-Americans (1 offense, 1 defense).
The Wildcats received eight preseason selections by Athlon Sports before the 2023 season and have grown that number to 12 as they head into a new conference. Arizona has a group of returning talent following a 10-win season including a Valero Alamo Bowl victory that put Arizona at No. 11 in the final AP Poll to finish last season.
Athlon Sports Preseason All-Americans
Tetairoa McMillan (WR) - First-Team All-American Offense.
Tacario Davis (DB) - Third-Team All-American Defense.
Jonah Savaiinaea (OL) - Fourth-Team All-American Offense.
Jacob Manu (LB) - Fourth Team All-American Defense.
McMillan grabs another preseason First-Team All-American Honor, this time from Athlon Sports. He recorded the second-most receiving yards (1,402) and receptions (90) in program history in 2023. He also tied for the 8th-most touchdown receptions further cementing himself in Wildcats lore. This outstanding performance came on the heels of setting the program's freshman record in single-season receiving yards (702) in 2022. He enters the 2024 season with the 8th most career-receiving yards in program history (2,104) and the 8th most career-touchdown receptions (18) in Arizona football history.
Davis was named Third-Team All-American after leading the conference with 15 pass breakups and 16 passes defended in 2023. He earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 for the first time in his collegiate career following last season.
Savaiinaea was named Fourth-Team Offense All-American after a 2023 season that saw him earn Pac-12 Honorable Mention. He started all 13 games and finished second on the team in overall blocking grade (69.7). Savaiinaea's work on the offensive line helped the Wildcats finish with the 8th-best passing attack in the nation last season.
Manu was selected Fourth-Team All-American by Athlon Sports after he led the Pac-12 with 116 tackles and earned AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 First-Team honors following the 2023 season.
Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12
First-Team Offense: Tetairoa McMillan (WR)
, Jonah Savaiinaea (OL)
First-Team Defense: Jacob Manu (LB)
, Tacario Davis (DB)
First-Team Specialists: Tyler Loop (K)
Third-Team Offense: Noah Fifita (QB),
Josh Baker (OL)
Third-Team Defense: Tre Smith (DL),
Treydan Stukes (S)
Fourth-Team Offense: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB),
Wendell Moe (OL)
Fourth-Team Defense: Gunner Maldonado (S)
These selections are based on how these players are expected to perform in 2024. Career statistics and previous awards matter in the player evaluation but choosing players for the 2024 All-America team and all-conference teams is largely based on predicting and projecting the upcoming year.
Arizona opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. MST against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium on ESPN.
