Continuing the countdown to the start of Arizona Wildcats spring football, which is suddenly just two days away.
Weβve been addressing key topics here, in the form of questions and answers. Ground already covered: quarterbacks, linebackers and the offensive line.
For our penultimate installment, itβs back to defense.
Question No. 4: Does Arizona have enough depth at cornerback to make the secondary a true asset?
If the Wildcats improved defensively under first-year coordinator Marcel Yates, it was barely detectable from a statistical standpoint.
But there were a few bright spots, and they included the emergence of Dane Cruikshank and Jace Whittaker as starting-caliber cornerbacks.
Cruikshank and safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles were the only two defensive players to start every game last season. While still needing to improve his ball awareness, Cruikshank at least displayed the athleticism and physicality to be a Pac-12 corner in his first season on the Division I level. (Cruikshank transferred to Arizona from the junior-college ranks and redshirted in 2015.)
Whittaker became a starter halfway through the season and was unquestionably the Wildcatsβ most consistent corner. He could stand to get stronger, which would enable him to win more 50-50 battles. But as a true sophomore, Whittaker led Arizona with 11 pass breakups. Cruikshank ranked second with seven.
The only other cornerback who played regularly was DaVonteβ Neal, who lost his starting job to Whittaker. The coaches didnβt really trust anyone else β not that there were a ton of other options, aside from speedy special-teamer Malcolm Holland β so Cruikshank and Whittaker ended up playing too many snaps.
On paper, the depth will be better this season. But the top candidates to shore it up have minimal college experience, are coming off injuries β¦ or both. Spring practice is critical for all three.
The βveteranβ of the group is Sammy Morrison, who sat out last season because of a knee injury. Morrison played in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman in 2015, including two starts. If heβs healthy β and able to build on his freshman campaign β itβd be a huge boost for the cornerback corps.
Lorenzo Burns appeared to be on the brink of seizing a meaningful role last season before getting hurt. It happened early enough to preserve his redshirt. The coaches like Burnsβ athleticism and long arms. Long term, he looks like a starter. Short term, he should be able to rotate with Cruikshank and Whittaker.
The other returning scholarship corner is Antonio Parks, who redshirted as a freshman. Like many other young players on the roster, Parks can use spring practice to prove his worth.
The cornerbacks and βSpurβ safeties will have a unique opportunity to prove themselves to the boss of the defense. Yates is assuming the coaching duties at those positions after working with the linebackers last year.
No one knows better than Yates β who had coached in a bowl game for 13 straight seasons before last year β that the defenseβs performance wasnβt good enough. Arizona needs more size, more playmakers, more takeaways β and more depth.
SPRING PREVIEW SERIES
Part 1:Β The QB competition
Part 2:Β The lack of linebackers
Part 3: The promise up front
