Now that Arizona is moving into the thick of training camp I'm going try a different format for recapping each practice. I'm still going to do a bigger notebook at the end of each week, but to recap each practice I think the plan moving forward will be to use this format to keep things interesting. I'll be making three observations, analyzing two notable comments and making one prediction based on what I see each day. Here is the first of the Arizona Training Camp 3-2-1 recaps.
3 observations
3 observations
• Freshmen to watch
Based on what has said by the staff so far the expectation should be that not many freshmen will get an opportunity to have a big role this season. There are certainly some exceptions, such as Stevie Rocker Jr. who Jedd Fisch said Sunday is part of the group of three top backs, but for the most part young players are going to be used sparingly this season. Most are not likely to see the field at all while they get used to the college game and learn the ins and outs of the offensive and defensive systems. That doesn't mean to expect a season without contributions from freshmen, however. There are a few players who have started to make some noise in camp who could end up getting a shot this year. Receiver Dorian Singer put together another solid practice Sunday night and at this point he figures to be part of the rotation at receiver. There are going to be a lot of options at the receiver spots, but he has been among the most consistent pass catchers through the first three practices. A couple. new names that emerged Sunday night are linebacker Jackson Bailey and defensive tackle Evan Branch-Haynes. Kyon Barrs remains out up front giving Branch-Haynes his opportunity to get some work in with the first unit at times Sunday. Bailey is someone Anthony Pandy recently said has stood out this summer, and the Texas native was able to get some work in at the Sam position Sunday night with Kenny Hebert not participating in practice. Bailey has great size and he has some versatility to his game that makes him a nice fit at that position. Based on things looked Sunday night those are three names to watch as possible contributors this season.
• Options at receiver
Arizona's receiver group is not going to blow anyone away on the national scene. There isn't an all-conference player among the group. There isn't a clear NFL-caliber player lining up for UA right now. Still, there are a lot of options and a lot of potential production throughout unit. If there was an award for it Kevin Cummings might earn the award for having his entire group in a better spot now than at the start of spring ball. It feels like that unit more than any other, top to bottom, has made the most improvement since a few months ago. And that's without Jamarye Joiner who continues to work his way back from offseason surgery. Not everything has been clean, but the number of options Cummings will have to put on the field his year is certainly growing. Stanley Berryhill III , Tayvian Cunningham, Jalen Johnson and Boobie Curry have all put together strong individual days over the first three practices. It was Johnson's turn to shine Sunday night after he struggled Saturday. He made some of the most impressive grabs of the practice including a very nice touchdown catch. Even dropping down to the next level of players Thomas Reid III has also looked like an improved pass catcher this spring. Brian Casteel has had some ups and downs, but he still is a proven weapon for the offense as well. Once Joiner is able to return the Wildcats will have a host of options to utilize in the new offense. Sunday the staff spent quite a bit of time getting those players the ball in different types of ways.
• Offensive line feels like it is making progress
Arizona is going with shoulder pads again Monday night before moving into full pads later this week when practice reconvenes on Wednesday. Once that happens it will truly become clear how much the offensive line has improved. Sunday night the team was still somewhat limited in terms of contact, but right now it feels like the offensive line is making progress. It still needs some more players to begin separating themselves behind the starting unit. Right now Brennan Carroll has about 8-9 guys he could play based on what I have seen so far, but it is not exactly a solid group behind the top six. The top of the rotation has been more solid so far, however. There have been fewer breakdowns than in the spring and definitely fewer breakdowns than last season. The defensive line was creating chaos in the backfield at times during the spring, and that has happened less frequently through the first three days of training camp. The running backs have had a lot of room to run as well, which is a good sign of things to come since the Wildcats will have to lean on that group a bunch this season.
2 comments• Quarterback separation is not happening
It's the position group that is going to get the most attention early this season. Arizona still doesn't have a quarterback, and it feels even further away from deciding on one than it did just a couple days ago. There is certainly progress being made, but as Fisch hinted at Sunday night the plan for narrowing down the options could end up being delayed because of how slow the group has been to create separation. As someone who has watched every minute of all three practices I can tell you there is no clear option right now. Each player has had strong moments, but there have also been plenty of mistakes by each one of them as well. The group definitely looks more confident as a whole, but so far they each have produced at relatively the same level. That's not a good spot to be in. Fisch said he isn't opposed to the idea of playing two quarterbacks, but it likely will not come down to that. Soon someone has to begin taking charge and that is what Fisch and the staff are going to be looking for in the coming days. The hope was to have some separation by the middle of this week, but right now that does not seem likely. I could sense a bit of frustration from Fisch about the competition that goes beyond him simply being harder on that position group than the others. He has not exactly been overjoyed with the production there, so it will be important to monitor the group in the next couple practices. Will Plummer had provided the biggest spark ahead of Sunday's practice but he was a bit quiet on Day 3. He threw another interception with safety Gunner Maldonado picking him off in a red zone drill, and he just wasn't making as many impressive plays Sunday night as he had earlier in camp. Gunner Cruz probably had the best day of the group while Jordan McCloud did some nice things and seems to have a better comfort level now than he did last week. When Cruz has been decisive he has been sharp, but when he holds the ball a little too long that is when things begin to break down. If he can clean that up he will have arguably the best shot at winning the job. It's not fair that McCloud missed time in the spring, but the reality is Arizona needs someone to be ready by Sept. 4. He does seem behind a bit, but Sunday brought a step in the right direction. He's going to have to hit a different gear in the next few days to truly begin making a run at the job though.
• Arizona knows its top three backs already
Running back has been and remains Arizona's deepest position. Every one of its scholarship players could be effective if put on the field. The challenge will be figuring out how to get them all involved. Based on what Fisch said Sunday night the top group has started to establish itself. Michael Wiley, Drake Anderson and Stevie Rocker form the "three-horse race" at the top of the rotation. Each one of those players should get ample opportunities to see the field. Wiley continues to run with the first group while Rocker and Anderson are splitting time with the second unit entering the new week. Anderson put together some strong plays during the team portion of practice with nifty moves to get in the open field. All three players give Scottie Graham and the staff a change of pace. Rocker is the taller back who can run between the tackles while Wiley has a lot of power. Anderson is the shifty back who can catch passes and make plays in the open field. If there's one spot where Fisch doesn't have to worry it is at the running back spot. The challenge will be keeping everyone happy, but Graham said Sunday that the culture the staff has created should help avoid any lack of playing time issues since the players are all pulling for one another.
