I know there have been some questions about redshirting. Some are easier to get a grasp on than others because of all the injuries, but here is a look at how I things should shake out this year with a little explanation as to why next to each.
If not listed then they have already participated in a game this season.
Probable redshirts
Brion Anduze: I like his frame but there really is no need for him this season. He's a guy who I could see helping down the road, but for now he'll get his work with the scout team.
Finton Connolly: Coming off that knee injury that caused him to miss his senior year he was always going to redshirt and he even had to get another procedure done just recently, so he will not play this year.
Cody Creason: There are times when you can tell he's still trying to process things and get comfortable in the system, but at this point Arizona doesn't need him this season. I like his frame and attitude and he will have a chance to contribute earlier in his career, but for now I don't see a reason to push him this year.
Dane Cruikshank: I thought coming into the year he had the skill set to be effective in his first season, but as camp went on and now into the season that just doesn't look like it will be the case. He's working with the scout team now and right now it looks like he won't be used this year.
Kendal Franklin: Linebacker is a hard position to break into early on this team and you have seen that with some other players (ie Cobb, Ware) and you have to know the ins and outs of the system to get on the field early. Even with all the injuries at linebacker Franklin is a guy who still needs some more time and he'll be a much bigger part of things in the coming years.
Darick Holmes: The receiver battled through injury during camp and that set him back a little bit. He has a chance to be a real big part of the offense in time, but this season there are so many options at receiver he is just not needed at this point. A year in the system and getting his strength up will help moving forward.
Jordan Morgan: He still has a lot to work on. I like his size, but he is still figuring things out with the scheme and he will need more time at a position that already has some depth to it this season.
Cedric Peterson: Another case where there is just an abundance of players at his position. During camp you could see his head was spinning at times and he just needs more time to settle in and really get a good handle on the system.
On the cusp
Devon Brewer: He has not been on the participation reports so he still has his redshirt and at this point it will be interesting to see what UA does with him. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles came in and took that second free safety spot, but the staff does like what Brewer brings to the table. If there was an injury I could see the team burning his redshirt this year, and even if there isn't an injury I think there's a chance he sees some action at some point.
Nathan Eldridge: I like his game and he had a pretty strong camp, but for now he will wait. This is one to watch though as the season develops. Right now there is no plan to use him this year, but you just never know what could happen for sure. He has positioned himself well to get fast tracked should something come up.
Alex Kosinski: Rich Rodriguez said he will see the field this year and at this point that looks like it will be the case. There's always that chance UA doesn't need to get to him and he preserves that redshirt, but coming in early definitely helped him get ahead of the curve.
Anthony Mariscal: At this point he is mostly still working with the scout team, but he had a very good camp and really pushed to be more in the mix. He is one guy I could see getting some time as the schedule plays out. He will be a bigger part of things in the coming years and he has a chance to make a real impact early in his career, but for now he's right there on the cusp.
Sharif Williams: He probably could have been put in the other group because there have been no signs that he's going to get on the field this year, but I just get the sense he will somehow see some playing time at some point for one reason or another. Conditioning is the big issue with him right now and if you aren't in good enough shape that is a good sign you won't be seeing the field under Rodriguez. His size could definitely help up front, but for now he'll have to wait.
If not listed then they have already participated in a game this season.
Probable redshirts
Brion Anduze: I like his frame but there really is no need for him this season. He's a guy who I could see helping down the road, but for now he'll get his work with the scout team.
Finton Connolly: Coming off that knee injury that caused him to miss his senior year he was always going to redshirt and he even had to get another procedure done just recently, so he will not play this year.
Cody Creason: There are times when you can tell he's still trying to process things and get comfortable in the system, but at this point Arizona doesn't need him this season. I like his frame and attitude and he will have a chance to contribute earlier in his career, but for now I don't see a reason to push him this year.
Dane Cruikshank: I thought coming into the year he had the skill set to be effective in his first season, but as camp went on and now into the season that just doesn't look like it will be the case. He's working with the scout team now and right now it looks like he won't be used this year.
Kendal Franklin: Linebacker is a hard position to break into early on this team and you have seen that with some other players (ie Cobb, Ware) and you have to know the ins and outs of the system to get on the field early. Even with all the injuries at linebacker Franklin is a guy who still needs some more time and he'll be a much bigger part of things in the coming years.
Darick Holmes: The receiver battled through injury during camp and that set him back a little bit. He has a chance to be a real big part of the offense in time, but this season there are so many options at receiver he is just not needed at this point. A year in the system and getting his strength up will help moving forward.
Jordan Morgan: He still has a lot to work on. I like his size, but he is still figuring things out with the scheme and he will need more time at a position that already has some depth to it this season.
Cedric Peterson: Another case where there is just an abundance of players at his position. During camp you could see his head was spinning at times and he just needs more time to settle in and really get a good handle on the system.
On the cusp
Devon Brewer: He has not been on the participation reports so he still has his redshirt and at this point it will be interesting to see what UA does with him. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles came in and took that second free safety spot, but the staff does like what Brewer brings to the table. If there was an injury I could see the team burning his redshirt this year, and even if there isn't an injury I think there's a chance he sees some action at some point.
Nathan Eldridge: I like his game and he had a pretty strong camp, but for now he will wait. This is one to watch though as the season develops. Right now there is no plan to use him this year, but you just never know what could happen for sure. He has positioned himself well to get fast tracked should something come up.
Alex Kosinski: Rich Rodriguez said he will see the field this year and at this point that looks like it will be the case. There's always that chance UA doesn't need to get to him and he preserves that redshirt, but coming in early definitely helped him get ahead of the curve.
Anthony Mariscal: At this point he is mostly still working with the scout team, but he had a very good camp and really pushed to be more in the mix. He is one guy I could see getting some time as the schedule plays out. He will be a bigger part of things in the coming years and he has a chance to make a real impact early in his career, but for now he's right there on the cusp.
Sharif Williams: He probably could have been put in the other group because there have been no signs that he's going to get on the field this year, but I just get the sense he will somehow see some playing time at some point for one reason or another. Conditioning is the big issue with him right now and if you aren't in good enough shape that is a good sign you won't be seeing the field under Rodriguez. His size could definitely help up front, but for now he'll have to wait.
