Former Cal Poly edge rusher Victory Johnson commits to Arizona

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The phrase “winning the offseason” gets thrown around way too much in sports. But Arizona can say it got a big victory just ahead of spring practice.

The UA has earned a commitment from former Cal Poly edge rusher Victory Johnson, giving the Wildcats a much-needed addition to the defensive line. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-4, 250-pound Johnson appeared in 21 games over two seasons for Cal Poly, registering 36 tackles (eight for loss) with three sacks and an interception and three passes defended. He had 1.5 TFL in a loss at Utah last September.

Johnson, who picked Arizona over Mississippi State and Washington, began his career at Colorado but redshirted after signing from the 2023 class as a 3-star prospect. The UA offered Johnson in November 2021.

Defensive line was an area that Arizona had not addressed in the NCAA transfer portal. It’s only additions to that room came from junior college or the prep ranks, and it moved offensive lineman Kaisi Lafitaga to the defensive side for spring ball, which begins March 24.

Arizona does return Tre Smith, who earned a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending injury after four games, as well as Leroy Palu, Mays Pese and Zac Siulepa, among others.

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