DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning starters: RS SR DaVonte’ Neal (CB), RS SR Tellas Jones (S)
Also returning: RS JR Dane Cruickshank (CB), SO Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (S), SR Devin Holiday (CB), RS FR Anthony Mariscal (S), JR Kwesi Mashack (S), RS JR Jarvis McCall Jr. (S), SO Sammy Morrison (CB), SO Jace Whittaker (CB)
Newcomers: FR Lorenzo Burns (CB), FR Tristan Cooper (S), FR Isaiah Hayes (S), FR Antonio Parks (CB), FR Gavin Robertson (S), FR Jarrius Wallace (S), FR Chacho Ulloa (S)
Burning question: Who will step up to fill the leadership and playmaking voids left by the departure of Will Parks?
This is just as big a challenge as replacing Scooby Wright – maybe even more so because, unlike Wright, Parks played the entire season last year.
He didn’t spend that time idly. Parks led Arizona in tackles (76), pass breakups (seven) and forced fumbles (two). He tied for third in tackles for losses (seven).
Parks’ production, stellar workouts and impressive interviews helped make him the highest-drafted Wildcat; Parks went to the Denver Broncos in the sixth round.
The most logical candidate to fill the playmaking void is Jones, who matched Parks with seven TFLs – including three sacks – in two fewer games. Jones had 55 total tackles, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.
The leadership part is less certain. Jones was suspended for the opener last year because of a violation of team rules. He then sat out all of spring practice after a traffic stop on Super Bowl Sunday.
Jones eventually pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges: speeding and possession of marijuana. UA coach Rich Rodriguez said during Pac-12 Media Days that Jones has been reinstated. The hope is that he has learned his lesson and will stay on the straight and narrow throughout his senior season.
If not, Arizona has several other intriguing options. None, however, has as much experience as Jones.
The promising young players including Flannigan-Fowles and Mariscal, a pair of second-year guys who could end up starting. (I’m operating under the assumption that Arizona will continue to use five defensive backs the majority of the time, regardless of what the rest of the defense looks like.)
Flannigan-Fowles surprised as a freshman, earning playing time on defense and special teams. He finished with 28 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. He has excellent size at 6-2, 199.
After redshirting as a freshman, Mariscal earned praise for his work ethic and dedication during spring. Regardless of whether he starts, Mariscal should have a meaty role.
Arizona moved Mashack and McCall from cornerback to safety during spring and is adding five freshmen at what we presume to be three safety spots. As many as four 2017 commits could play safety as well.
Clearly the position is important in new defensive coordinator Marcel Yates’ scheme. At Boise State, Yates helped develop Darian Thompson, whom the New York Giants selected in the third round of the 2016 draft. Thompson had a monster senior season for Boise, including 65 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and five interceptions.
Yates has quantity at his disposal at Arizona. Whether he has that type of quality remains to be seen.
