After just the fourth collegiate game of his career, freshman Caleb ‘Jet’ Smith has been named Big 12 Freshman of the week. It is his first conference player of the week honor and is the eighth Wildcat to earn Big 12 honors since Arizona joined the conference, including quarterback Noah Fifita last week.
*Stats vs Washington State:
Four receptions, 86 receiving yards, one touchdown, 122 all-purpose yards*Season stats: Six receptions, 100 receiving yards, one touchdown, 57 kickoff return yards, 110
punt return yards, one punt return touchdown.
In the third quarter in Pullman, Fifita connected with Smith on three straight plays. Gains of three and 41 yards set up the 38 yard touchdown connection between the two. As Smith continues to show his play-making ability, he has earned more playing time.
In the game against NIU, Smith had a 69 yard punt return that solidified Arizona control in that game. His speed and quick change of direction has now made him a serious threat on both the Wildcats’ offense and special teams.
Smith’s big plays have come at the right time with Giovanni Richardson still out with injury. Brent Brennan credits both Smith’s natural skills, as well as wide receiver coach Bobby Wade‘s help in the transition from high school to college to the sudden emergence from the freshman.
“It’s been fun to see Jet start to emerge as a playmaker for us. He’s just a young player, and it’s hard to transition from high school to college, it’s a big jump, right? I think Coach (Bobby) Wade’s done a great job with Jet getting him going and being patient and helping him learn, and then you got to see some of his talent show up because now he’s playing with confidence.”
He joins Fifita (who won Big 12 offensive player of the week last week), Ismail Mahdi (2025), Quincy Craig (2025), Dalton Johnson (2025), Genesis Smith (2024) Tyler Loop (2024), Tacario Davis (2024), and Tetairoa McMillan (2024) in Wildcats to earn Big 12 player of the week honors. Arizona also earned offensive line of the week last season after the win over Kansas State.
Arizona comes back to Tucson for its Big 12 home opener against Cincinnati. In the first ever meeting between the two schools, the Wildcats went into Nippert Stadium and upset the then ranked Bearcats. Cincinnati comes in unbeaten and looking for revenge, the second matchup should be one for the history books.
