The contingent of Servite High School alumni has grown by one for the Arizona Wildcats football program, after offensive lineman Shancco "Ise" Matautia announced on Friday that he's transferring to the Wildcats following three seasons at New Mexico.Â
Matautia transferred to the Wildcats' in-state rival Arizona State in the spring following the firing of UNM head coach Danny Gonzales, who's now the UA's linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, but Matautia entered the transfer portal in December.Â
Matautia, a 6-2, 346-pound offensive lineman, graduated from Servite in Anaheim, California and was teammates with Arizona star quarterback Noah Fifita, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, linebacker Jacob Manu and tight end Keyan Burnett.
With four of Arizona's five starters on the offensive line back from last season, and sophomore Raymond Pulido moving over to left tackle this spring, right guard has been one of Arizona's most highly competitive positions. Redshirt junior Leif Magnuson, who appeared in 11 games last season, Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost and San Jose State transfer Ryan Stewart were among players competing at right guard this spring.Â
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At New Mexico, Matautia played guard and started 20 games for the Lobos from 2021-23.Â
In the transfer portal, Arizona has added five offensive linemen between Matautia, Doost, Stewart and tackles Michael Wooten (Oregon) and Jonah Rodriguez (San Diego State).Â
The Wildcats have added 16 prospects in the transfer portal since the hiring of Arizona head coach Brent Brennan.Â
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
