Name: Rhett Rodriguez
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165 pounds
Hometown (high school): Tucson (Catalina Foothills)
Rating: Two stars
Other offers: None
2016 stats: 2,887 passing yards, 486 rushing yards, 43 total touchdowns with three interceptions
Who he is: The son of UA coach Rich Rodriguez and one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Southern Arizona history. Rodriguez started all four years and guided Catalina Foothills to its first-ever state title appearance, before falling to Scottsdale Saguaro.
How he fits: Rodriguez becomes vital to Arizona’s quarterback depth chart following Braxton Burmeister’s flip to Oregon and Anu Solomon’s transfer to Baylor.
At times last year, Arizona was down to a true freshman (Khalil Tate), a walk-on (Zach Werlinger) and a third-string tight end (Matt Morin) at quarterback. Rodriguez will be the only scholarship quarterback behind Tate and Brandon Dawkins. If nothing else, Rodriguez adds a high football IQ and knowledge of his father’s offensive system.
He said it: “It’s just really cool, just because I know the coaching staff and a lot of the players and I just know so much about this program. … Playing for my dad is something I’ve always thought about and it’s just awesome to see that it’ll come true.” — Rodriguez
