​There don’t seem to be any magazine covers featuring Noah Fifita with the phrase “Hand Him the Heisman.” And there won’t be. The lack of national buzz around Arizona’s senior quarterback, or the program as a whole, is understandable. After a surprisingly strong 2025 season for both the passer and the team, few observers regard Arizona as one of the country’s elite programs. By five or six months from now, once the regular season has concluded, that perception might be proven accurate. But when it comes to Arizona and the 2026 season, the hope is that it’s incorrect.
This could be a now-or-never situation for the Wildcats. It makes sense that Arizona is emphasizing Fifita; he is the face of the program and deserves as much promotion as possible. At Big 12 Media Days, handing out the quarterback’s resume was a thoughtful gesture. “I think we’re incredibly blessed to have a quarterback like Noah Fifita that definitely has a Heisman resume, and some of you all can check that data in front of you, because I think we passed out a resume to everybody in the building,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “Noah Fifita is the best story in college football.”
That narrative could come to a close after this season. You’d have to rewind to 2021 to find the last time Arizona entered a season with real QB uncertainty. This will be Fifita’s third straight year as the unquestioned starter, and health permitting, he should hold program records for career passing touchdowns, passing yards, and, hopefully, wins when his time ends. When you factor in his leadership and character in the locker room and beyond, Arizona has gained something truly special from a player and person who will be difficult to replace. And yes, they’ll have to replace him after this season.
No pressure? There’s a little, maybe a lot. “We want to go out there and get him that Heisman,” receiver Tre Spivey told the Arizona Daily Star’s Justin Spears at Big 12 Media Days. “That’s all we can talk about, making sure that Noah gets the Heisman this year.” Fellow wideout Chris Hunter added: “He’s the greatest quarterback in the nation. We believe that. We do everything we can to make sure the whole world knows that.” That’s exactly the kind of sentiment you’d expect from teammates. And if a few receivers and the rest of the squad play a bit harder or stay more focused because of what they want for their QB, that’s a positive byproduct.
But while Fifita’s Heisman odds are understandably long—FanDuel Sportsbook lists him at +10,000—the very fact that Arizona’s coaches, players, and football staff can even discuss the possibility without it sounding absurd underscores how unique this situation is for the program. Heisman or not, Arizona has a high-level senior quarterback in Fifita. And for some evaluators, he might very well be the best quarterback in the country.