Even though Arizona is off the field and hardwood for the spring it remains a busy time as the teams put the finishing touches on the next rosters and prepare for the upcoming seasons. On the football side that means spring ball and for hoops that means plenty of recruiting and letting the roster get settled. It is the start to what could be another busy week when all is said and done. To make sure you are in the loop here is this week’s GOAZCATS.com War Room.
Football
Arizona wrapped up spring ball on Friday as Practice No. 15 came to a close. The Wildcats ended things on a good note with an extended scrimmaging period and some good work. It will now set the team up for some extended lifting this spring since it has ended early and that means more time to improve strength while the staff works on recruiting and building up the roster.
* Now that spring is over it is time to take a look at the position groups and where things stand going into the rest of the offseason. The Wildcats only let the media watch one and a half practices throughout the spring so there was not as much to see from our standpoint but we have gathered thoughts throughout the spring from those on the field after practice along with speaking with others who were able to see things over the course of the 15 practices and have come up a good idea of what we weren’t able to see during the spring.
- Quarterbacks: Arizona’s quarterback unit had its good times and its bad times that is for sure. The result was that overall the group made some progress, but with Rich Rodriguez in charge he is always going to want more. As a unit this group with three scholarship signal callers is arguably the best UA has had under Rodriguez, and the staff knows that so there is a new standard they want the entire group to reach. Because of that there was some tough love this spring and the staff is hopeful that translates to an increased level of play once the fall rolls around. Anu Solomon is still Arizona’s starting quarterback and that will not change heading into the summer, but there is some real competition now. Brandon Dawkins - although he had his subpar days - has made some real progress with extra reps and he will give Solomon a real run for his money once the fall rolls around. Khalil Tate has special talent, but the staff is going to take its time with him to make sure he understands all the concepts before really rolling him out there.
Most productive spring: Brandon Dawkins Player to keep an eye on: Khalil Tate
- Running backs: Arizona likes what it has at the running back position right now, but Rodriguez and the staff would like to find four or five to be ready to go for the season. There are certainly some options on the roster already and more will be coming this summer. Orlando Bradford earned plenty of first-team reps throughout the spring and he has made some real progress going into the rest of the offseason. Although there is no depth chart yet it would be safe to say that Bradford and Nick Wilson will be Arizona’s one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Wilson had another injury-plagued season but he was healthier this spring and was able to get some good work in. Branden Leon made some good strides as well and has set himself up well to be in the rotation once the season arrives. JJ Taylor will be important as well, but for now the Wildcats have a strong looking group with the running back unit.
Most productive spring: Orlando Bradford Player to keep an eye on: Branden Leon
- Receivers/tight ends: Arizona is going to need some big production out of its running backs because the receiver group will be relying a lot on some players who have not been in the position they will be in come the start of the season. The pieces are starting to come together - and there is some talent with that group - however, there is not a ton of experience with the unit either. Trey Griffey will be the big outside threat and he had a productive spring, and players in the slot like Samajie Grant and Nate Phillips will bring the most experience. Still, the other outside receiver spot is up for grabs and the rest of the rotation doesn’t quite have the experience just yet. Shun Brown had some nice moments during the open portions of practices and he will have an increased role this season as well in the slot. Then there is Cam Denson. There was some rust at the start of the spring, but he found his rhythm and barring something changing he will be in the rotation and should make a push for a starting spot by the time fall camp rolls around.
With the tight end unit not much has changed from last season. Trevor Wood was plenty limited this spring so he wasn’t able to show how much he can do at this point coming off last season and his shoulder injury that kept him out. Josh Kern still leads the way for the group with Matt Morin behind him. Jamie Nunley shows some promise, but he will have some time to develop before he is needed.
Most productive spring: Nate Phillips Player to keep an eye on: Tony Ellison
- Offensive line: Arizona’s offensive line had to deal with some injuries this spring and that meant the group that was out on the field for Friday’s practice is going to look different than what it will by the time the season rolls around. Freddie Tagaloa was out for the entire spring and Gerhard de Beer - who was penciled in as a starter - had to miss time as well toward the end of spring. That meant a chance for some of the younger players to get some run and extra reps, but things are far from settled. One of the most interesting positions will be left guard. At this point - when healthy - the feeling is that spot would belong to Tagaloa, but Christian Boettcher was the guy all spring long and he has made some nice strides.
Now if he sticks through the summer and especially in fall camp will be the question but for now he has set himself up well going into the rest of the offseason. Zach Hemmila still has his hold on the starting center spot, but that too is a position that will not be completely settled until the season is ready to begin. Jacob Alsadek is still going to be the anchor of the offensive line at his right guard spot and he put together another strong spring for UA.
Most productive spring: Jacob Alsadek Player to keep an eye on: Christian Boettcher
- Defensive line: Now moving onto the defense we’ll start up front where things will definitely look a lot different by the time the summer and fall camp rolls around. It was really back to basics for the defensive line under new coach Vince Amey. There was plenty of teaching and Arizona is switching some things up under the new staff. Time will tell how much that will improve things, but it might get worse before it has a chance to get better as the adjustments continue. There are certainly some pieces that will make an impact and Sani Fuimaono was really the best-looking player of the group when the media was allowed to watch. Still, Arizona was without Luca Bruno for the entire spring and others were injured throughout the last month as well. Plus there is more help coming this summer as well. Fuimaono, Parker Zellers, Calvin Allen and Justin Belknap were those getting plenty of reps. Marcus Griffin will need to have a big summer to continue his upward climb but it was a good spring for him to get his mindset right heading into the rest of the offseason. It is going to continue to be a process for him as things move forward.
Most productive spring: Sani Fuimaono Player to keep an eye on: Justin Belknap
- Linebackers: The thing that was different about Arizona this time around was that there were some bodies at linebacker this spring. The first unit was strong with Cody Ippolito - looking healthy from his knee injury last season - Paul Magloire and DeAndre’ Miller. That unit has a chance to really do some things especially with the versatility of Magloire and Miller. Arizona will be getting some help once fall rolls around with Jake Matthews coming back from his injury and the group took a step in the right direction. Carrington Vaughn continues to be the name you hear quite a bit and he looked the part during the open portions of practice. The redshirt freshman from Pittsburgh had a strong spring and set himself up to be in the rotation with some continued progress. Even though it is still early Kahi Neves has shown some flashes as a rush guy at linebacker this spring and getting some more time under his belt will certainly put him in good position to contribute right away.
Jamardre Cobb took some good steps forward this spring as he transitions back to defense and being more of a full time middle linebacker. If he can get things on the right track again he could be a factor as well.
Most productive spring: DeAndre’ Miller, Paul Magloire Player to keep an eye on: Carrington Vaughn
Football
Arizona wrapped up spring ball on Friday as Practice No. 15 came to a close. The Wildcats ended things on a good note with an extended scrimmaging period and some good work. It will now set the team up for some extended lifting this spring since it has ended early and that means more time to improve strength while the staff works on recruiting and building up the roster.
* Now that spring is over it is time to take a look at the position groups and where things stand going into the rest of the offseason. The Wildcats only let the media watch one and a half practices throughout the spring so there was not as much to see from our standpoint but we have gathered thoughts throughout the spring from those on the field after practice along with speaking with others who were able to see things over the course of the 15 practices and have come up a good idea of what we weren’t able to see during the spring.
- Quarterbacks: Arizona’s quarterback unit had its good times and its bad times that is for sure. The result was that overall the group made some progress, but with Rich Rodriguez in charge he is always going to want more. As a unit this group with three scholarship signal callers is arguably the best UA has had under Rodriguez, and the staff knows that so there is a new standard they want the entire group to reach. Because of that there was some tough love this spring and the staff is hopeful that translates to an increased level of play once the fall rolls around. Anu Solomon is still Arizona’s starting quarterback and that will not change heading into the summer, but there is some real competition now. Brandon Dawkins - although he had his subpar days - has made some real progress with extra reps and he will give Solomon a real run for his money once the fall rolls around. Khalil Tate has special talent, but the staff is going to take its time with him to make sure he understands all the concepts before really rolling him out there.
Most productive spring: Brandon Dawkins Player to keep an eye on: Khalil Tate
- Running backs: Arizona likes what it has at the running back position right now, but Rodriguez and the staff would like to find four or five to be ready to go for the season. There are certainly some options on the roster already and more will be coming this summer. Orlando Bradford earned plenty of first-team reps throughout the spring and he has made some real progress going into the rest of the offseason. Although there is no depth chart yet it would be safe to say that Bradford and Nick Wilson will be Arizona’s one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Wilson had another injury-plagued season but he was healthier this spring and was able to get some good work in. Branden Leon made some good strides as well and has set himself up well to be in the rotation once the season arrives. JJ Taylor will be important as well, but for now the Wildcats have a strong looking group with the running back unit.
Most productive spring: Orlando Bradford Player to keep an eye on: Branden Leon
- Receivers/tight ends: Arizona is going to need some big production out of its running backs because the receiver group will be relying a lot on some players who have not been in the position they will be in come the start of the season. The pieces are starting to come together - and there is some talent with that group - however, there is not a ton of experience with the unit either. Trey Griffey will be the big outside threat and he had a productive spring, and players in the slot like Samajie Grant and Nate Phillips will bring the most experience. Still, the other outside receiver spot is up for grabs and the rest of the rotation doesn’t quite have the experience just yet. Shun Brown had some nice moments during the open portions of practices and he will have an increased role this season as well in the slot. Then there is Cam Denson. There was some rust at the start of the spring, but he found his rhythm and barring something changing he will be in the rotation and should make a push for a starting spot by the time fall camp rolls around.
With the tight end unit not much has changed from last season. Trevor Wood was plenty limited this spring so he wasn’t able to show how much he can do at this point coming off last season and his shoulder injury that kept him out. Josh Kern still leads the way for the group with Matt Morin behind him. Jamie Nunley shows some promise, but he will have some time to develop before he is needed.
Most productive spring: Nate Phillips Player to keep an eye on: Tony Ellison
- Offensive line: Arizona’s offensive line had to deal with some injuries this spring and that meant the group that was out on the field for Friday’s practice is going to look different than what it will by the time the season rolls around. Freddie Tagaloa was out for the entire spring and Gerhard de Beer - who was penciled in as a starter - had to miss time as well toward the end of spring. That meant a chance for some of the younger players to get some run and extra reps, but things are far from settled. One of the most interesting positions will be left guard. At this point - when healthy - the feeling is that spot would belong to Tagaloa, but Christian Boettcher was the guy all spring long and he has made some nice strides.
Now if he sticks through the summer and especially in fall camp will be the question but for now he has set himself up well going into the rest of the offseason. Zach Hemmila still has his hold on the starting center spot, but that too is a position that will not be completely settled until the season is ready to begin. Jacob Alsadek is still going to be the anchor of the offensive line at his right guard spot and he put together another strong spring for UA.
Most productive spring: Jacob Alsadek Player to keep an eye on: Christian Boettcher
- Defensive line: Now moving onto the defense we’ll start up front where things will definitely look a lot different by the time the summer and fall camp rolls around. It was really back to basics for the defensive line under new coach Vince Amey. There was plenty of teaching and Arizona is switching some things up under the new staff. Time will tell how much that will improve things, but it might get worse before it has a chance to get better as the adjustments continue. There are certainly some pieces that will make an impact and Sani Fuimaono was really the best-looking player of the group when the media was allowed to watch. Still, Arizona was without Luca Bruno for the entire spring and others were injured throughout the last month as well. Plus there is more help coming this summer as well. Fuimaono, Parker Zellers, Calvin Allen and Justin Belknap were those getting plenty of reps. Marcus Griffin will need to have a big summer to continue his upward climb but it was a good spring for him to get his mindset right heading into the rest of the offseason. It is going to continue to be a process for him as things move forward.
Most productive spring: Sani Fuimaono Player to keep an eye on: Justin Belknap
- Linebackers: The thing that was different about Arizona this time around was that there were some bodies at linebacker this spring. The first unit was strong with Cody Ippolito - looking healthy from his knee injury last season - Paul Magloire and DeAndre’ Miller. That unit has a chance to really do some things especially with the versatility of Magloire and Miller. Arizona will be getting some help once fall rolls around with Jake Matthews coming back from his injury and the group took a step in the right direction. Carrington Vaughn continues to be the name you hear quite a bit and he looked the part during the open portions of practice. The redshirt freshman from Pittsburgh had a strong spring and set himself up to be in the rotation with some continued progress. Even though it is still early Kahi Neves has shown some flashes as a rush guy at linebacker this spring and getting some more time under his belt will certainly put him in good position to contribute right away.
Jamardre Cobb took some good steps forward this spring as he transitions back to defense and being more of a full time middle linebacker. If he can get things on the right track again he could be a factor as well.
Most productive spring: DeAndre’ Miller, Paul Magloire Player to keep an eye on: Carrington Vaughn
