Jonah Savaiinaea’s collegiate career with the Arizona Wildcats has officially come to an end as he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. While sidelined by injury during the season finale against Arizona State, he still donned his Wildcats uniform and participated in the pregame coin toss, marking a symbolic farewell.
The 6-foot-5, 336-pound lineman made an immediate impact during his time at Arizona, starting all 36 games he appeared in since his freshman year. Initially playing right guard, Savaiinaea transitioned to right tackle in 2023 and later shifted between both tackle positions due to injuries within the team’s offensive line. In his final five games, he anchored the left tackle spot, showcasing his versatility and reliability.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlights Savaiinaea’s stellar performance over his career, noting that he allowed just eight sacks in 1,544 pass-blocking snaps. In the 2024 season, he earned an impressive 83.4 pass-blocking grade, ranking 13th among offensive tackles in the FBS. His skills have not gone unnoticed, as mock drafts project him as a potential first-round pick, a possibility that would mark consecutive years of first-round offensive linemen from Arizona, following Jordan Morgan’s selection by the Green Bay Packers.
Savaiinaea is the first of three Arizona juniors anticipated to declare for the NFL Draft. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and cornerback Tacario Davis are also expected to enter, with McMillan widely regarded as a lock for the first round. Many projections place him within the top 10 picks.
With Savaiinaea’s declaration, the Wildcats’ NFL pipeline continues to grow, underlining the program’s ability to develop top-tier talent ready to make an impact at the professional level.
