Throughout spring ball and preseason camp, Tyler Powell made the kind of strides that had his coaches regularly mentioning him as a potential breakout candidate for the 2025 season. He also earned the start in Arizona’s opener against Hawaii, his third including two of the last three games in 2024.
But a leg injury suffered on the Wildcats’ first offensive snap has sidelined Powell indefinitely. UA coach Brent Brennan confirmed Thursday that Powell would be out for the rest of the season.
“We’ve got
great people that are going to help him get back on his feet and recover,” Brennan said.
A redshirt junior, Powell has appeared in 25 games in three-plus seasons with the Wildcats. Last year he had five receptions for 40 yards including three against NAU, adding one catch in the Territorial Cup.
“He’s got the natural size and the ability in what you want, he’s got great vertical speed, tight end coach Josh Miller said last month of the 6-foot-7, 248-pound Miller. “I know he catches over 150 balls a day on the JUGS Machine to try to make sure that he’s improving in that skill set.”
After Powell went down against Hawaii the bulk of his snaps at tight end went to redshirt senior Sam Olson, who started 10 games last season, while Cameron Barmore and Tyler Mustain also saw time. Olson is likely to start Saturday against Weber State, though some snaps could also go to Keyan Burnett if he’s cleared.
Brennan said there’s a “chance” Burnett could play, after not dressing for the opener, as well as wide receiver Kris Hutson, though decisions on both wouldn’t be made until after Thursday night’s practice.