It was the start of a new week of practice Monday night. It will be the final week of open viewing for the media (starting next week practice will be closed) so it is an important time to get a feel for where the Wildcats stand as the coaching staff starts to take a closer look narrowing down the competition at certain positions. Monday night's practice featured another extended look at the team with the media allowed to watch some of the one-on-one portion of practice.
Everything had to be moved inside because of the lightning, but having the Davis Sports Center means there was no change to practice time which is one of the big reasons the building was constructed.
Here's the rundown of practice for the ninth day of Arizona's training camp.
Notes and observations
* I'll start off with the one-one-one portion. Because of how the DSC is set up they don't want the media going on the side of the field that the linemen were on for safety reasons, so my view of the defensive and offensive line was cut off for most of the practice which is unfortunate. I know it had been asked of me to keep an eye on the group, but I was truly only able to see that unit during the individual portion of the practice and even then the view wasn't great.
Because of that I kept my focus on the other position groups during the one-on-one portion of practice first watching the receivers and defensive backs and then taking a look at the running backs and linebackers.
Here's my quick overview of who I thought stood out throughout that portion of practice.
- Boobie Curry: I'm sure you're seeing his name other places and there's a reason for it. He looked like the best receiver on the field during the one-one-one portion of practice. He didn't lose a rep that I watched and he had the best catch of the entire period. Arizona is going to need him to step up for depth and to help contribute and now with Jalen Johnson on the mend there is a clear opening for the freshman to have an even bigger role than anticipated. He looks the part and he should be an instant help for the offense. They had the group doing some blocking as well and he looked solid in that area as well.
- Colin Schooler: Arizona's star linebacker has shown what he can do on the field and now that he's trimmed down some more he could be even more effective. During the linebacker/running back one-on-one portion the linebackers certainly had the advantage and Schooler was making pretty much any running back he went up against look silly. He was nearly impossible to block during the drill as he continues to show why he's considered one of the best players in the conference.
- Khalil Tate: The UA quarterback has felt a bit different this camp. Everything has been just a little bit sharper from the senior. He has carried himself a bit differently and has seemed more in tune with his game and with what the coaching staff is looking for. It's obviously difficult to see his running ability in the setting the media is allowed to watch, but his ability as a passer has continued to progress. He looked good again Monday night with the different throws the staff was having him make. A lot of what happens this season will hinge on what Tate looks like, but it certainly feels like he is in a better place now than this time a year ago.
- Zach Williams: The second-year pass catcher looked good through the one-on-one portion of practice. He has a size advantage on a lot of the safeties he ends up going against and he takes advantage of that from time to time, but his ability to get down the field remains impressive for a player his size. He had a nice play against Chacho Ulloa during the one-on-one portion of practice and Ulloa is someone who has had a strong camp so far. So, it shows what type of player Williams is turning into and he is someone who has also put together a strong showing so far.
- Tony Fields II: He was able to get JJ Taylor back for Saturday's juke on the first play of the scrimmage with a nice rush during the one-on-one drill. He has certainly started to find his rhythm after having to miss the first day of practice and he continues to look good at his linebacker spot. He may have only lost one rep during his time going through the drill and there were moments when he was simply unstoppable for the running back group.
- Derrion Clark: It was really the first time I stopped to watch the new linebacker closely and he is another impressive freshman for the Wildcats. Right now he is playing middle linebacker for UA and while it could end up taking some time for him to get on the field because of some solid depth he has a promising future. He definitely showed a knack for getting in the backfield during the drill Monday night and there is a quickness about his game that stands out. So far I like what I see from him and if he can continue to make progress and learn the defense he might end up making it difficult for the coaches to keep him off the field.
* On the injury front I have already mentioned Johnson not being at practice. Cornerback McKenzie Barnes continues to work off to the side although he is fully suited up like the rest of the team. The staff is being cautious with him right now because he has been slotted into a backup role, but it is leaving the door open for other players to earn some time with that second group. Freshman receiver Jaden Mitchell was a new player working off to the side Monday night as he was mostly just walking around the field during practice.
* There was some more mixing and matching going on with the two lines as the coaching staff works to figure out what it wants to do with the starting unit. Newcomer Paiton Fears was back with the starting group Monday night and Robert Congel made his camp debut with the first unit. Congel has been working a lot a center since arriving in Tucson last year from Texas A&M, but he was used in the left guard spot Monday night while Fears remained at right tackle. Those are the two "open" spots on UA's offensive line and lately it has been Josh Donovan and Edgar Burrola at the two positions with the starting group.
On the defensive side of the ball junior college newcomers Myles Tapusoa and Trevon Mason got their turn to run with the first unit defense for the first time in camp during an open period. Tapusoa has been working with the second unit while Mason has been bouncing around with different groups through the early part in camp. The coaching staff really wants to get Mason on the field as quickly as possible this season, so while he is still getting in shape the hope is that he can be fast-tracked these next couple weeks so he can get on the field early in the season. The plan right now is to have a rotation along the defensive line, so players getting comfortable working with that first unit will be key so there are fewer hiccups once the season arrives.
It is certainly a positive sign that both newcomers are being viewed that way and being given a chance to get familiar with the starting group.
* Tristan Cooper and Drew Dixon spoke with the media Monday night and you can view their full interviews below. There was a lot of talk about the tragedy in El Paso with Cooper, who was born and raised in the city. However, when it came down to football he gave what has been the clearest answer about why this preseason feels different for the Wildcats. There have been some answers close to what Cooper said Monday night, but nobody has quite put it like he did. He was asked why he thinks the Arizona defense will be better this season and here was his response.
There has definitely been a different kind of energy around the team. It has been a little bit more comfortable than I remember last year and everyone seems to understand their jobs right now. We'll see what it all adds up to when the season arrives, but it feels like the headspace across the board has improved quite a bit.
Videos
Photo gallery
- Practice No. 9 gallery (click link)
Everything had to be moved inside because of the lightning, but having the Davis Sports Center means there was no change to practice time which is one of the big reasons the building was constructed.
Here's the rundown of practice for the ninth day of Arizona's training camp.
Notes and observations
* I'll start off with the one-one-one portion. Because of how the DSC is set up they don't want the media going on the side of the field that the linemen were on for safety reasons, so my view of the defensive and offensive line was cut off for most of the practice which is unfortunate. I know it had been asked of me to keep an eye on the group, but I was truly only able to see that unit during the individual portion of the practice and even then the view wasn't great.
Because of that I kept my focus on the other position groups during the one-on-one portion of practice first watching the receivers and defensive backs and then taking a look at the running backs and linebackers.
Here's my quick overview of who I thought stood out throughout that portion of practice.
- Boobie Curry: I'm sure you're seeing his name other places and there's a reason for it. He looked like the best receiver on the field during the one-one-one portion of practice. He didn't lose a rep that I watched and he had the best catch of the entire period. Arizona is going to need him to step up for depth and to help contribute and now with Jalen Johnson on the mend there is a clear opening for the freshman to have an even bigger role than anticipated. He looks the part and he should be an instant help for the offense. They had the group doing some blocking as well and he looked solid in that area as well.
- Colin Schooler: Arizona's star linebacker has shown what he can do on the field and now that he's trimmed down some more he could be even more effective. During the linebacker/running back one-on-one portion the linebackers certainly had the advantage and Schooler was making pretty much any running back he went up against look silly. He was nearly impossible to block during the drill as he continues to show why he's considered one of the best players in the conference.
- Khalil Tate: The UA quarterback has felt a bit different this camp. Everything has been just a little bit sharper from the senior. He has carried himself a bit differently and has seemed more in tune with his game and with what the coaching staff is looking for. It's obviously difficult to see his running ability in the setting the media is allowed to watch, but his ability as a passer has continued to progress. He looked good again Monday night with the different throws the staff was having him make. A lot of what happens this season will hinge on what Tate looks like, but it certainly feels like he is in a better place now than this time a year ago.
- Zach Williams: The second-year pass catcher looked good through the one-on-one portion of practice. He has a size advantage on a lot of the safeties he ends up going against and he takes advantage of that from time to time, but his ability to get down the field remains impressive for a player his size. He had a nice play against Chacho Ulloa during the one-on-one portion of practice and Ulloa is someone who has had a strong camp so far. So, it shows what type of player Williams is turning into and he is someone who has also put together a strong showing so far.
- Tony Fields II: He was able to get JJ Taylor back for Saturday's juke on the first play of the scrimmage with a nice rush during the one-on-one drill. He has certainly started to find his rhythm after having to miss the first day of practice and he continues to look good at his linebacker spot. He may have only lost one rep during his time going through the drill and there were moments when he was simply unstoppable for the running back group.
- Derrion Clark: It was really the first time I stopped to watch the new linebacker closely and he is another impressive freshman for the Wildcats. Right now he is playing middle linebacker for UA and while it could end up taking some time for him to get on the field because of some solid depth he has a promising future. He definitely showed a knack for getting in the backfield during the drill Monday night and there is a quickness about his game that stands out. So far I like what I see from him and if he can continue to make progress and learn the defense he might end up making it difficult for the coaches to keep him off the field.
* On the injury front I have already mentioned Johnson not being at practice. Cornerback McKenzie Barnes continues to work off to the side although he is fully suited up like the rest of the team. The staff is being cautious with him right now because he has been slotted into a backup role, but it is leaving the door open for other players to earn some time with that second group. Freshman receiver Jaden Mitchell was a new player working off to the side Monday night as he was mostly just walking around the field during practice.
* There was some more mixing and matching going on with the two lines as the coaching staff works to figure out what it wants to do with the starting unit. Newcomer Paiton Fears was back with the starting group Monday night and Robert Congel made his camp debut with the first unit. Congel has been working a lot a center since arriving in Tucson last year from Texas A&M, but he was used in the left guard spot Monday night while Fears remained at right tackle. Those are the two "open" spots on UA's offensive line and lately it has been Josh Donovan and Edgar Burrola at the two positions with the starting group.
On the defensive side of the ball junior college newcomers Myles Tapusoa and Trevon Mason got their turn to run with the first unit defense for the first time in camp during an open period. Tapusoa has been working with the second unit while Mason has been bouncing around with different groups through the early part in camp. The coaching staff really wants to get Mason on the field as quickly as possible this season, so while he is still getting in shape the hope is that he can be fast-tracked these next couple weeks so he can get on the field early in the season. The plan right now is to have a rotation along the defensive line, so players getting comfortable working with that first unit will be key so there are fewer hiccups once the season arrives.
It is certainly a positive sign that both newcomers are being viewed that way and being given a chance to get familiar with the starting group.
* Tristan Cooper and Drew Dixon spoke with the media Monday night and you can view their full interviews below. There was a lot of talk about the tragedy in El Paso with Cooper, who was born and raised in the city. However, when it came down to football he gave what has been the clearest answer about why this preseason feels different for the Wildcats. There have been some answers close to what Cooper said Monday night, but nobody has quite put it like he did. He was asked why he thinks the Arizona defense will be better this season and here was his response.
There has definitely been a different kind of energy around the team. It has been a little bit more comfortable than I remember last year and everyone seems to understand their jobs right now. We'll see what it all adds up to when the season arrives, but it feels like the headspace across the board has improved quite a bit.
Videos
Photo gallery
- Practice No. 9 gallery (click link)
