Gunner Maldonado, Arizona Football News: Draft Scout Player News

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08/12/22 - FS Gunner Maldonado, rSr/2025, Arizona

DeWayne Walker described the fifth defensive back in Arizona's scheme as a "safety-slash-nickel." Which makes Gunner Maldonado an ideal candidate for the job. First off, Maldonado is a huge fan of Slash, the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses. Playing guitar is one of Maldonado's passions, and Slash inspired him to take up that hobby. Maldonado even has a tattoo of Slash on his left arm (alongside UFC fighter Conor McGregor, another performer Maldonado admires). Second, Maldonado has a diverse skill set. When Johnny Nansen took over the defense and implemented his system, he was looking for players with cornerback skills who also could support the run to play his version of nickel back.

Maldonado, who played a more traditional safety position last season, has risen to the top of the depth chart. "He's smart," safeties coach Chuck Cecil said of Maldonado, who transferred to Arizona from Northwestern in January 2021. "He knows where he's going, why he's going. That's why he's out there." Arizona's starting secondary is basically the same as last season; players have just been slotted into slightly different roles. Christian Young, who played "Viper" - a safety/linebacker hybrid - last year, is now the boundary safety. Jaxen Turner is the field safety, operating out of the high post. Maldonado and Jaydin Young have gone from safety to nickel, where they're typically operating close to the line of scrimmage, covering slot receivers, supporting the run and occasionally blitzing. "I do a lot of different things," Maldonado said after Tuesday's practice. "I think it suits me well." - Arizona Star News

rSr/2025