Arizona has completed training camp and is officially 9 days away from the game against San Diego State. With that being said, I wanted to share my second official depth chart before the start of game week to give you guys an idea of where players stack up on the roster.
In the depth chart I'll go through each position and then give a breakdown as to why it has shaped up that way to this point.
Depth Chart
Offense
QB: Jayden de Laura, Noah Fifita
Breakdown - After struggling through the start of came de Laura now looks the part of an All-Pac-12 QB and seems not only to be making the correct reads but also he is able to adjust things at the line. His development is huge, and Arizona finally have a high-level quarterback for the first time since Khalil Tate had his breakout month.
As for Fifita, he has been everything that he was during spring ball and more. The kid simply doesn't make mistakes and seems to always make the correct high-football IQ play every single time. In my opinion, he has had the best arm of the group and has glimpse of a young Russell Wilson at NC State.
However, the last few practices of camp, Fifita struggled and started to not seem as comfortable in the pocket. I think seeing his ball swatted four to five times has gotten in his head casing him to hit the freshman wall.
RB: Michael Wiley, DJ Williams, Jonah Coleman
Breakdown - At the start of training camp, the running backs were the hardest position to judge because we saw many guys getting first-team reps. Now, I can say that the staff has cut that down to Wiley, Williams and Coleman and they have made it clear that multiple guys will get touches throughout a game and that at least one of those guys will start to separate themselves in the game and end with more touches. Essentially, they're going to ride the hot hand of the game.
Now, although Wiley, Williams and Coleman are the top three running backs, that doesn't mean that a guy like Rayshon Luke won't get any touches throughout the game. In fact, I thought that they would give him four to five touches, but after seeing how skilled he is, I think they will try to get him the ball seven to eight times in a multitude of ways.
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Anthony Simpson or AJ Jones
Slot: Jacob Cowing, Kevin Green or Anthony Simpson
WR: Dorian Singer, Anthony Simpson or AJ Jones
Breakdown - This is one of the deepest positions on the team and might be the most depth the Wildcats have had since the 2009 season that featured Juron Criner, Delashaun Dean and Terrell Turner as starters which in my opinion is the top wide receiver group the program has ever had.
Although it is very deep, McMillan, Singer and Cowing have clearly been the starting group the staff will go with since the end of spring football and nothing has changed. All three players have shown that they can dominated any defender you put on them and Arizona might have two 1,000-yard out of the bunch.
In terms of the backups, Anthony Simpson has been interesting to watch, and the staff has put him all over the field to give other starters rest making me believe that outside of the slot, he will be backup No. 1. Previously, I had Jamarye Joiner on the depth chart, but after seeing practices near the end of camp, I believe that Jones has surpassed Joiner and gives the Wildcats more length off the bench.
TE: Alex Lines, Keyan Burnett
Breakdown - Arizona has said for years that they will be using the tight end and from Rich Rodriguez to Kevin Sumlin that statement has been false. But I can with confidence tell you that the tight end position is officially back in Tucson. The staff has been running 70 to 80 percent of its plays with a tight end on the field at all times. Also, the quarterbacks have been passing to them over the middle of the field like a safety net.
Although I put Lines as the "starting" tight end, it is more of a 1 and 1A situation and I see the staff using him and Burnett with a 50/50 split and some situations will be more ideal for a particular guy. Plus, I see Tanner McLachlan getting snaps during games with the staff being able to go a solid three-deep at the position.
This position hasn't changed, and I don't expect it too anytime soon.
LT: Jordan Morgan, Sam Langi, Joseph Borjon
LG: Josh Donovan, Leif Magnuson, JT Hand
C: Josh Baker, JT Hand
RG: Jonah Savaiinaea, Leif Magnuson, JT Hand
RT: Paiton Fears, Sam Langi, Woody Jean
Breakdown - Last season you could argue that the offensive line was perhaps the worst line in program history or at least in recent memory, especially early during the season. However, it was a group that was riddled with injuries and even got better as the season progressed.
Things seem to be trending in a positive direction for the group and the starters haven't changed since midway through spring ball. The biggest addition to the group is Savaiinaea, who has gone from 340 pounds to 328 in a matter of months working with the training staff and has looked the part of a cornerstone player for years to come.
Now, Although I think the starting unit will be drastically improved from 2021, the depth of the line has some holes in it and those holes are on the edge. The middle of the line for the second team are three guys that have gotten starting experience last season, but on the edge, there aren't many in-game snaps there.
The depth of the tackles is a major issue for Arizona if it gets into any injury situations. Right now, I think Langi be used on both tackles spots if anyone goes down. Remember, he is a guard first, but they have been teaching him tackle for this situation in mind.
Defense (4-2-5)
DE: Jalen Harris, Paris Shand or JB Brown
DT: Kyon Barrs, Paris Shand or Dion Wilson Jr.
DT: Tiaoalii Savea, JB Brown or Dion Wilson Jr., Paris Shand
CAT: Hunter Echols, Russell Davis
Breakdown - This is one of the deepest defensive lines the Wildcats have had in a very long time, they have size, strength and speed while going a legitimate seven deep. I think the staff will rotate those seven guys throughout not only a game, but in the middle of drives so that they can keep players fresh and ready for the fourth quarter.
Although I think they are seven deep, the Wildcats do have players like walk-on Jacob Kongaika and Evan Branch-Haynes, who have seen some snaps with the first-team defense. I think they will be used as "break glass" guys as they continue to develop their game.
The player to watch on the depth chart is Russell Davis, who has jumped into the rotation over the last week of camp and the staff is starting to start Davis in unique packages with five-down defensive linemen. He is highly impressive and will be a legit starter for the Wildcats in the future.
MIKE: Jerry Roberts, Malik Reed or Kolbe Cage
WILL: Kolbe Cage, Malik Reed, Ammon Allen
Breakdown - I do think there is more talent at the linebacking position than originally thought of at the start of training camp and the staff has talked about adding the SAM position for a 4-3 defensive look in certain situations. right now, Roberts is the only lock to start and is the best linebacker of the bunch.
As for the WILL position, well, it has changed again and right now, it is Kolbe Cage starting ahead of Malik Reed on the first-team defense. I really can't figure this spot out; it seems like it changes every other practice. That is not the best sign for Arizona, but again I think they have talent there, but it is very young and isn't fully ready yet.
The Wildcats have a solid four linebackers that they can rely upon and trust to put into game situations. After that, you have guys that need time to develop and work on their game.
In the depth chart I'll go through each position and then give a breakdown as to why it has shaped up that way to this point.
Depth Chart
Offense
QB: Jayden de Laura, Noah Fifita
Breakdown - After struggling through the start of came de Laura now looks the part of an All-Pac-12 QB and seems not only to be making the correct reads but also he is able to adjust things at the line. His development is huge, and Arizona finally have a high-level quarterback for the first time since Khalil Tate had his breakout month.
As for Fifita, he has been everything that he was during spring ball and more. The kid simply doesn't make mistakes and seems to always make the correct high-football IQ play every single time. In my opinion, he has had the best arm of the group and has glimpse of a young Russell Wilson at NC State.
However, the last few practices of camp, Fifita struggled and started to not seem as comfortable in the pocket. I think seeing his ball swatted four to five times has gotten in his head casing him to hit the freshman wall.
RB: Michael Wiley, DJ Williams, Jonah Coleman
Breakdown - At the start of training camp, the running backs were the hardest position to judge because we saw many guys getting first-team reps. Now, I can say that the staff has cut that down to Wiley, Williams and Coleman and they have made it clear that multiple guys will get touches throughout a game and that at least one of those guys will start to separate themselves in the game and end with more touches. Essentially, they're going to ride the hot hand of the game.
Now, although Wiley, Williams and Coleman are the top three running backs, that doesn't mean that a guy like Rayshon Luke won't get any touches throughout the game. In fact, I thought that they would give him four to five touches, but after seeing how skilled he is, I think they will try to get him the ball seven to eight times in a multitude of ways.
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Anthony Simpson or AJ Jones
Slot: Jacob Cowing, Kevin Green or Anthony Simpson
WR: Dorian Singer, Anthony Simpson or AJ Jones
Breakdown - This is one of the deepest positions on the team and might be the most depth the Wildcats have had since the 2009 season that featured Juron Criner, Delashaun Dean and Terrell Turner as starters which in my opinion is the top wide receiver group the program has ever had.
Although it is very deep, McMillan, Singer and Cowing have clearly been the starting group the staff will go with since the end of spring football and nothing has changed. All three players have shown that they can dominated any defender you put on them and Arizona might have two 1,000-yard out of the bunch.
In terms of the backups, Anthony Simpson has been interesting to watch, and the staff has put him all over the field to give other starters rest making me believe that outside of the slot, he will be backup No. 1. Previously, I had Jamarye Joiner on the depth chart, but after seeing practices near the end of camp, I believe that Jones has surpassed Joiner and gives the Wildcats more length off the bench.
TE: Alex Lines, Keyan Burnett
Breakdown - Arizona has said for years that they will be using the tight end and from Rich Rodriguez to Kevin Sumlin that statement has been false. But I can with confidence tell you that the tight end position is officially back in Tucson. The staff has been running 70 to 80 percent of its plays with a tight end on the field at all times. Also, the quarterbacks have been passing to them over the middle of the field like a safety net.
Although I put Lines as the "starting" tight end, it is more of a 1 and 1A situation and I see the staff using him and Burnett with a 50/50 split and some situations will be more ideal for a particular guy. Plus, I see Tanner McLachlan getting snaps during games with the staff being able to go a solid three-deep at the position.
This position hasn't changed, and I don't expect it too anytime soon.
LT: Jordan Morgan, Sam Langi, Joseph Borjon
LG: Josh Donovan, Leif Magnuson, JT Hand
C: Josh Baker, JT Hand
RG: Jonah Savaiinaea, Leif Magnuson, JT Hand
RT: Paiton Fears, Sam Langi, Woody Jean
Breakdown - Last season you could argue that the offensive line was perhaps the worst line in program history or at least in recent memory, especially early during the season. However, it was a group that was riddled with injuries and even got better as the season progressed.
Things seem to be trending in a positive direction for the group and the starters haven't changed since midway through spring ball. The biggest addition to the group is Savaiinaea, who has gone from 340 pounds to 328 in a matter of months working with the training staff and has looked the part of a cornerstone player for years to come.
Now, Although I think the starting unit will be drastically improved from 2021, the depth of the line has some holes in it and those holes are on the edge. The middle of the line for the second team are three guys that have gotten starting experience last season, but on the edge, there aren't many in-game snaps there.
The depth of the tackles is a major issue for Arizona if it gets into any injury situations. Right now, I think Langi be used on both tackles spots if anyone goes down. Remember, he is a guard first, but they have been teaching him tackle for this situation in mind.
Defense (4-2-5)
DE: Jalen Harris, Paris Shand or JB Brown
DT: Kyon Barrs, Paris Shand or Dion Wilson Jr.
DT: Tiaoalii Savea, JB Brown or Dion Wilson Jr., Paris Shand
CAT: Hunter Echols, Russell Davis
Breakdown - This is one of the deepest defensive lines the Wildcats have had in a very long time, they have size, strength and speed while going a legitimate seven deep. I think the staff will rotate those seven guys throughout not only a game, but in the middle of drives so that they can keep players fresh and ready for the fourth quarter.
Although I think they are seven deep, the Wildcats do have players like walk-on Jacob Kongaika and Evan Branch-Haynes, who have seen some snaps with the first-team defense. I think they will be used as "break glass" guys as they continue to develop their game.
The player to watch on the depth chart is Russell Davis, who has jumped into the rotation over the last week of camp and the staff is starting to start Davis in unique packages with five-down defensive linemen. He is highly impressive and will be a legit starter for the Wildcats in the future.
MIKE: Jerry Roberts, Malik Reed or Kolbe Cage
WILL: Kolbe Cage, Malik Reed, Ammon Allen
Breakdown - I do think there is more talent at the linebacking position than originally thought of at the start of training camp and the staff has talked about adding the SAM position for a 4-3 defensive look in certain situations. right now, Roberts is the only lock to start and is the best linebacker of the bunch.
As for the WILL position, well, it has changed again and right now, it is Kolbe Cage starting ahead of Malik Reed on the first-team defense. I really can't figure this spot out; it seems like it changes every other practice. That is not the best sign for Arizona, but again I think they have talent there, but it is very young and isn't fully ready yet.
The Wildcats have a solid four linebackers that they can rely upon and trust to put into game situations. After that, you have guys that need time to develop and work on their game.
