Arizona vs. SMU: 5 NFL draft prospects to watch in the Holiday Bowl

The SMU Mustangs (8-4) and the Arizona Wildcats (9-3) are set to face off in the 46th Holiday Bowl on Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium with kickoff at 5 p.m.

Here’s a look at five potential NFL prospects to watch in the third all-time meeting between the Mustangs and Wildcats. This list presumes no players opt out of the game before kickoff:

Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona, Sr.

Stukes had a bounce-back season after playing only four games in 2024 before tearing his ACL. The former walk-on earned multiple All-America nods with 52 tackles and four interceptions, including third-team recognition for the Associated Press. He was the first defensive back for the Wildcats to earn AP All-America honors since Antoine Cason in 2007. Stukes features size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), explosive athleticism (even post-ACL) and is an elite processor. He has an outside shot at being picked towards the backend on day two of the draft. Stukes recently accepted an invitation to play in the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Genesis Smith, S, Arizona, Jr.

Smith earned third-team All-Big 12 recognition for the Wildcats after producing 77 tackles, eight passes defensed, two forced fumbles and an interception. The former three-star recruit was a big part of an elite pass defense that allowed the fourth-fewest pass yards per game (155.9) in the nation. Arizona also permitted the lowest passer rating (95.16) in the FBS. Smith features the size (6-2, 202), range and anticipatory skills to thrive as a center fielder in single-high coverage.

Romello Brinson, WR, SMU, Sr.

Brinson’s combination of size (6-2, 190), athleticism and playmaking ability should make him an intriguing Day 3 option. The Miami transfer was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 24 wide receiver nationally by ESPN in 2021. He’s shown flashes throughout his collegiate career, but consistency has been an issue. Brinson accepted an invitation to play in the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Isaiah Smith, Edge, SMU, Sr.

Smith earned second-team All-ACC recognition with 8½ sacks this season, his third straight year with at least five sacks. His 17 tackles for loss are tied for seventh in the FBS. The D.C. native is lean at 6-4, 248 pounds, but he has heavy hands and utilizes an effective bull rush when he can’t beat tackles to the edge.

P.J. Williams, T, SMU, Jr.

The former four-star recruit was an Under Armour All-American in 2022 and spent his first year at Texas A&M before joining the Mustangs. Williams is now a two-time All-ACC honoree with experience at both tackle positions. He features prototypical size (6-5, 313), arm length and premium movement skills. If Williams enters the draft, he’d be one of the most physically gifted players at his position, but there’s still a lot of technical refinement needed to help him reach his immense potential.