Arizona football fans have spoken. In a recent SB Nation poll, readers selected former Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog as the newcomer most likely to make a difference for the Wildcats this fall. Hartzog, who spent his collegiate career at Nebraska playing cornerback and safety, recorded eight interceptions and is praised for his tenacity despite his listed 5‑foot‑8 stature.

Hartzog’s role in the Wildcats’ defense

At Arizona, Hartzog is slated to start at slot corner, the position that helped launch Treydan Stukes to the NFL draft in April. Coaches and teammates describe him as a “bulldog” who plays larger than his size suggests, bringing experience and ball‑hawking ability to a secondary that aims to improve on last season’s performance.

Second‑place pick: tight end Cole Rusk

The poll’s runner‑up was senior tight end Cole Rusk, a six‑year veteran who transferred from Illinois. Standing 6‑foot‑5, Rusk offers a sizable target for quarterback Noah Fifita and could become a key red‑zone weapon for the Wildcats.

Season outlook

The Wildcats finished the 2025 campaign with a 9‑4 record. Early betting lines from FanDuel Sportsbook project a 7.5‑win total for the 2026 season, indicating modest expectations as the team opens against Northern Arizona University (NAU) on Saturday.

Arizona’s aggressive use of the NCAA transfer portal—adding more than 20 players—demonstrates the program’s commitment to staying competitive in the Pac‑12. With Hartzog anchoring the slot corner position and Rusk bolstering the offense, the Wildcats hope to exceed preseason projections and contend for a conference title.

Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.