Arizona set to host San Jose State transfer DL Soane Toia

San Jose State transfer defensive lineman Soane Toia is making plans for his first portal visit.

The junior has one year of eligibility remaining and can play immediately. He tells On3 that he has scheduled a visit to Arizona. He’s slated to arrive in Tucson on Friday.

An All-Mountain West Second Team selection this past season, he opted to enter the transfer portal on Monday after Brent Brennan left San Jose State for the Arizona job, opening a 30-day portal window for the Spartans.

Former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was hired as Brennan‘s successor at San Jose State over the weekend. He put together a 109–83 overall record in 16 seasons with the Midshipmen. He’s set to move away from his running the triple-option offense for a more modern offensive scheme.

Toia had a career-best season, tallying 37 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023. He was named to Phil Steele’s First-Team Postseason Mountain West Team, too. The 6-foot, 280-pound defensive lineman has 93 career tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Arizona readying for jump to Big 12

A three-star prospect coming out of Grace Brethren (California), Soane Toia’s visit to Arizona will reunite him with Brennan and multiple members of the San Jose State coaching staff. A major pickup for the Wildcats on Tuesday was landing Cullen Carroll, who will serve as the program’s new director of strength and performance. He previously filled the same role at San Jose State last year.

Arizona has seen 10 players leave the program since Fisch took the Washington job earlier this month. The Wildcats scored a big win this past weekend, however, with quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan announcing their return instead of heading to Seattle.

Brennan’s first season will coincide with Arizona making the move from the Pac-12 to Big 12. The Wildcats are slated to open the season on Aug. 31 against New Mexico. They open Big 12 play on Sept. 14 at Kansas State.