What does former ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson have in common with Rob Gronkowski, Tedy Bruschi, Marquis Flowers, J.J. Taylor and Nick Folk?
They can all say Bill Belichick was their head coach.
Johnson, who entered the transfer portal last week, committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday. UNC is now coached by Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach and former New England Patriots boss, who took over the program in January.
The 6-1, 322-pound Johnson appeared in 10 games last season for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and missed some time after suffering a leg injury in pregame warmups leading up to the Wildcats’ blowout loss to Colorado. The Chandler product had nine tackles and two sacks last season as a redshirt sophomore.
This spring, UT Martin transfer Deshawn McKnight and Texas transfer Tiaoalii Savea positioned themselves as likely starters at defensive tackle. The Wildcats are also expected to rely on Jarra Anderson, who was held out last season with a leg injury, and junior college transfer Leroy Palu. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is also adding junior college transfers Ezra Funa and Zac Siulepa, a 6-7, 365-pounder from New Zealand, in the summer.
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson (91) works with the linemen at a practice session at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium on Aug. 9, 2024.
With Johnson and defensive end Sterling Lane II leaving ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ through the transfer portal, the Wildcats only have four players left from the program-changing 2022 recruiting class: quarterback Noah Fifita, tight end Tyler Powell, center Grayson Stovall and Savea, who transferred from UCLA at the time. Savea played two seasons at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, transferred to Texas for a season, then returned to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in the spring for his senior year.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ kicks off the 2025 season against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on Aug. 30 in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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