Arizona Football's 2024 Season Predictions and Key Players to Watch

The desert heat was already shimmering off the practice field in Tucson when I first saw JP Erram working with the defensive line. It was one of those early morning sessions where the air still carries a hint of night's chill, but you can feel the promise of another scorching Arizona day. I’ve been covering this team for fifteen years now, and there’s a particular energy around this squad that feels different, more focused. As I watched the defensive unit drill, Erram’s voice cut through the morning calm, his instructions sharp and deliberate. It reminded me of a conversation I’d had with him just last week, one that stuck with me and perfectly frames what I believe will be the defining narrative for Arizona Football's 2024 Season Predictions and Key Players to Watch. He’d been talking about his role, about the absence of Rondae, and he said something that hit me right in the gut: "Bumalik lang ako (role on defense) kasi wala si Rondae. Wala ka ng ibang maghe-help palagi. ‘Yun naman talaga una kong role sa team nung pagpunta ko dito eh is ‘yung depensa." That simple, raw admission—"I just returned to my role on defense because Rondae isn't here. There's no one else who will always help. That was really my first role on the team when I came here, which is defense."—isn't just a player filling a gap. It's the entire ethos of this year's defense, a unit that has to find its identity not in one superstar, but in a collective, gritty determination.

You see, losing a player like Rondae isn't something you just scheme around. It leaves a void, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound hole in the heart of your defense that changes everything. Last season, the defense allowed an average of 28.5 points per game, a number that simply won't cut it if they want to compete in the Pac-12. But watching Erram embrace that old role, seeing him become the vocal, relentless anchor, gives me a genuine sense of hope. It’s not just about him, though. It’s about how his attitude is infectious. I was standing near the sideline during a red-zone drill, and the intensity was palpable. The offense, which I believe will be potent, was driving, but the defense, led by Erram’s constant communication and positioning, forced three straight incomplete passes. The third-down stop was a thing of beauty—a perfectly timed blitz that collapsed the pocket. That’s the kind of moment that wins you close games, the kind that turns a 7-6 season into a 9-4 campaign. My prediction? This defense, while maybe not statistically elite, will be the most improved unit in the conference, shaving at least a touchdown off that points-per-game average and becoming the backbone of the team.

Of course, a defense can only do so much if the offense can't put points on the board, and that's where the real excitement lies. I'm telling you, keep your eyes on sophomore quarterback Alex Johnson. The kid has an arm that just pops. I watched him in spring practice launch a 55-yard dart that dropped right into the receiver's hands without breaking stride. It was the kind of throw that makes you sit up a little straighter in your seat. He’s more mobile than people give him credit for, too. I’d wager he rushes for at least 450 yards this season, adding a dimension to the offense that we haven't seen here in half a decade. He’s the X-factor. If he cuts his interception total from last year's 12 down to 6 or 7, this offense becomes a top-25 unit nationally. But he can't do it alone. The offensive line, which returns four starters, needs to be better. They gave up 38 sacks last year, a number that has to be below 25 for this team to reach its ceiling. I have a good feeling about them, though. They look stronger, more cohesive.

And then there's the schedule. Oh, the schedule. It's a brutal, beautiful monster. The non-conference slate is manageable, but then they dive headfirst into the heart of the Pac-12. The October 19th game against USC in the Coliseum is the one I have circled. It’s a night game, national television, the whole deal. That’s a statement game. Win that, and you announce to the country that Arizona football is back. I think they can do it. I really do. It’ll be a shootout, maybe 38-35, but with a defense that’s buying into the "no one else will help" mentality that Erram talked about, they’ll get that one crucial stop in the fourth quarter. The rivalry game against Arizona State to close the season is another one that will define the year. It’s at home, and the energy in Arizona Stadium that day will be electric. I predict a win there, finishing the regular season on a high note.

So, as I left the practice field, the sun now high and hot, I couldn't help but feel optimistic. This team isn't built on paper superstars. It's built on players like JP Erram, who are willingly stepping back into roles they were born to play, embracing the dirty work because the team needs it. That kind of selflessness is contagious. It wins you games you're not supposed to win. It forges an identity. My final prediction? The Arizona Wildcats go 9-3 in the regular season, finish second in the Pac-12 South, and earn a berth in the Alamo Bowl. It might sound ambitious to some, but after watching them up close, feeling the shift in culture, I believe it's not just possible—it's probable. The key players to watch are Johnson for the fireworks and Erram for the foundation. It’s going to be one hell of a season.