Former Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon spoke recently with media who cover his new school, Baylor, and the Big 12, resulting in a pair of stories published Monday.
In them, Solomon talks about where and how things went south for him in Tucson and what the future holds in Waco, Texas.
Solomon transferred after an injury-plagued season last year that saw him miss considerable time and lose his starting job as a result. He left the UA as the fourth-leading passer in school history.
Below are some of the notable quotes from Solomon â and from his father â in the two pieces.
On leaving Arizona: âI had a great run at Arizona. Some highs and lows. A wise man once told me that itâs OK to be selfish sometimes, which is hard for me. I come from a big Polynesian family, and one part of being the oldest child is that you have to take on that parent role from a very young age when your parents arenât around because theyâre at work or whatever. If youâre selfish, thatâs not good. But I took that advice in a way that I needed to find a place that could help me take the next step in my life.â
On his final, injury-plagued, loss-filled season at the UA: âIt was depressing for me. I hate losing. Look at everywhere Iâve been, from high school, where we lost four games in four years and won state every year, to college where I was bummed that I had to redshirt the first year, because Iâm a competitor and I want to do things right away. We had a great run in 2014 to the Fiesta Bowl âĻ and the last play of the game was my fault, obviously, and a rookie mistake, and the next year I felt like my job was kind of at stake after that. And from there, it was always a competition.â
On Rodriguez not speaking to him for two weeks after the Fiesta Bowl: âItâs still kind of shocking to hear that, because he talked to me the next day. No offense, but I think with the media, it kind of turns into a game of telephone sometimes and the story just takes on a life of its own. He checked up on me the next day, because I was hit pretty hard with all of the stuff coming down from all over the country.â
Jarrett Solomon on his advice for Anu as he battled through a tough emotional time: âI said stop with all the (expletive) crying, and letâs go get this thing back to where it needs to be. Letâs get to work. Weâve been through worse, so suck it up. Whether itâs gonna be football or not, life is going to give you highs and lows.
"It doesnât help anything to cry and sit in your room and listen to âCareless Whisperâ or whatever the hell he was doing. Get up and get to work. Get stronger, get faster, train harder. Get out of your comfort zone. Since heâs been in Waco, it reminds me a lot of what he was like back in 2014, after he redshirted and was fighting to start for the first time at Arizona.â
Anu Solomon on being recruited to Baylor: âI told them I donât need to be wined and dined. I donât need to be sold, because Iâve been through the recruiting process. Iâve hosted players. I know the whole deal there. Iâm just here for business. Iâm here to win games.â
On why he picked Baylor: âAthletic and academic excellence. And they have a Raising Caneâs. Thatâs a big deal.â
On his outlook moving forward: âIâm the same guy as Day 1. No matter what I did, the past is the past. Iâm still going to be that hungry and humble kid from Hawaii â and continue to fight.â
