Arizona was back at it Friday night for its third practice of the fall, but things were delayed by about an hour because of lightning in the area. That pushed everything back, but the Wildcats still had themselves a good practice. It was the first day in pads for the Wildcats, but there was still not a ton of hitting going on.
It was the third straight practice that Rich Rodriguez liked and he said afterward Saturday's practice will likely be shorter as a result of the team doing so well through the first three days. The UA head coach continues to be pleased with how things are going this fall.
* Arizona is now starting to get hit by the injury bug a little bit, but so far it is nothing too major. Carter Wood did not participate in practice Friday night and that meant others had an opportunity to work with the first unit at center. In addition to that Trey Griffey remained limited, but he was running with the first unit in the open portion of practice.
Tyrell Johnson has a leg injury that kept him out of action Friday night, while Rodriguez said Jarvis McCall is injured again keeping him out of action Friday night. He doesn't expect any of the injuries to last very long he said.
Position breakdowns
Quarterbacks: Arizona's quarterbacks continued to perform well during the open portion of practice and the group did a good job of handling the rotation of centers thrown at it yesterday. Brandon Dawkins had a couple issues handling some snaps, but overall the group looked pretty good. Anu Solomon continues to be sharp with his throws and with the continued progress from the receivers he has continued his progression through three days of fall camp.
Running backs: The top two are going to stay the same, so it is that battle behind co-starters Nick Wilson and Jared Baker that is getting the attention right now. As I have said before, Arizona would like to have the benefit of redshirting a guy like Orlando Bradford if it absolutely doesn't need him and as of this point things could be headed that way. While he looks ready physically, you can see that he is still trying to pick things up from the mental side right now.
Friday it was Zach Green who had the most opportunities with the second unit and he looks better than any other time at Arizona. He's much more of a confident runner right now and his frame is at a good spot right now to handle some of the work load. Jonathan Haden has not had as many touches, but he is right there too.
Receivers/tight ends: It was continued work as usual for the first two groups Friday night. There are a couple of injuries to a couple of the faces you would normally see with those units, but that means the tight ends were able to get some more work in Friday night. Shun Brown continues to be impressive with that second unit. He has a look about him and a focus that you just don't see too much out of younger players. From what I've watched he really hasn't messed up any routes or done anything he wasn't supposed and that is big for a guy trying to get on the field. If this staff can trust you then you have a great shot.
I paid closer attention to newcomer Cedric Peterson on Friday night and I like his size and what he'll bring to the table on the outside. He's still working with the freshman group, so his time is likely not this season but as more opportunities arise in the coming years he is one to keep an eye on.
Offensive line: It was a chance to see some other players work with that first unit Friday night with Wood out. The last time Cayman Bundage got an extended look at center the snaps were not good, but he has cleaned that up quite a bit and now he could be an option there for the Wildcats. Solomon said he thought Bundage did a good job of getting him the ball and he looked good in that spot. That moved Zach Hemmila to the guard spot left by Bundage and that gave UA a different look. Hemmila is versatile enough to make that move, so that is something to watch as a possible line up as well.
Arizona rotated a number of players in at center with the first two groups during the open period. Levi Walton got some work in as did David Catalano and even Nathan Eldridge was able to get some more work in at that center spot.
Defensive line: That top group of six guys continues to separate itself as the unit that will get the most playing time this year. There is a lot of veteran players in that group and coming out of spring that group has continued taking strides. I've continued to be impressed with the progress Luca Bruno has made and he looks to have all but cemented his spot as a starter. At this stage it will be interesting who else can work themselves into that top group that features Bruno, Parker Zellers, Reggie Gilbert, Jeff Worthy, Sani Fuimaono and Anthony Fotu.
Linebackers: For Jeff Casteel knowing the scheme in and out is a priority and that's why when you watch his group during fall camp in the individual portion there is a lot of teaching going on. Friday night brought a little more action during the open portion of campus and there has been some progress with that group. Rodriguez said there is probably more depth there than he originally thought because some guys have made strides up to this point.
One freshman I kept an eye on is Kendal Franklin. I like his size and as he continues to acclimate himself to things he will be a nice piece for Arizona to have over his career. He has some nice burst to his game and his speed is where it needs to be to make an impact for the Wildcats when his time comes.
Safeties: The safety unit is another one that is certainly getting solidified as well. Will Parks, Jamar Allah and Tellas Jones continue to work as that starting unit and Rodriguez mentioned how much he likes the progress Jones has made up this point. Rodriguez likes the experience that group has and then even behind that unit there are some nice pieces as well. Paul Magloire continues to be impressive in this camp and he is going to find a way to get on the field this year.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles has continued to be a staple as the second unit free safety and that length he possesses is really a difference maker right now. It gives Arizona a little different look with him on the back end and he looks to be sticking in that spot with the second unit.
Cornerbacks: It continues to be the same story with the cornerback group through three days of camp. At this point if Jarvis McCall is healthy he is going to play and probably a lot. Rodriguez likes what he brings to the table and even though he has run into some injury issues the Wildcats like his size at corner. Cam Denson continues to have a very good camp and he really looks like Arizona's best option at corner right now. DaVonte' Neal will be Arizona's first option with the second unit and Devin Holiday has put together a good few days as well.
Getting some work in during the spring was big for Jace Whittaker and I really like his skill set. This year is likely not going to be his year to see too much action, but long term he has some real potential.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Anu Solomon; Jerrard Randall
RB: Nick Wilson or Jared Baker; Zach Green
WR: Cayleb Jones; Abraham Mendivil
WR: David Richards or Trey Griffey; Tony Ellison
Slot: Nate Phillips; Shun Brown
Slot: Samajie Grant; Tyrell Johnson
TE: Josh Kern, Trevor Wood
OT: Freddie Tagaloa, Layth Friekh
OG: Cayman Bundage or Zach Hemmila; Levi Walton or David Catalano
C: Carter Wood or Cayman Bundage; Zach Hemmila or David Catalano
OG: Jacob Alsadek; Kaige Lawrence
OT: Lene Maiava; TD Gross
Defense
DT: Luca Bruno; Jeff Worthy
NT: Parker Zellers; Sani Fuimaono
DE: Reggie Gilbert; Anthony Fotu
LB: Derrick Turituri; Cody Ippolito
LB: Scooby Wright; Haden Gregory
LB: Jake Matthews; DeAndre' Miller
Spur: Will Parks; Anthony Lopez
Bandit: Tellas Jones; Paul Magloire
FS: Jamar Allah; Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
CB: Cam Denson; Devin Holiday
CB: Jarvis McCall; DaVonte' Neal
It was the third straight practice that Rich Rodriguez liked and he said afterward Saturday's practice will likely be shorter as a result of the team doing so well through the first three days. The UA head coach continues to be pleased with how things are going this fall.
* Arizona is now starting to get hit by the injury bug a little bit, but so far it is nothing too major. Carter Wood did not participate in practice Friday night and that meant others had an opportunity to work with the first unit at center. In addition to that Trey Griffey remained limited, but he was running with the first unit in the open portion of practice.
Tyrell Johnson has a leg injury that kept him out of action Friday night, while Rodriguez said Jarvis McCall is injured again keeping him out of action Friday night. He doesn't expect any of the injuries to last very long he said.
Position breakdowns
Quarterbacks: Arizona's quarterbacks continued to perform well during the open portion of practice and the group did a good job of handling the rotation of centers thrown at it yesterday. Brandon Dawkins had a couple issues handling some snaps, but overall the group looked pretty good. Anu Solomon continues to be sharp with his throws and with the continued progress from the receivers he has continued his progression through three days of fall camp.
Running backs: The top two are going to stay the same, so it is that battle behind co-starters Nick Wilson and Jared Baker that is getting the attention right now. As I have said before, Arizona would like to have the benefit of redshirting a guy like Orlando Bradford if it absolutely doesn't need him and as of this point things could be headed that way. While he looks ready physically, you can see that he is still trying to pick things up from the mental side right now.
Friday it was Zach Green who had the most opportunities with the second unit and he looks better than any other time at Arizona. He's much more of a confident runner right now and his frame is at a good spot right now to handle some of the work load. Jonathan Haden has not had as many touches, but he is right there too.
Receivers/tight ends: It was continued work as usual for the first two groups Friday night. There are a couple of injuries to a couple of the faces you would normally see with those units, but that means the tight ends were able to get some more work in Friday night. Shun Brown continues to be impressive with that second unit. He has a look about him and a focus that you just don't see too much out of younger players. From what I've watched he really hasn't messed up any routes or done anything he wasn't supposed and that is big for a guy trying to get on the field. If this staff can trust you then you have a great shot.
I paid closer attention to newcomer Cedric Peterson on Friday night and I like his size and what he'll bring to the table on the outside. He's still working with the freshman group, so his time is likely not this season but as more opportunities arise in the coming years he is one to keep an eye on.
Offensive line: It was a chance to see some other players work with that first unit Friday night with Wood out. The last time Cayman Bundage got an extended look at center the snaps were not good, but he has cleaned that up quite a bit and now he could be an option there for the Wildcats. Solomon said he thought Bundage did a good job of getting him the ball and he looked good in that spot. That moved Zach Hemmila to the guard spot left by Bundage and that gave UA a different look. Hemmila is versatile enough to make that move, so that is something to watch as a possible line up as well.
Arizona rotated a number of players in at center with the first two groups during the open period. Levi Walton got some work in as did David Catalano and even Nathan Eldridge was able to get some more work in at that center spot.
Defensive line: That top group of six guys continues to separate itself as the unit that will get the most playing time this year. There is a lot of veteran players in that group and coming out of spring that group has continued taking strides. I've continued to be impressed with the progress Luca Bruno has made and he looks to have all but cemented his spot as a starter. At this stage it will be interesting who else can work themselves into that top group that features Bruno, Parker Zellers, Reggie Gilbert, Jeff Worthy, Sani Fuimaono and Anthony Fotu.
Linebackers: For Jeff Casteel knowing the scheme in and out is a priority and that's why when you watch his group during fall camp in the individual portion there is a lot of teaching going on. Friday night brought a little more action during the open portion of campus and there has been some progress with that group. Rodriguez said there is probably more depth there than he originally thought because some guys have made strides up to this point.
One freshman I kept an eye on is Kendal Franklin. I like his size and as he continues to acclimate himself to things he will be a nice piece for Arizona to have over his career. He has some nice burst to his game and his speed is where it needs to be to make an impact for the Wildcats when his time comes.
Safeties: The safety unit is another one that is certainly getting solidified as well. Will Parks, Jamar Allah and Tellas Jones continue to work as that starting unit and Rodriguez mentioned how much he likes the progress Jones has made up this point. Rodriguez likes the experience that group has and then even behind that unit there are some nice pieces as well. Paul Magloire continues to be impressive in this camp and he is going to find a way to get on the field this year.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles has continued to be a staple as the second unit free safety and that length he possesses is really a difference maker right now. It gives Arizona a little different look with him on the back end and he looks to be sticking in that spot with the second unit.
Cornerbacks: It continues to be the same story with the cornerback group through three days of camp. At this point if Jarvis McCall is healthy he is going to play and probably a lot. Rodriguez likes what he brings to the table and even though he has run into some injury issues the Wildcats like his size at corner. Cam Denson continues to have a very good camp and he really looks like Arizona's best option at corner right now. DaVonte' Neal will be Arizona's first option with the second unit and Devin Holiday has put together a good few days as well.
Getting some work in during the spring was big for Jace Whittaker and I really like his skill set. This year is likely not going to be his year to see too much action, but long term he has some real potential.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Anu Solomon; Jerrard Randall
RB: Nick Wilson or Jared Baker; Zach Green
WR: Cayleb Jones; Abraham Mendivil
WR: David Richards or Trey Griffey; Tony Ellison
Slot: Nate Phillips; Shun Brown
Slot: Samajie Grant; Tyrell Johnson
TE: Josh Kern, Trevor Wood
OT: Freddie Tagaloa, Layth Friekh
OG: Cayman Bundage or Zach Hemmila; Levi Walton or David Catalano
C: Carter Wood or Cayman Bundage; Zach Hemmila or David Catalano
OG: Jacob Alsadek; Kaige Lawrence
OT: Lene Maiava; TD Gross
Defense
DT: Luca Bruno; Jeff Worthy
NT: Parker Zellers; Sani Fuimaono
DE: Reggie Gilbert; Anthony Fotu
LB: Derrick Turituri; Cody Ippolito
LB: Scooby Wright; Haden Gregory
LB: Jake Matthews; DeAndre' Miller
Spur: Will Parks; Anthony Lopez
Bandit: Tellas Jones; Paul Magloire
FS: Jamar Allah; Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
CB: Cam Denson; Devin Holiday
CB: Jarvis McCall; DaVonte' Neal
