Kevin Sumlin gives update on Trevon Mason and Kane Bradford

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

No Arizona Wildcats position group is hurting for bodies more than the defensive line.

Arizona had no more than a half dozen d-linemen available during spring practice, and therefore made a concerted effort to add a host of big bodies to the roster during the 2019 recruiting cycle.

The Wildcats landed four defensive linemen, a pair of high school and junior college prospects.

“The only way you can get better, you cannot get behind in roster numbers,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said Wednesday at Pac-12 Media Day.

However, two of those additions, Trevon Mason and Kane Bradford, did not join the team for spring ball or summer conditioning, putting Arizona’s defensive line depth back in question heading into training camp.

The good news? Sumlin said Wednesday that Mason, a three-star prospect from Navarro College, is expected to report to training camp Thursday, according to Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star.

The not-so-good news? Arizona is reportedly still waiting on Bradford, a three-star prospect from Skyline High School in Dallas, to receive clearance. (This lines up with UA records, which currently list Mason as an active student but not Bradford.)

Defensive tackle Trevon Mason is cleared and is expected to report for training camp Thursday, Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin said. Team is still waiting on fellow DT Kane Bradford. All other newcomers expected to report, per Sumlin.

— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) July 24, 2019

Having Mason and Bradford (assuming he joins the team at some point) will only help the Wildcats piece together a formidable defensive line, but they have missed a lot of time at this point, and it could hamper how much they are able to contribute in their first seasons as Wildcats.

Listed at 6-foot-7, 305 pounds, Mason was viewed as someone who could step in right away and help fill the void left by productive starters Dereck Boles (graduation) and PJ Johnson (NFL Draft).

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Bradford would likely serve as depth, seeing that he is only a true freshman.

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