Arizona is hosting its local media today ahead of training camp tomorrow. Jedd Fisch is currently holding his press conference and that will be followed by coaches and players speaking with reporters in a Super Bowl media day type of format. We will have coverage, so be on the look out for that later today.
To start, there's a rundown of what Jedd Fisch had to say during his press conference.
* Jedd Fisch says it took about 90 days for the locker room renovations to be completed, and it was fully funded by a donation from Doug Allred. Fisch says he kept it a secret from the players and just let them know that the locker room was closed in the summer but didn't say why.
* Clarifying some of his comments from Pac-12 Media Day, Fisch says that just because Jayden de Laura will be taking most of the first-team reps in camp that doesn't mean other quarterbacks won't have an opportunity to work with that unit. He just feels that it is most important for de Laura to work with the starting center and starting receivers. At this point de Laura is being thought of as the starter for the team, and Fisch believes the Washington State transfer has earned that through his work since arriving on campus.
* A lot of players have been putting in work over the offseason, and Fisch notes that freshman receiver Tetairoa McMillan has added 18 pounds while freshman offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea has dropped about 10 pounds. He says de Laura has added 24 pounds since arriving on campus.
* Fisch lays out the starting offensive line and says Jordan Morgan, Josh Donovan, Josh Baker, Jonah Savaiinaea and Paiton Fears will be the starting group. He said the task will be figuring out who else can contribute since he knows the team will need more than five linemen. He adds that Jacob Reece is fully cleared to practice and play this season after dealing with a health situation in the spring.
* Defensive tackle Kyon Barrs, receiver Jamarye and Baker will all be all on "pitch count" during camp according to Fisch and with Baker in particular that means only being able to participate in about half of what the team will be doing throughout the month. All three players are working their way back from offseason surgery.
* Fisch says two position groups to keep an eye on during camp are the linebackers since there are a number of options at the position. He says it will be interesting to see how it "shakes out" with that group. He also notes that the running back position will be one to watch closely as some players begin to return to form after dealing with injuries for a while including Stevie Rocker Jr. Michael Wiley, Jalen John and Drake Anderson. Plus, he noted that DJ Williams and Speedy Luke are both on campus after not being with the team in the spring.
* Freshman Tyler Martin has been preparing to play inside linebacker and "Cat" with Fisch noting that the first-year linebacker has been "tremendous" in the weight room this summer. So, the team is excited about what he'll be able to do when he gets on the field, but for now he will work as an inside linebacker mostly with the chance that he could slide down and play some of that edge rusher position.
• Right now the plan for T-Mac is to have him start as an outside receiver, but Fisch hopes there is continued improvement as the team gets closer to the season. He says Kevin Cummings priority with the freshman wideout will be to make him a better route runner while Tyler Owens will continue working with McMillan to improve his strength even more after a productive summer.
To start, there's a rundown of what Jedd Fisch had to say during his press conference.
* Jedd Fisch says it took about 90 days for the locker room renovations to be completed, and it was fully funded by a donation from Doug Allred. Fisch says he kept it a secret from the players and just let them know that the locker room was closed in the summer but didn't say why.
* Clarifying some of his comments from Pac-12 Media Day, Fisch says that just because Jayden de Laura will be taking most of the first-team reps in camp that doesn't mean other quarterbacks won't have an opportunity to work with that unit. He just feels that it is most important for de Laura to work with the starting center and starting receivers. At this point de Laura is being thought of as the starter for the team, and Fisch believes the Washington State transfer has earned that through his work since arriving on campus.
* A lot of players have been putting in work over the offseason, and Fisch notes that freshman receiver Tetairoa McMillan has added 18 pounds while freshman offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea has dropped about 10 pounds. He says de Laura has added 24 pounds since arriving on campus.
* Fisch lays out the starting offensive line and says Jordan Morgan, Josh Donovan, Josh Baker, Jonah Savaiinaea and Paiton Fears will be the starting group. He said the task will be figuring out who else can contribute since he knows the team will need more than five linemen. He adds that Jacob Reece is fully cleared to practice and play this season after dealing with a health situation in the spring.
* Defensive tackle Kyon Barrs, receiver Jamarye and Baker will all be all on "pitch count" during camp according to Fisch and with Baker in particular that means only being able to participate in about half of what the team will be doing throughout the month. All three players are working their way back from offseason surgery.
* Fisch says two position groups to keep an eye on during camp are the linebackers since there are a number of options at the position. He says it will be interesting to see how it "shakes out" with that group. He also notes that the running back position will be one to watch closely as some players begin to return to form after dealing with injuries for a while including Stevie Rocker Jr. Michael Wiley, Jalen John and Drake Anderson. Plus, he noted that DJ Williams and Speedy Luke are both on campus after not being with the team in the spring.
* Freshman Tyler Martin has been preparing to play inside linebacker and "Cat" with Fisch noting that the first-year linebacker has been "tremendous" in the weight room this summer. So, the team is excited about what he'll be able to do when he gets on the field, but for now he will work as an inside linebacker mostly with the chance that he could slide down and play some of that edge rusher position.
• Right now the plan for T-Mac is to have him start as an outside receiver, but Fisch hopes there is continued improvement as the team gets closer to the season. He says Kevin Cummings priority with the freshman wideout will be to make him a better route runner while Tyler Owens will continue working with McMillan to improve his strength even more after a productive summer.
