After a string of busy weeks this week will be a light one as Arizona’s spring practice will be on hold and Arizona’s basketball squad will get some extra rest with just one game. Still, recruiting never stops and there is always plenty to discuss on that side of things. So let’s get right into this week’s War Room.
Football
Arizona is through the first two days of spring practice and it will have the week off before reconvening on Saturday for its third practice. The break was planned and it will give the team some time to recover before going full pads. By all accounts the changes have been good ones for the team so far and the defensive players are taking to the new staff and scheme like Rich Rodriguez would have hoped.
* Now that Arizona is through two practices and one of which was half open for the media here is the first breakdown of the spring by position group to give you an idea of who has started off the spring well. Because Arizona is mixing and matching with its position groups we will not provide a depth chart just yet, but we will give you an idea of who is looking at a starting spot at this point in spring.
Quarterbacks: On the first day of practice Anu Solomon was clearly the most complete quarterback Arizona had on its roster. He made some solid throws - especially down the field - that he has not always had at times and it is hard to remember a time he looked more comfortable at the position. Obviously things will ramp up when the pads go on, but he certainly looked like his old self for the hour we were able to see him Friday. Brandon Dawkins also looked comfortable, but there were still some errant passes during the drills. The redshirt sophomore said he liked being able to get the game experience at ASU last season and that is one thing he has always mentioned is a bigger benefit to him than practice time.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out, but maybe the biggest piece of the puzzle who could give Solomon a run for his money this season is Khalil Tate. There was no pressure in his face and he wasn’t asked to move out of the pocket during the open portion of practice, but it is hard to remember a freshman who looked as comfortable as Tate did in his first practice. UA is going to continue working with him on his accuracy, but he has a lot of the tools to be successful right away if the ‘Cats choose to do so. There are still some technique things that have to be corrected but the arm strength is there and he continues to make progress as a passer.
Running backs: Arizona had the benefit of having Nick Wilson out on the field as a full participant in the first practice and he looked much more like his old self. We will see how things change once the pads go on and how limited he will be, but he was moving well and was at least able to be on the field going through drills. Orlando Bradford certainly seems poised to be a solid No. 2 back, but it would not be surprising to see him get a share of the top spot and those carries by the start of the season. The staff pumped the brakes on him last season just a bit, but he is ready to be let go this year and he has all the tools to be effective. It is all about health for Arizona’s running backs and that is one reason UA likes to have a few ready to go for the year. Bradford looked ready to go Friday and he will be a factor this season as potentially a 1a-type option for the ‘Cats.
In addition to those two at the top Arizona has worked other players in the group as well. Right now there is still a lot that could change once JJ Taylor arrives this summer, but for now it is Branden Leon who was working as the third back with Zach Green getting some work in as well. Rodriguez likes what Leon brings to the table so it will be interesting to see how his time in the program will help him once Taylor arrives and if he can stay in what should be a three-man rotation once the year starts.
Tyrell Johnson didn’t practice Friday because of an illness, but he is expected to work more with the running backs this spring and fall to be a bigger factor in that area. So he is another one who factors into the equation as well.
Receivers/tight ends: Arizona’s receiver group is going to be interesting. It is in desperate need of some more size and that will be coming with Shawn Poindexter this summer, but in the meantime the staff is trying some different things out. It certainly has the feel of a race for the top group - especially outside - that will not be settled until the fall. Trey Griffey looked great and was easily the standout of the open periods on the first day. There is a smoothness and feel with Griffey that some of the other younger players just don’t quite have yet. The senior is going to be the No. 1 option and that is clear.
Opposite Griffey the ‘Cats have some options and Tony Ellison had a particularly good day during the open portion Friday. His speed is noticeable and he is hands have really become a good asset to him from the looks of it. The time could really be right now for Ellison to make his mark, so he will be one to keep an eye on. Another one to watch is Cam Denson who looked decent in his first practice at receiver. There were some drops as he gets used to catching balls again, but once he has the ball in his hands he is something special.
UA is using him on the outside to start and he showed some nice speed during the open portion of practice. As he gets himself acclimated to the position again he will settle in. The biggest thing with Denson is that he is back where he wants to be which could be a big thing mentally for him.
At the tight end spot things are looking the same as last season. It remains Josh Kern at the top with with Matt Morin right behind him on the tight end depth chart. The plan is to continue to try and get those guys more involved in the offense and UA likes its group there. It took a hit with Brion Anduze getting hurt on the first day, but is still a nice unit with some potential led by the two older guys. Jamie Nunley will be in a similar position that Anduze was in last season with him needing to put on some more mass to fit the position moving forward. He does have some good height and he is on the right track with his frame, but he will not to need to rush to get ready in time as UA has some nice depth already.
Trevor Wood was limited Friday after sitting out last season. The good news for UA is that he is at least participating in practice. It would not be a surprise to see him still even more limited once the pads go on, but his time will really be in the fall when he can get back into the mix.
Offensive line: Depending on how much you want to look into the groups Arizona’s offensive line “first unit” featured a number of players who started last season. Jim Michalczik likes how the group is coming together and he really likes the younger players he has on what would be the two-deep. It will be interesting to see how much some of those younger players can make an impact over the next month and really into the fall. As of now UA is rolling with Zach Hemmila at center, Jacob Alsadek at right guard, Gerhard de Beer at right tackle, Christian Boettcher at left guard and Layth Friekh at left tackle. Levi Walton (center), Cody Creason and Alex Kosinski were part of the second unit.
Even though he is working with the third unit at center Nathan Eldridge remains one to watch at the center spot. Arizona likes what he brings to the table and as he continues to progress he is one to keep an eye on as a potential contributor down the line.
The biggest difference this season is that there are two legitimate groups of contributors and that is not something Arizona has always had, and that is before Michael Eletise arrives. It is a good sign that UA has some actual depth along the offensive line and Michalczik certainly sounded relieved and excited about it last week.
Defensive line: Arizona’s defensive line is going to be pieced together until everyone can get healthy and one of those “everyones” is Luca Bruno. He injured his foot during the ASU game and he has been limited to start spring ball working on the side with the strength staff. He will factor into the equation when all is said and done, but for now UA is starting to build some decent depth with that group. If there is one unit, based on the first week, who looks like it took the offseason seriously it is the defensive line group. Getting a more youthful coach on staff in Vince Amey has really brought a different mood around the group and it looks like it will be beneficial. Sani Fuimaono was by far the best defensive lineman on the first day in the open portion. He was just on a different level than the others and he will be key to the ‘Cats this season under the new revamped defense. He is playing a little different position now and is not at nose any more, and that should allow him to be more effective. The “first” unit along the defensive line had Fuimaono, Parker Zellers and Calvin Allen. There is some length as well as some explosiveness to the group, but again there will be some shifting once Bruno is able to go again.
Football
Arizona is through the first two days of spring practice and it will have the week off before reconvening on Saturday for its third practice. The break was planned and it will give the team some time to recover before going full pads. By all accounts the changes have been good ones for the team so far and the defensive players are taking to the new staff and scheme like Rich Rodriguez would have hoped.
* Now that Arizona is through two practices and one of which was half open for the media here is the first breakdown of the spring by position group to give you an idea of who has started off the spring well. Because Arizona is mixing and matching with its position groups we will not provide a depth chart just yet, but we will give you an idea of who is looking at a starting spot at this point in spring.
Quarterbacks: On the first day of practice Anu Solomon was clearly the most complete quarterback Arizona had on its roster. He made some solid throws - especially down the field - that he has not always had at times and it is hard to remember a time he looked more comfortable at the position. Obviously things will ramp up when the pads go on, but he certainly looked like his old self for the hour we were able to see him Friday. Brandon Dawkins also looked comfortable, but there were still some errant passes during the drills. The redshirt sophomore said he liked being able to get the game experience at ASU last season and that is one thing he has always mentioned is a bigger benefit to him than practice time.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out, but maybe the biggest piece of the puzzle who could give Solomon a run for his money this season is Khalil Tate. There was no pressure in his face and he wasn’t asked to move out of the pocket during the open portion of practice, but it is hard to remember a freshman who looked as comfortable as Tate did in his first practice. UA is going to continue working with him on his accuracy, but he has a lot of the tools to be successful right away if the ‘Cats choose to do so. There are still some technique things that have to be corrected but the arm strength is there and he continues to make progress as a passer.
Running backs: Arizona had the benefit of having Nick Wilson out on the field as a full participant in the first practice and he looked much more like his old self. We will see how things change once the pads go on and how limited he will be, but he was moving well and was at least able to be on the field going through drills. Orlando Bradford certainly seems poised to be a solid No. 2 back, but it would not be surprising to see him get a share of the top spot and those carries by the start of the season. The staff pumped the brakes on him last season just a bit, but he is ready to be let go this year and he has all the tools to be effective. It is all about health for Arizona’s running backs and that is one reason UA likes to have a few ready to go for the year. Bradford looked ready to go Friday and he will be a factor this season as potentially a 1a-type option for the ‘Cats.
In addition to those two at the top Arizona has worked other players in the group as well. Right now there is still a lot that could change once JJ Taylor arrives this summer, but for now it is Branden Leon who was working as the third back with Zach Green getting some work in as well. Rodriguez likes what Leon brings to the table so it will be interesting to see how his time in the program will help him once Taylor arrives and if he can stay in what should be a three-man rotation once the year starts.
Tyrell Johnson didn’t practice Friday because of an illness, but he is expected to work more with the running backs this spring and fall to be a bigger factor in that area. So he is another one who factors into the equation as well.
Receivers/tight ends: Arizona’s receiver group is going to be interesting. It is in desperate need of some more size and that will be coming with Shawn Poindexter this summer, but in the meantime the staff is trying some different things out. It certainly has the feel of a race for the top group - especially outside - that will not be settled until the fall. Trey Griffey looked great and was easily the standout of the open periods on the first day. There is a smoothness and feel with Griffey that some of the other younger players just don’t quite have yet. The senior is going to be the No. 1 option and that is clear.
Opposite Griffey the ‘Cats have some options and Tony Ellison had a particularly good day during the open portion Friday. His speed is noticeable and he is hands have really become a good asset to him from the looks of it. The time could really be right now for Ellison to make his mark, so he will be one to keep an eye on. Another one to watch is Cam Denson who looked decent in his first practice at receiver. There were some drops as he gets used to catching balls again, but once he has the ball in his hands he is something special.
UA is using him on the outside to start and he showed some nice speed during the open portion of practice. As he gets himself acclimated to the position again he will settle in. The biggest thing with Denson is that he is back where he wants to be which could be a big thing mentally for him.
At the tight end spot things are looking the same as last season. It remains Josh Kern at the top with with Matt Morin right behind him on the tight end depth chart. The plan is to continue to try and get those guys more involved in the offense and UA likes its group there. It took a hit with Brion Anduze getting hurt on the first day, but is still a nice unit with some potential led by the two older guys. Jamie Nunley will be in a similar position that Anduze was in last season with him needing to put on some more mass to fit the position moving forward. He does have some good height and he is on the right track with his frame, but he will not to need to rush to get ready in time as UA has some nice depth already.
Trevor Wood was limited Friday after sitting out last season. The good news for UA is that he is at least participating in practice. It would not be a surprise to see him still even more limited once the pads go on, but his time will really be in the fall when he can get back into the mix.
Offensive line: Depending on how much you want to look into the groups Arizona’s offensive line “first unit” featured a number of players who started last season. Jim Michalczik likes how the group is coming together and he really likes the younger players he has on what would be the two-deep. It will be interesting to see how much some of those younger players can make an impact over the next month and really into the fall. As of now UA is rolling with Zach Hemmila at center, Jacob Alsadek at right guard, Gerhard de Beer at right tackle, Christian Boettcher at left guard and Layth Friekh at left tackle. Levi Walton (center), Cody Creason and Alex Kosinski were part of the second unit.
Even though he is working with the third unit at center Nathan Eldridge remains one to watch at the center spot. Arizona likes what he brings to the table and as he continues to progress he is one to keep an eye on as a potential contributor down the line.
The biggest difference this season is that there are two legitimate groups of contributors and that is not something Arizona has always had, and that is before Michael Eletise arrives. It is a good sign that UA has some actual depth along the offensive line and Michalczik certainly sounded relieved and excited about it last week.
Defensive line: Arizona’s defensive line is going to be pieced together until everyone can get healthy and one of those “everyones” is Luca Bruno. He injured his foot during the ASU game and he has been limited to start spring ball working on the side with the strength staff. He will factor into the equation when all is said and done, but for now UA is starting to build some decent depth with that group. If there is one unit, based on the first week, who looks like it took the offseason seriously it is the defensive line group. Getting a more youthful coach on staff in Vince Amey has really brought a different mood around the group and it looks like it will be beneficial. Sani Fuimaono was by far the best defensive lineman on the first day in the open portion. He was just on a different level than the others and he will be key to the ‘Cats this season under the new revamped defense. He is playing a little different position now and is not at nose any more, and that should allow him to be more effective. The “first” unit along the defensive line had Fuimaono, Parker Zellers and Calvin Allen. There is some length as well as some explosiveness to the group, but again there will be some shifting once Bruno is able to go again.
