Arizona was back at it Wednesday morning with another practice as it gets ready for No. 9 Washington. Here are today's quick notes after Wednesday morning's practice.
* We'll start with the fun stuff and a new player on scholarship. Rich Rodriguez doesn't like to announce when a player gets put on scholarship but he did that last night mentioning it in passing that redshirt sophomore Christian Boettcher is now a scholarship player. He confirmed it today after practice. It was really only a matter of time for Boettcher as he made big strides in spring and early in camp. Now finally able to get on the field UA has him on scholarship. Doing so doesn't count against the initial counter list for any recruiting class just the 85-man limit so that is why he gets one and someone like Justin Belknap has to wait. As we have discussed before the NCAA makes a school count a walk-on to scholarship player against its 25-man limit for a class if he gets that scholarship before his third year in the program.
* Tellas Jones is back again and practicing and at this point I would be surprised if he's not on the field this Saturday and at the very least splitting time with Tristan Cooper at spur.
* Rodriguez was back to not wanting to talk about his quarterback situation again today. He said everyone will find out at 7:29 on Saturday. He did say that a decision hasn't been completely made on Khalil Tate yet. He said if the team can redshirt him they will this season but added "it's a long season" at the end of it. As of now Tate continues to get reps but Zach Werlinger would come ahead of him if a game situation called for it at this moment.
* I asked Rodriguez about his cornerbacks and what he wants to see from them now that Pac-12 play is about to begin. He said playing with confidence is the biggest thing he wants to see change. He feels that has been lacking through three games so far.
* Tristian Cooper said he always imagined he'd be on the field as a freshman but he didn't think he would be starting because of Jones' experience and ability. He added he is plenty excited to be around some of the talent he is in Arizona's secondary.
* We'll start with the fun stuff and a new player on scholarship. Rich Rodriguez doesn't like to announce when a player gets put on scholarship but he did that last night mentioning it in passing that redshirt sophomore Christian Boettcher is now a scholarship player. He confirmed it today after practice. It was really only a matter of time for Boettcher as he made big strides in spring and early in camp. Now finally able to get on the field UA has him on scholarship. Doing so doesn't count against the initial counter list for any recruiting class just the 85-man limit so that is why he gets one and someone like Justin Belknap has to wait. As we have discussed before the NCAA makes a school count a walk-on to scholarship player against its 25-man limit for a class if he gets that scholarship before his third year in the program.
* Tellas Jones is back again and practicing and at this point I would be surprised if he's not on the field this Saturday and at the very least splitting time with Tristan Cooper at spur.
* Rodriguez was back to not wanting to talk about his quarterback situation again today. He said everyone will find out at 7:29 on Saturday. He did say that a decision hasn't been completely made on Khalil Tate yet. He said if the team can redshirt him they will this season but added "it's a long season" at the end of it. As of now Tate continues to get reps but Zach Werlinger would come ahead of him if a game situation called for it at this moment.
* I asked Rodriguez about his cornerbacks and what he wants to see from them now that Pac-12 play is about to begin. He said playing with confidence is the biggest thing he wants to see change. He feels that has been lacking through three games so far.
* Tristian Cooper said he always imagined he'd be on the field as a freshman but he didn't think he would be starting because of Jones' experience and ability. He added he is plenty excited to be around some of the talent he is in Arizona's secondary.
