It was probably the most bland open media period of camp Thursday night, which is a bit disappointing coming off what was probably the most informative one yet. There was definitely a good vibe around the field Thursday and it felt like a bit of a relaxing day for the team after Wednesday night's 50-play scrimmage.
Noel Mazzone had his infant grandson with him for the first part of practice and there was just a more relaxed tone overall without much yelling going on during the first part of practice.
Mazzone and Josh McCauley spoke with the media afterward, but before I get to that I'll break down some observations I made during Thursday's practice.
Notes and observations
* I'll start with Khalil Tate and you always want to wait to start pumping someone up, but there has been a lot of positive buzz so far regarding the Arizona senior quarterback. Whatever that mystique was that he had in 2017 sounds like it is coming back to him now in his final season. The way other players were talking about him last year had a less genuine feel to it compared to how they're talking about him now. I can also see it in the brief moments the media is allowed to watch practice. There's something about his game that is just sharper this year than what was there last year. The word has been that he has looked really strong behind closed doors and Mazzone even mentioned that there were a couple passes made from Tate that left him happy last night.
We may never see the guy who was on the field in October of 2017, but Tate really seems to be finding that sweet spot of who he wants to be and how he can be most effective as an all-around quarterback. Right now he's headed in a good direction and that is positive for the Wildcats.
* I have already talked about both freshmen wideouts, Boobie Curry and Jalen Johnson, but someone who needs to start getting mentioned more is redshirt sophomore Drew Dixon. The local high school star has had a quiet career up to this point but his best opportunity to see a lot of time on the field has finally arrived. It is an open competition on the outside and Dixon is looking like he will be the starter opposite Cedric Peterson as things stand right now. He has apparently impressed a lot of people behind closed doors with his development and he mentioned during the spring how much more seriously he is taking the game.
Don't be surprised if he ends up being one of the go-to players at wideout once the season starts.
* On the injury/inactive front there were a few players who did not participate in the drills with the rest of the team Thursday night. Peterson plus defensive backs McKenzie Barnes and Malcolm Holland were all suited up but worked with the trainers during the part of practice open to the media. Offensive lineman Jon Jacobs continues to watch from the sidelines while freshman linebacker Eddie Siaumau was doing the same Thursday.
* Freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell continues to be an impressive newcomer to the team so far. Because Kevin Doyle remains out with an injury the freshman has stepped in to take some more reps and he is making the most of it. There has been progress made even since the end of spring ball and it's something the coaching staff and his teammates can clearly see. Mazzone has been impressed by what Gunnell has shown so far.
"I think he's way ahead of the curve," the UA offensive coordinator said after Thursday's practice. "I think in his first five practices he's somewhere around 70 percent completion so far during the team stuff. ... He has a really high football IQ and he's a perfectionist, which I like. He likes doing things right."
Mazzone said Gunnell has made his biggest strides with his arm strength.
McCauley had been impressed by Gunnell in another area outside of what he brings to the field from a physical standpoint.
"Usually freshmen quarterbacks you don't see come in talking a whole bunch and trying to really run the offense," the UA starting center said. "It's more of them getting to play and trying to figure out their job. He's really a field general and he'll try to take command of his group and do the job to the best of his ability."
* Mazzone only speaks to the media every now and then, so when he does it is an important moment. Here is a rundown of the notable topics he addressed last night while speaking with the media.
- There has been a lot made of the relationship between Mazzone and Tate over the last year. Kevin Sumlin previously said it was essentially something that was made up. Mazzone spoke about their relationship Thursday.
"We're in the same chapter," he said after being asked if the two are on the same page. "... At least we're in the same chapter right now, but he's been really fun to work with this camp. ... I think he feels more comfortable with us and we feel more comfortable with him, and he feels more comfortable with the offense. I think he's really decided to take ownership in the offense, and if you take ownership you better fix things if they're broken."
Mazzone went on to say that Tate is holding people accountable and it starts with the quarterback himself and making sure he's working hard everyday.
- Arizona's receiver group is one of the most undecided on the team right now. There are a lot of players with talent, but there is virtually no experience among the unit outside of Peterson who has started games before. Stanley Berryhill III has played some, but outside of him there aren't any others who have seen the field for a significant amount of plays. Most of the returning group was able to get on the field last year but it was just in small spurts.
There are several newcomers who have been impressive, but at this point Mazzone said the plan will be to hold off on cutting down just who will be part of the rotation until the next week or week and a half.
Even with all the inexperience there is a clear excitement about the group from Mazzone.
"Love them," he said about UA's receivers. "The inside guys and the outside guys. There's obviously a lot of youth there but a lot of talented youth. So, they have their growing pains like any youngster does but I'm really excited about that whole group."
- Jamarye Joiner's move from quarterback to receiver has seemed to be a move for the better so far. He's looked good during the open portions of practice and has become someone who could see time on the field this year because of it. Mazzone commended the attitude of the redshirt freshman to be willing to make the move and help his team.
"I love that guy," Mazzone said. "He's done great. I gotta tell you, my respect for him is off the charts because he saw a need and he kind of saw the big picture of our football team, our offense and where we could use some help. And, he came in and said, 'coach, I want to help.'
"So, I got a lot of respect for the guy. He definitely was very selfless in putting the team in front of himself. ... He's really a lot further ahead than I expected."
- Doyle has been suiting up and going through some of the drills with the rest of the team, but he has not been throwing as of this point in camp. That has allowed someone like Gunnell to get more time to shine, but Mazzone remains confident the redshirt freshman will get his chance to fully get back into the mix soon.
"Obviously when you miss all the reps it's a setback," he said. "There's no way around that, but also it's not worth it to make a two-week injury a two-month injury because you come back too early. It's nothing major, he just has a little pull. What I've found with quarterbacks is whenever there's an issue with the throwing motion the only thing you can do is rest them. If not it just throws everything out of whack."
You can watch the full interview with Mazzone down below.
Videos
Photos
- Practice No. 6 photo gallery (click link)
As a note, tonight's practice will be starting a little later than usual with practice getting underway close to 7 p.m. Saturday's practice is a morning practice with a 10 a.m. start time ahead of another scrimmage for the team. So, unless there is something out of the ordinary that takes place tonight I will combine the notes for Practices No. 7 and 8 and get those posted Saturday afternoon.
Noel Mazzone had his infant grandson with him for the first part of practice and there was just a more relaxed tone overall without much yelling going on during the first part of practice.
Mazzone and Josh McCauley spoke with the media afterward, but before I get to that I'll break down some observations I made during Thursday's practice.
Notes and observations
* I'll start with Khalil Tate and you always want to wait to start pumping someone up, but there has been a lot of positive buzz so far regarding the Arizona senior quarterback. Whatever that mystique was that he had in 2017 sounds like it is coming back to him now in his final season. The way other players were talking about him last year had a less genuine feel to it compared to how they're talking about him now. I can also see it in the brief moments the media is allowed to watch practice. There's something about his game that is just sharper this year than what was there last year. The word has been that he has looked really strong behind closed doors and Mazzone even mentioned that there were a couple passes made from Tate that left him happy last night.
We may never see the guy who was on the field in October of 2017, but Tate really seems to be finding that sweet spot of who he wants to be and how he can be most effective as an all-around quarterback. Right now he's headed in a good direction and that is positive for the Wildcats.
* I have already talked about both freshmen wideouts, Boobie Curry and Jalen Johnson, but someone who needs to start getting mentioned more is redshirt sophomore Drew Dixon. The local high school star has had a quiet career up to this point but his best opportunity to see a lot of time on the field has finally arrived. It is an open competition on the outside and Dixon is looking like he will be the starter opposite Cedric Peterson as things stand right now. He has apparently impressed a lot of people behind closed doors with his development and he mentioned during the spring how much more seriously he is taking the game.
Don't be surprised if he ends up being one of the go-to players at wideout once the season starts.
* On the injury/inactive front there were a few players who did not participate in the drills with the rest of the team Thursday night. Peterson plus defensive backs McKenzie Barnes and Malcolm Holland were all suited up but worked with the trainers during the part of practice open to the media. Offensive lineman Jon Jacobs continues to watch from the sidelines while freshman linebacker Eddie Siaumau was doing the same Thursday.
* Freshman quarterback Grant Gunnell continues to be an impressive newcomer to the team so far. Because Kevin Doyle remains out with an injury the freshman has stepped in to take some more reps and he is making the most of it. There has been progress made even since the end of spring ball and it's something the coaching staff and his teammates can clearly see. Mazzone has been impressed by what Gunnell has shown so far.
"I think he's way ahead of the curve," the UA offensive coordinator said after Thursday's practice. "I think in his first five practices he's somewhere around 70 percent completion so far during the team stuff. ... He has a really high football IQ and he's a perfectionist, which I like. He likes doing things right."
Mazzone said Gunnell has made his biggest strides with his arm strength.
McCauley had been impressed by Gunnell in another area outside of what he brings to the field from a physical standpoint.
"Usually freshmen quarterbacks you don't see come in talking a whole bunch and trying to really run the offense," the UA starting center said. "It's more of them getting to play and trying to figure out their job. He's really a field general and he'll try to take command of his group and do the job to the best of his ability."
* Mazzone only speaks to the media every now and then, so when he does it is an important moment. Here is a rundown of the notable topics he addressed last night while speaking with the media.
- There has been a lot made of the relationship between Mazzone and Tate over the last year. Kevin Sumlin previously said it was essentially something that was made up. Mazzone spoke about their relationship Thursday.
"We're in the same chapter," he said after being asked if the two are on the same page. "... At least we're in the same chapter right now, but he's been really fun to work with this camp. ... I think he feels more comfortable with us and we feel more comfortable with him, and he feels more comfortable with the offense. I think he's really decided to take ownership in the offense, and if you take ownership you better fix things if they're broken."
Mazzone went on to say that Tate is holding people accountable and it starts with the quarterback himself and making sure he's working hard everyday.
- Arizona's receiver group is one of the most undecided on the team right now. There are a lot of players with talent, but there is virtually no experience among the unit outside of Peterson who has started games before. Stanley Berryhill III has played some, but outside of him there aren't any others who have seen the field for a significant amount of plays. Most of the returning group was able to get on the field last year but it was just in small spurts.
There are several newcomers who have been impressive, but at this point Mazzone said the plan will be to hold off on cutting down just who will be part of the rotation until the next week or week and a half.
Even with all the inexperience there is a clear excitement about the group from Mazzone.
"Love them," he said about UA's receivers. "The inside guys and the outside guys. There's obviously a lot of youth there but a lot of talented youth. So, they have their growing pains like any youngster does but I'm really excited about that whole group."
- Jamarye Joiner's move from quarterback to receiver has seemed to be a move for the better so far. He's looked good during the open portions of practice and has become someone who could see time on the field this year because of it. Mazzone commended the attitude of the redshirt freshman to be willing to make the move and help his team.
"I love that guy," Mazzone said. "He's done great. I gotta tell you, my respect for him is off the charts because he saw a need and he kind of saw the big picture of our football team, our offense and where we could use some help. And, he came in and said, 'coach, I want to help.'
"So, I got a lot of respect for the guy. He definitely was very selfless in putting the team in front of himself. ... He's really a lot further ahead than I expected."
- Doyle has been suiting up and going through some of the drills with the rest of the team, but he has not been throwing as of this point in camp. That has allowed someone like Gunnell to get more time to shine, but Mazzone remains confident the redshirt freshman will get his chance to fully get back into the mix soon.
"Obviously when you miss all the reps it's a setback," he said. "There's no way around that, but also it's not worth it to make a two-week injury a two-month injury because you come back too early. It's nothing major, he just has a little pull. What I've found with quarterbacks is whenever there's an issue with the throwing motion the only thing you can do is rest them. If not it just throws everything out of whack."
You can watch the full interview with Mazzone down below.
Videos
Photos
- Practice No. 6 photo gallery (click link)
As a note, tonight's practice will be starting a little later than usual with practice getting underway close to 7 p.m. Saturday's practice is a morning practice with a 10 a.m. start time ahead of another scrimmage for the team. So, unless there is something out of the ordinary that takes place tonight I will combine the notes for Practices No. 7 and 8 and get those posted Saturday afternoon.
