Spring ball has wrapped up for Arizona football, and while some players sat out for recovery and health reasons, the past month gave newcomers and young players a golden opportunity to step up, showcase their skills, and prove their football IQ. The coaching staff now has a clearer picture of the talent that could take the field this fall, and a few names have risen above the rest.

After a brief break in May, the team will return for summer workouts. But for now, let's take a closer look at four players who truly shined during spring practices and made their presence felt.

Louis Akpa, Redshirt Freshman Offensive Lineman
If you listened to the coaching staff this spring, two names kept coming up again and again. One of them was Louis Akpa. Although he didn't see game action in 2025, Akpa has been learning from veteran Tristan Bounds, who is recovering from surgery and sat out most of spring ball. Now, Akpa is putting those lessons to work. Offensive coordinator Seth Doege couldn't hide his excitement: "He's really surpassed what I thought he was going to do this spring. He's making really good calls in the run game and the pass game. He's throwing people across his face at a violent rate and really looks like he belongs out there." With Akpa taking major strides, the offensive line suddenly has more depth than expected. And with Bounds coming off a serious injury, Akpa gives the staff some much-needed peace of mind in an emergency. "I do think we're at a healthy, healthy spot at O-line that we haven't had these last couple years," Doege added. Offensive line coach Josh Oglesby echoed that sentiment: "It's one of the deepest tackle situations I've been a part of in a long time. You look up and think, how did that happen?"

Dominic Lolesio, Redshirt Junior Defensive Lineman
The other name that kept popping up was Dominic Lolesio. In seasons past, it felt like he wasn't quite ready to hold his own on the defensive line. But this spring, everything clicked. Lolesio showed the kind of growth and physicality that coaches love to see. He's now looking like a player who can make a real impact when the season kicks off, giving the defense a much-needed boost up front.

Spring ball is all about development, and for Arizona football, these two players—along with others who stepped up—have given the coaching staff plenty of reasons to be optimistic. As the team heads into summer workouts, the foundation is being built for a competitive fall season.