One of the stalwarts of Arizona’s defense is done for the rest of the season due to injury.
UA coach Brent Brennan confirmed Thursday that senior edge rusher Tre Smith had surgery that will keep him out
for the remainder of 2025. No details were provided on the injury.
“We love Tre Smith, awesome player and awesome human being,” Brennan said at his Thursday press conference.
One of the transfers who followed Brennan from San Jose State, Smith started all 12 games for the Wildcats in 2024 and four of five this fall. He dressed for the Kansas State game but did not play after leaving the previous contest early with a lower body injury.
Smith, who played 24 games at San Jose from 2021-23, had 60 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks with Arizona.
His absence will likely move senior Malachi Bailey into the starting lineup. Bailey, a transfer from Alcorn State, started for Smith against Kansas State and had 1.5 TFL in the 23-17 win.
Arizona could also move more to a 3-down lineman formation or even two, with four linebackers, for Saturday’s matchup with No. 18 BYU. This season defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales has had up to five linebackers on the field at any point.
