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As expected, Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes became the first Wildcat taken off the board at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Stukes, who has been widely considered a Day 2 prospect at the NFL Draft, was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders 38th overall in the second round of the draft on Friday. 

Stukes is the first Arizona defensive back drafted to the NFL since Dane Cruikshank in 2018. Stukes is the highest-drafted UA defensive back since first-rounder Antoine Cason in 2008.

He is also the first ex-Wildcat drafted by the Raiders since wide receiver Juron Criner in 2012. 

"I'm super excited to be here, super excited to get to work with these coaches and some of these players on this squad already," Stukes, who had a formal interview with the Raiders in the pre-draft process, told reporters on Friday. 

In his final season as a Wildcat, Stukes was named a third-team Associated Press All-American, becoming the second Wildcat in three seasons to earn AP All-American honors. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was an AP All-American in 2023. Stukes is the first Arizona defensive player to earn AP All-American honors since linebacker Scooby Wright III in 2014. 

Stukes was also named an All-Big 12 first-team selection and an AP All-Big 12 second-teamer, and he locked in a Sporting °µÍø³Ô¹Ï All-American honor.

The sixth-year Stukes, a Phoenix-area native and Goodyear Millennium product who has been a part of three coaching staffs at Arizona and suffered a knee injury in 2024, recorded 52 tackles and four interceptions last season; he was limited the first two games due to his knee rehab.

Stukes' four interceptions are tied for the second-most in the Big 12 this season. Dalton Johnson and cornerback Jay'Vion Cole also have four. 

Stukes' interception in the end zone sparked the Wildcats' three takeaways in the fourth quarter of UA's win over Baylor. His acrobatic interception in the Territorial Cup win over Arizona State was featured on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on ESPN. 

Stukes led an Arizona defense that had one of the best defenses in college football in 2025. Arizona finished seventh in college football in passing defense and first in turnover margin. The Wildcats had more takeaways (31) than touchdowns allowed (28) and led the Big 12 in interceptions (22), which was second nationally. They led college football in takeaways per game (2.5). 

"Getting the ball back to your offense is the most important thing you can do as a defender," Stukes said. "Being a defensive back, you get the most opprtunities in the pass game. Every time the ball is in the air, I want to get it back for our offense, because scoring points win games. ... Football as a whole has recognized the value of turnovers, and I value that as much as anything on the football field."  

Stukes played in 52 games and recorded 206 tackles, seven interceptions, 35 pass deflections and 12 tackles for loss. Stukes is Arizona's highest-graded defender (90.1) on PFF — the highest grade for a UA defensive player behind defensive back Tra'Mayne Bondurant (92), Wright (91.9) and safety Will Parks (91.7).

Stukes played slot cornerback, boundary cornerback and free safety, with the majority of his 2,674 defensive snaps at slot cornerback in his six-year career in °µÍø³Ô¹Ï. Stukes also has experience playing all four special teams units at Arizona.

When Stukes was asked about which positions he plans on pursuing with the Raiders, he answered, "I'm willing to play any of them. I've got some good reps at every defensive back position. Wherever the coaches want me at, whatever the coaches see me fit best, I'm willing to do. Whatever I can do to help the team win games, that's where I'm at." 

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Stukes had the third-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.33 seconds) among safeties — second-fastest 10-yard split (1.50 seconds). Stukes only ran the 40-yard dash once after limping off the field following his first attempt. Stukes recorded the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time for defensive backs. 

Stukes, who started his career as a walk-on, is the last Wildcat to play for former head coach Kevin Sumlin. Stukes was a walk-on during a pandemic-influenced season in 2020, which was capped by the historic 70-7 loss to ASU.

Additionally, he played for three head coaches — Sumlin, Jedd Fisch and Brent Brennan — and five defensive coordinators, he experienced a 20-game losing streak, along with nine-win and 10-win seasons — and the introduction of NIL and revenue-sharing amid the transfer portal era. Every step of the way, Stukes was in °µÍø³Ô¹Ï. 

Now he's officially an NFL player.

"It all goes back to my values," Stukes said. "I go by the motto of HEART: humility, efficacy, accountability, resilience and trustworthiness. I've used those values at every level and every stage of my life. It has helped me grow and keep striving to be my best in all aspects of my life. Right now, football is No. 1 for me and I'm pouring everything I got into football. That has allowed me to have the growth that I've had from being a walk-on to now."  

Added Stukes: "I've got a lot of love for Arizona. I grew from a boy to a man in my time over there. My path wasn't exactly perfect. We had three head coaches and five different defensive coordinators, but I saw that as a blessing. ... I got to pick the brains of a lot of high-level football coaches. I think the ones they have in the building now are fantastic developers. They do it the right way. ... If anyone is trying to get right, go to Arizona." 

For coverage of the Arizona Wildcats in the NFL Draft, check out and The Wildcaster mobile app. 

Extra points

– Washington cornerback Tacario Davis, who spent the first three seasons of his college career at Arizona, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals No. 72 overall in the third round. 

– Arizona State produced two first-round picks for the first time in 25 years. The Sun Devils' first player selected was wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at eighth overall. Tyson's brother, Jaylon, was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. The Tysons are the first brothers to be selected in the first round of the NFL and NBA Draft. ASU's second draft pick was offensive lineman Max Iheanachor, who was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21.