Arizona spring football notes, practice 12: Chubba Ma'ae takes reps on offensive line

As the Wildcats gear up for the final week of spring ball, here are notes and takeaways from Arizona's dozenth practice on Saturday:

* In the first team period, quarterback Noah Fifita evaded pass-rushers, scrambled right and connected with Washington State transfer slot receiver Kris Hutson for a huge gain.

* Defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea, defensive end Tre Smith, Montana transfer linebacker Riley Wilson and Texas State transfer Max Harris each recorded sacks. Reserve linebacker Leviticus Su'a had a tackle for loss. San Jose State transfer cornerback Michael Dansby had a pass breakup on a deep pass to Kansas State transfer receiver Tre Spivey. Redshirt freshman edge rusher Eduwa Okundaye sacked Fifita. Defensive tackle Deshawn McKnight and Wilson combined for a sack in one of the final periods of practice. Linebacker Taye Brown also sacked Fifita.   

* Wisconsin transfer quarterback Braedyn Locke launched a 70-yard touchdown to redshirt freshman receiver Brandon Phelps, a rising prospect at "X" receiver, along with Spivey and walk-on Rex Haynes. Phelps continues to be among the standouts at receiver this spring.  

* Defensive tackle-converted-offensive lineman Chubba Ma'ae played his first team reps of spring. Ma'ae played left guard alongside center Shancco Matautia and tackle Michael Wooten.  

* UA redshirt senior kicker Cash Peterman was a perfect 4 for 4 in the first field goal period. Peterman made field goals from 38, 48, 31 and 38 yards. Sophomore kicker and punter Michael Salgado-Medina was 3 for 4 and missed a 43-yarder down the middle, albeit ended the period with a 43-yard field goal from the right hash. 

* Arizona hosted nearly 40 high school prospects on Saturday, including nine players from Phoenix Cesar Chavez. The Wildcats had three 2025 prospects in attendance: Salpointe Catholic kicker Kyah Francone, Mica Mountain tight end Jake Johnson and Virginia athlete Keith Mitchell, who's a senior at Petersburg High School, the same school that produced UA legend Ricky Hunley. Francone made 93 of 96 PATs and 18 of 24 field goals in two seasons. His longest field goal was 54 yards. 

* UA hosted several Texas recruits: four-star 2026 tight end Jaivion Martin (Pflugerville), three-star 2027 defensive back Jalani Culpepper (Georgetown) and three-star 2026 running back Keilan Chavies (Hutto). 

* Arizona also hosted brothers and defensive linemen Kingston "Lucky" Shirmer (2026) and Miles Shirmer (2027), two standouts from Centennial High School in Corona, California.

* Arizona had several referees for Saturday's practice, including Hall of Fame official Cleo Robinson. 

* The program hosted over 40 UA professors for "Professors at Practice." The professors toured the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility, talked to Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois and other UA football coaches and staffers.