Arizona Wildcats QB Khalil Tate will know what to expect next time

While other teams get ready for bowl games, the Arizona Wildcats are preparing for next year.

Its season cut short, Arizona began offseason workouts just days after the Nov. 25 finale.

Despite a 3-9 record, the Wildcats have plenty of intriguing characters. We’ll profile some of them in this space.

Our first Q&A is with freshman quarterback Khalil Tate, who played a larger-than-expected role in 2016 – and will be given every opportunity to win the starting job in ’17.

How would you sum up your freshman year? How did it go?

A: “I learned a lot. Very helpful to get to be in certain situations, travel certain places, just to get prepared for next year. Not playing a lot, but playing enough to where I (could) grasp what could happen next time if I was in the same exact situation.”

You said you learned a lot. What’s the biggest lesson you took away?

A: “Just game-time experience. Actually being on the field. If I was just on the sideline, the next year, first game, it’s different. Now I’m going into next season knowing what’s expected, knowing what I have to do, knowing a lot more.”

A lot of people were opposed to Arizona burning your redshirt. You seem to be on the other side of the fence, that it was beneficial for you.

A: “It was very beneficial. Like I said, game-time experience was important. Basketball, football, baseball, anytime you play, you don’t have to be a big factor, (but) as long as you’re in the game you get the feel for it. Next time you’ll be even better because you were a rookie the first time.”

Do you wish you had played more after the redshirt was lifted?

A: “It didn’t matter. I’m in God’s hands. Whatever He wants me to do, I’m going to do it. I’m not going to fight or get frustrated. I’m just blessed to be here. I can’t complain at all.”

You performed well in relief against UCLA and Utah. You struggled against USC. What was the difference?

A: “Not being as comfortable as I was in those games. It was my first start. I expected myself to do way better than I did. It was against a pretty good, up-and-coming USC team. It’s not like it was a weaker opponent to where the flaws went unnoticed. All the flaws were seen. That helped a lot, though, because I know next time what to expect.”

Did you put more pressure on yourself that day compared to when you came off the bench?

A: “It wasn’t really pressure. People knew I was going to play, so they game-planned. UCLA and Utah, they didn’t know if I was going to play or not. USC, they game-planned for (me). It was something they were probably waiting on all week. They knew what to do.”

What did you learn from being around two veteran quarterbacks in Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins?

A: “From Anu, I just learned to take a lot more things seriously. Be more calm. See things fully instead of just making a decision. Just relaxing. From Brandon, have fun. I already have fun. But have more fun. The team (vibes) off you. If you’re down, they’re going to be down. If you’re happy at all times, the team should be happy.”

When you start doing football-specific work again, what are some of the areas you really need to work on to improve your game?

A: “I would say decision-making, and that comes from learning more of the playbook. You can never know too much of the playbook. You can always learn something new about it. Decision-making will come easier. I wouldn’t be thinking on the fly. I would know what’s going on.”

What’s the message from the coaches about the QB competition heading into the offseason?

A: “The coaches aren’t going to say (anything) because it’s always open. They don’t have to say it’s an open competition. Everybody knows that. You’ve just got to keep working hard.”

So what’s your approach then?

A: “Work on the little things. Footwork. Decision-making. That comes with reps. Getting more live reps with the ones and twos. This past season I was with the threes a lot, so there weren’t a whole lot of reps.”

Are you concerned at all that Arizona is adding two more quarterbacks to compete for the job?

A: “That doesn’t really make a difference to me. I’ve never really been the type to care about who’s coming, who’s there. If that was the point, I wouldn’t have come here. Every school you go to, there’s going to be somebody coming in. It’s about yourself.”

You lost only a handful of games your entire high school career. What was it like to go through a nine-loss season?

A: “Different. I think it was a great experience. I feel like in life you’ve got to experience the lows in order to be successful. If you’re just winning all the time … you’re not learning. You’re always up here. You’re never down here. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the season, but it was helpful because I got to learn about myself, how I react to things.”

Why do you think Arizona will be better next season?

A: “We’re going to use this year as motivation for next year. Nobody wants to lose nine games. It’s not fun. It’s not something that you want to happen, it’s not something you want to be a part of.”