Arizona Strikes Big in Transfer Portal, Snags Game-Changers from Cal Poly and Colorado—What This Means for the Season

Arizona football’s transfer portal hustle keeps turning heads — just when you think the Wildcats have cashed in their chips with a slick cornerback snatch from Oregon, they drop another defensive ace into their deck. Enter Victory Johnson — a towering edge rusher who’s bouncing from Colorado and Cal Poly with eyes not just on the gridiron but also on one of the nation’s top programs in Information Science. Who says football recruits don’t think with their brains as well as their brawn? Johnson’s move to Tucson isn’t just about sacks and tackles for loss; it’s about mastering machine learning while blitzing quarterbacks. That family vibe Coach Brent Brennan preaches clearly struck a chord, mixing community with clout. Curious how this multidimensional athlete plans to flip the script for Arizona’s defense? You’re about to find out. LEARN MORE.

Arizona football remained proactive on the portal trail even after locking in a former Oregon Duck. The Wildcats land one more defensive talent after luring in Daylen Austin at cornerback. This time to boost the edge with a former Cal Poly/Colorado defender.

Greg Biggins of On3/Rivals revealed Victory Johnson is heading to Tucson on Tuesday. Johnson got to visit the campus while keeping his name available in the College Football Transfer Portal.

Johnson tells Biggins that the family atmosphere head coach Brent Brennan has created emerged as a selling point.

“I’m very excited to be a Wildcat,” Johnson said to Biggins. “The family environment coach Brennan has established, as well as the expertise and experience his defensive staff brings to the table are big for me.”

New Arizona commit adds additional reason for joining Wildcats

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan walks to the end zone with his team during a game against Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 28, 2025. — Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Johnson’s move isn’t solely football related, though.

He revealed the academic reason why he’s heading to the Big 12 university.

“Arizona also has a top 5 master’s program in the country in Information Science, which is my major,” Johnson explained. “I’ll be completing my masters in Machine Learning so just a great all around fit.”

The edge rusher exploded at Cal Poly — grabbing seven tackles for a loss and adding three sacks. The Mustangs have since turned to former UCLA and Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper.

Johnson started out with Colorado back in the 2023 class. The Buffaloes landed a three-star linebacker talent out of San Diego, Ca., powerhouse Cathedral Catholic.

The 6-foot-4 defender has since leaned into the trenches this late into his CFB career. But he tells Biggins the Wildcats will allow him to drop into coverage and blitz from anywhere.

The post Arizona lands ex-Cal Poly, Colorado edge from transfer portal appeared first on ClutchPoints.