Back for another recap of Arizona training camp practice. Last night was the first practice in full pads and that meant the first scrimmage of camp. The media was not permitted to watch the scrimmage portion of practice, but Kevin Sumlin did let us stay until the midway point of practice just before the start of the scrimmage which meant some live parts of practice.
Here's a rundown of what I saw Wednesday evening.
Notes and observations
* Arizona had three visitors on campus for practice Wednesday night highlighted by 2020 defensive end Regen Terry who made the trip down from Florence with his mother. In addition to Terry, there were two local prospects taking in the practice, Canyon del Oro running back Stevie Rocker Jr. and Salpointe quarterback Treyson Bourguet. It was interesting to see the staff interactions with each recruit Wednesday. I can't remember a time the coaching staff treated prospects like they did Wednesday. All three players were allowed to get on the field and watch the drills with their respective position coaches. So, Terry spent a lot of time standing right next to Iona Uiagalelei while the team went through certain drills. Rocker was right next to DeMarco Murray and Bourguet was with Noel Mazzone.
Normally, the recruit will get some attention from the staff – a handshake and a quick word – but nothing like I saw Wednesday night. It certainly felt different and I think he resonated well with the recruits from the looks of it. That type of individualized attention will help in the recruiting process in my opinion.
Terry was getting a lot of the attention since he is closer to making a decision and after practice he spent time with the entire defensive staff taking pictures and hanging out on the field and in the program's "Arizona Experience" recruiting room.
He was able to put on the team's uniform and certainly looked to be enjoying himself. It was the type of attention normally reserved for an official visit, so we'll see what it ends up doing for UA in the long run but it certainly can't hurt. It also shows how much little things can matter in recruiting.
* On the injury front Arizona is not doing too bad at the moment. There are some players who are not a full go at the moment such as freshman defensive end Kwabena Watson and defensive tackle Myles Tapusoa. However, both are doing everything except hitting when it comes to practice. They are allowed to go through drills and work through the one-one-one portion without issue. Offensive lineman Jon Jacobs remains out, however, as he was still in street clothes last night during practice. He is on the field and helping out where he can with talking to some of the younger players, but he is not participating in any part of practice.
Brian Casteel was a full go Wednesday after having to be limited Tuesday night. Meanwhile, although not injury related, linebacker Tony Fields II was not allowed to take part in the live period of practice as he still had one more day before being allowed to put the pads on since he missed the first practice of camp for a personal (family) matter and has been a day behind the rest of the team. He will be a full go Thursday night.
- Since I focused on the linebackers and running backs the last time the media was allowed to watch the one-one-one portion of practice I decided to focus on the receivers and defensive backs last night. Here's a few players I thought stood out among the group.
- Jalen Johnson: The freshman receiver has been impressive to start camp and yesterday was no exception. He made some nice plays during the one-on-one portion including a ball he had to come back for and find in the air after it was tipped. He looks the part physically already and right now he is showing that he has the skill to possibly start contributing this year.
- Boobie Curry: Ditto for Johnson's fellow freshman wideout. Curry continues to look like a veteran out there and although there are moments when he still has his mistakes he looks the part in every way and should be in play to be a starter once the season arrives. He is smooth and has only looked better than what he did in the spring, which was already impressive.
- Jamarye Joiner: I mentioned this on Twitter, but the more Joiner gets to practice at receiver the more he looks like a natural at the position. There's something to be said for pure athleticism and right now he is showing why the coaching staff had confidence he could make that move from quarterback. His route running will need to continue to improve, but his hands have been great and he simply looks the part when he's out there. He worked against Scottie Young Jr., one of UA's most experienced DBs, and he won the rep with a nice grab on a ball that was a little bit high.
- Tristan Cooper: The veteran safety gets lost a bit in the shuffle for whatever reason. He is another one of the team's most experienced defensive players, but he has never been a "star" on the team. He is important, however, and he looked good during the one-one-one portion of practice with a nice pass breakup as the highlight play. He is slotted in with the starting unit right now, so it is a good thing that he is playing well at the moment.
- Jaxen Turner: Another freshman who has been performing well in practice is the safety from California. Turner is someone already being mentioned as a likely contributor this season on special teams and he made some strong plays in coverage during the one-one-one portion of practice. He is a fearless defensive back with a bit of swagger to him and so far that is helping him make up some ground. The Arizona safety group is filled with veterans, but Turner might make it tough for the coaches to keep him off the field.
- I was also able to get a glimpse at the current first and second unit defensive groups Wednesday night as the team went through some drills before the scrimmage. Something that stood out that I think will make people happy is Mykee Irving running with the second unit on the interior of the defensive line. He looked pretty good and getting a better look at him moving around it's clear he is pretty solid shape right now as well.
Justin Belknap worked with the first group along the defensive line that also included Jalen Harris, JB Brown and Finton Connolly. Turner was working with the second unit at safety for the Wildcats.
- Freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell continues to receive praise from his teammates for his progress heading into the season. Fields spoke with the media after practice and pointed out that the Houston native has made big strides since the end of spring ball with his understanding. Right now Gunnell is looking like he will take that No. 2 spot behind Khalil Tate as the progress continues.
"He came in very mature for a young guy," Fields said of the UA quarterback. "He's learned the playbook and you don't see a lot of mental errors from him. ... You can see he's making his reads better now and he's slowing stuff down a lot more."
Videos
Photos
- Practice No. 5 photo gallery (click link)
Here's a rundown of what I saw Wednesday evening.
Notes and observations
* Arizona had three visitors on campus for practice Wednesday night highlighted by 2020 defensive end Regen Terry who made the trip down from Florence with his mother. In addition to Terry, there were two local prospects taking in the practice, Canyon del Oro running back Stevie Rocker Jr. and Salpointe quarterback Treyson Bourguet. It was interesting to see the staff interactions with each recruit Wednesday. I can't remember a time the coaching staff treated prospects like they did Wednesday. All three players were allowed to get on the field and watch the drills with their respective position coaches. So, Terry spent a lot of time standing right next to Iona Uiagalelei while the team went through certain drills. Rocker was right next to DeMarco Murray and Bourguet was with Noel Mazzone.
Normally, the recruit will get some attention from the staff – a handshake and a quick word – but nothing like I saw Wednesday night. It certainly felt different and I think he resonated well with the recruits from the looks of it. That type of individualized attention will help in the recruiting process in my opinion.
Terry was getting a lot of the attention since he is closer to making a decision and after practice he spent time with the entire defensive staff taking pictures and hanging out on the field and in the program's "Arizona Experience" recruiting room.
He was able to put on the team's uniform and certainly looked to be enjoying himself. It was the type of attention normally reserved for an official visit, so we'll see what it ends up doing for UA in the long run but it certainly can't hurt. It also shows how much little things can matter in recruiting.
* On the injury front Arizona is not doing too bad at the moment. There are some players who are not a full go at the moment such as freshman defensive end Kwabena Watson and defensive tackle Myles Tapusoa. However, both are doing everything except hitting when it comes to practice. They are allowed to go through drills and work through the one-one-one portion without issue. Offensive lineman Jon Jacobs remains out, however, as he was still in street clothes last night during practice. He is on the field and helping out where he can with talking to some of the younger players, but he is not participating in any part of practice.
Brian Casteel was a full go Wednesday after having to be limited Tuesday night. Meanwhile, although not injury related, linebacker Tony Fields II was not allowed to take part in the live period of practice as he still had one more day before being allowed to put the pads on since he missed the first practice of camp for a personal (family) matter and has been a day behind the rest of the team. He will be a full go Thursday night.
- Since I focused on the linebackers and running backs the last time the media was allowed to watch the one-one-one portion of practice I decided to focus on the receivers and defensive backs last night. Here's a few players I thought stood out among the group.
- Jalen Johnson: The freshman receiver has been impressive to start camp and yesterday was no exception. He made some nice plays during the one-on-one portion including a ball he had to come back for and find in the air after it was tipped. He looks the part physically already and right now he is showing that he has the skill to possibly start contributing this year.
- Boobie Curry: Ditto for Johnson's fellow freshman wideout. Curry continues to look like a veteran out there and although there are moments when he still has his mistakes he looks the part in every way and should be in play to be a starter once the season arrives. He is smooth and has only looked better than what he did in the spring, which was already impressive.
- Jamarye Joiner: I mentioned this on Twitter, but the more Joiner gets to practice at receiver the more he looks like a natural at the position. There's something to be said for pure athleticism and right now he is showing why the coaching staff had confidence he could make that move from quarterback. His route running will need to continue to improve, but his hands have been great and he simply looks the part when he's out there. He worked against Scottie Young Jr., one of UA's most experienced DBs, and he won the rep with a nice grab on a ball that was a little bit high.
- Tristan Cooper: The veteran safety gets lost a bit in the shuffle for whatever reason. He is another one of the team's most experienced defensive players, but he has never been a "star" on the team. He is important, however, and he looked good during the one-one-one portion of practice with a nice pass breakup as the highlight play. He is slotted in with the starting unit right now, so it is a good thing that he is playing well at the moment.
- Jaxen Turner: Another freshman who has been performing well in practice is the safety from California. Turner is someone already being mentioned as a likely contributor this season on special teams and he made some strong plays in coverage during the one-one-one portion of practice. He is a fearless defensive back with a bit of swagger to him and so far that is helping him make up some ground. The Arizona safety group is filled with veterans, but Turner might make it tough for the coaches to keep him off the field.
- I was also able to get a glimpse at the current first and second unit defensive groups Wednesday night as the team went through some drills before the scrimmage. Something that stood out that I think will make people happy is Mykee Irving running with the second unit on the interior of the defensive line. He looked pretty good and getting a better look at him moving around it's clear he is pretty solid shape right now as well.
Justin Belknap worked with the first group along the defensive line that also included Jalen Harris, JB Brown and Finton Connolly. Turner was working with the second unit at safety for the Wildcats.
- Freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell continues to receive praise from his teammates for his progress heading into the season. Fields spoke with the media after practice and pointed out that the Houston native has made big strides since the end of spring ball with his understanding. Right now Gunnell is looking like he will take that No. 2 spot behind Khalil Tate as the progress continues.
"He came in very mature for a young guy," Fields said of the UA quarterback. "He's learned the playbook and you don't see a lot of mental errors from him. ... You can see he's making his reads better now and he's slowing stuff down a lot more."
Videos
Photos
- Practice No. 5 photo gallery (click link)
