It’s hard not to like Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita.
Between two head coaches and 9,000-plus passing yards, Fifita, the 5-foot-10 gunslinger from Huntington Beach, California, could’ve grabbed many a NIL across the country as a fifth-year senior, but he’s sticking by Brent Brennan to end his career a Wildcat. He’ll do so as the school’s all-time passing touchdown leader (73), too.
Fifita is one of just five Division I quarterbacks to resign with the same school as a senior. On a visit with Yogi Roth on the Y-Option Podcast, Fifita jumped into his personal connection with Arizona and gave his own outlook toward the upcoming season, his last as a college football player.
“You’re staying for people,” Fifita told Roth. “There’s a love and relationship that football brings that’s unique, and then there’s a chance to leave a legacy.”
Last year, Fifita and Brennan took Arizona to the nine-win mark for just the second time since 2014, and just the program’s third bowl appearance since 2017.
Fifita is the obvious frontrunner ahead redshirt freshman Sawyer Anderson and freshman Oscar Rios. Returning wideouts Tre Spivey (381 yards), Chris Hunter (372 yards), Gio Richardson (299 yards), and West Virginia transfer Rodney Gallagher III lend plenty of weapons back to the air raid.
The backfield is likely led by Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts, who is out to make up nearly 900 rushing yards and four touchdowns left by senior Ismali Mahdi. Quincy Craig and Kedrick Reescano each return 65 or more carries out of the backfield.
“We have a belief that we can do what no team has ever done in Arizona history,” Fifita said. “This is my final opportunity to do so.”
Fifita is set for one of the more-exciting senior sendoffs in the Big 12 this season. He’s coming off a First Team All-Big 12 season in 2025, and an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
Still, Fifita said he’s got a few dissenting voices to prove wrong this fall – not that he’s worried.
“I think the haters give me a chip on my shoulder,” Fifita said.
“To be honest, they don’t define me. I’m not too worried about proving them wrong… My dad’s always said, ‘If Michael Jordan and Lebron James are hated,’ what makes you think you won’t be hated’… No matter what I do, there will be critics.”
Fifita is currently a Day 3 projection for the 2027 NFL Draft.
