Hey guys, just wanted to post my article from last night in here and share some quick takes on the defensive

Quick takes:

- The defensive line is deeper and have a legitimate 9 to 10 guys that you can play throughout games

- Too many penalties. Arizona needs to play smarter as the Wildcats get ready for MSU

- Isaiah Taylor did a great job filling in for Gunner Maldonado after the ejection (was the right call) and he should be starting


My article:

GAME INFO

Who: Arizona (0-0) vs. NAU (0-0)
When: 7 p.m. (MST)
Where: Arizona Stadium | Tucson, Arizona
TV: Pac-12 Network
All-time series: Arizona leads 15-2 (Last meeting: 21-19 NAU win; Sept. 18, 2021)
Odds: Arizona (-28.5) O/U 59.5

Hey everybody, the 2023 season is finally here!

I'm getting the game thread started here early with about seven hours until the 7 p.m. MST kickoff at Arizona Stadium between the Wildcats and the Lumberjacks. Revenge is the name of the game for the UA, who suffered arguably one of its worst losses in program history to NAU two seasons ago in year one of the Jedd Fisch era. Two years later, with two completely different rosters, the two teams face again.

Pregame Notes (as of the 2022 season):
• Arizona averaged 4.89 yards per rush
• NAU averaged 3.24 yards per rush
• Arizona averaged 42.2% 3rd down conversions
• NAU averaged 39.9% 3rd down conversions
• Arizona averaged 5.4 penalties per game
• NAU averaged 4.9 penalties per game

Injury notes:
Arizona running back DJ Williams is limited heading into the season opener

Here is my recap on Arizona's season opening 38-3 win over NAU:

Hey guys, to get you ready for the game, Matt and I have you covered with our pregame podcast:

arizona.rivals.com/news/podcast-p…

Hey guys, one of my favorite articles to do during the football season is the Tale of the Tape that breaks down Arizona and its opponent that week.

Here's the first edition of Tale of the Tape getting you ready for the NAU game:

Here is my article on Arizona's improved offensive line since its last game against NAU.

Arizona announced Wednesday morning that they have hired John DeRouin as the new Director of Player Development!

DeRouin joins the Wildcats after spending last season as a rehab pitching coordinator for the Detroit Tigers. He also spent time as the pitching coordinator and instructor with Hop's Athletic Performance in Rhode Island, years as a pitching coordinator, instructor, and coach with North East Baseball, and two years as a pitching coach with the New England Scorpions.

"Coach DeRouin is a bright, young mind that we're excited to add to our staff," coach Chip Hale said. "Our director of player development plays a vital role to the success of our program, and I believe his knowledge and insight will be exceedingly valuable to every pitcher on our staff. Our team places advanced technology at the core of our pitcher development program and coach DeRouin will help us continue to shape and enhance that curriculum."

DeRouin's responsibilities with UA will include the assessment and development of Arizona pitchers.

Arizona has asked us not to release the depth chart til the start of Jedd Fisch's press conference for some reason. However, I'll share it inside here.

OFFENSE:

QB Jayden de Laura, Noah Fifita, Brayden Dorman
RB: Michael Wiley, Jonah Coleman, Rayshon Luke, DJ Williams (injured)
WR (X): Tetairoa McMillan, AJ Jones
WR (F): Jacob Cowing, Kevin Green Jr.
WR (Z) Montana Lemonious-Craig, Malachi Riley
TE: Tanner McLachlan, Keyan Burnett
LT: Jordan Morgan, Joesph Borjon
LG: Wendell Moe, Leif Magnuson
C: Josh Baker
RG: Raymond Pulido, JT Hand
RT: Jonah Savaiinaea, Sam Langi


DEFENSE:

KAT: Isaiah Ward, Russell Davis, Jeremy Mercier, Dominic Lolesio, Sterling Lane
TACKLE: Tia Savea, Tyler Manoa
NOSE: Bill Norton, Sio Nofoagatoto'a
END: Taylor Upshaw, Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, Orin Patu
WILL: Jacob Manu, Taye Brown
MIKE: Daniel Heimuli, Justin Flowe
STAR: Treydan Stukes, Martell Irby
BC: Ephesians Prysock, Tacario Davis
FC: Dylan Wyatt, Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine
BS: Dalton Johnson, DJ Warnell
FS: Gunner Maldonado, Isaiah Taylor


Well, my first thoughts are that I'm shocked that Isaiah Taylor isn't starting and a little surprised that Heimuli is starting over Flowe.

Hey guys, since this is the last season of the Pac-12 as we know it, I wanted to ask and see if anyone is making some road trips this season?

Also, even if you aren't, please join the conversation and share your favorite trip you have taken during football season and why?

Personally, my favorite trip in the conference I've been on is at Washington. Husky Stadium is amazing and hands down my favorite college stadium. The view of the lake from the press box is unmatched. Unfortunately, I sent during the COVID season and didn't get the crazy fan environment that the place is known for.

Hey everyone, here is my article on Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura's development and added comfortability since joining the UA:

There have been reports that Arizona has added Evan Manning as the new Director of Basketball Operations and former NBA coach David Blatt.

Not sure what Blatt's role will be. However, I'm working on getting confirmation on both.

Hey guys, last night I went to the Salpointe game to get videos and photos of both Elijah Rushing and Keona Wilhite.

I wanted to let you guys know what I thought and how they are developing.


Elijah Rushing - Last season, Rushing was a little thin for his position and struggled against linemen in the running game.

But, he has legitimately added to his frame and I would say he is sitting at 245 to 250 right now. He was explosive and had added a bull rush to his game.
I think he could be a five-star recruit by the time he signs with Arizona.


Keona Wilhite - I was very impressed with Wilhite. He is now 245 of pure muscle. His speed has improved drastically and he has better moves to get to the QB. I think he could move to a four-star kid by signing day.


I was going to interview both of them, but Rushing had a concussion and so I told him I would get him next time.


Here's some highlights from the game:

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media

Hi everyone, below is my article on the first look on Arizona's first game of the season against NAU:

My phone dinged from Bleacher Report. Herm Edwards just fired after yesterday's home loss to Eastern Michigan. Unclear what interim HC situation is.

Here is my article on five takeaways from Jedd Fisch's weekly press conference on Monday afternoon:

Hey guys, I wanted to come on in and share my defensive depth chart for the season. Now there is one position that I'm not 100% sure on. However, I went with who I would play and what I've seen.

Here is my article about the UA cornerbacks this season and what they can bring to the table under first year cornerbacks coach John Richardson:

Hey guys, Salpointe's season starts tonight against Marana, which means both Arizona commits Elijah Rushing and Keona Wilhite will be in action.


Here's a little something a head of game time on how Elijah Rushing ended up with the Wildcats:

A look across the conference here:

Hey guys, nothing is official yet but it has been reported that Arizona will be in the 2024-25 season Battle 4 Atlantis which features a gauntlet of teams with Indiana, Louisville, Creighton, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Davison and to put the cherry on top of the ice cream, it will also have Gonzaga.

If the reports are true and Arizona plays Gonzaga, it will be the first time since Lloyd became the Wildcats head coach that the two teams have played each other.


Here's Ari Koslow's article on the report:

https://arizona.rivals.com/news/ari...d-to-be-part-of-battle-4-atlantis-next-season

Hi everyone, below is my article on Montana Lemonious-Craig's progression since transferring to the UA in May:

Hey guys, since training camp has ended and Arizona has started to prep for NAU, I wanted to release my depth chart prediction for the season. However, this time I'm breaking it down into an offensive chart and a defensive chart. I think it will make it flow a little better than last season.

So, today I'm releasing my offensive depth chart below:



Please comment with any questions and changes you would make to the chart.

Hey guys, scrimmage two has ended marking the official end of open training camp. I wanted to jump in and share some takes before getting started on stories.


Quick takes:


Dylan Wyatt - I'm 100% confident in saying that Dylan Wyatt will be the second starting cornerback this season along side Ephesians Prysock. Wyatt has been a staple on the starting defense over the last week and a half and has looked amazing. Johnny Nansen was singing his praises during interviews today.

Jayden de Laura - Saturday wasn't a great day for Jayden de Laura. There were a handful of under thrown balls and some led to picks. De Laura has some great moments, but overall he struggled against the secondary.

Tyler Loop - Overall, kicker Tyler Loop has had a good camp. However, he went 0-for-2 from kicks 45-plus yards. The kicks had the distance, but were both wide right.


We'll have much more here shortly.

Hey guys, I wanted to jump in here and share that Jason Harris is no longer on Arizona's roster. However, Harris will be on scholarship this semester and graduates in the fall. I'm working on getting more details but Arizona has yet to respond to my inquiries.

Hey everyone, with Arizona football's season only 11 days away, I evaluated the Wildcats' offense after training camp and what UA fans should expect from each positional group. Below are my main takeaways from camp:

-Jayden de Laura is more comfortable within the Wildcats' offense in year two, operating player-run-practices
-Jonah Coleman shined in training camp, poised to take a leap in year two with added size
-Keyan Burnett proved his worth with his blocking and catching ability, should expect important snaps this season behind McLachlan
-Freshman Raymond Pulido has looked the part of a premiere guard and has potential to push the Wildcats further with his size and athleticism

Let me know if you have any questions!

​