Arizona kicked off its fall camp on Thursday night at the Kindall/Sancet practice fields. The full practice was open to the media.
Here are some quick hits from the day's availability.
- Anu Solomon is locked in a battle to start at quarterback with Brandon Dawkins, but don't expect UA coach Rich Rodriguez to announce the winner anytime soon.
"What time’s the (BYU) game?" he said. "7:30? I’d say about 7:29, I’ll have a decision. I might tell him at 7:25." - Solomon was asked what he needs to do to avoid the injury problems that plagued him last season, mostly in the concussion department. His response: "Really, toughen up. I thought I could've pushed through those two concussions. Really, people say I can't have it in my mind like that. I've been getting concussions since I was in the third grade, but I guess it's a different world."
- Offensive lineman Keenan Walker is not presently with the team. Rodriguez said it's partly for health reasons, part discplinary, the latter stemming from Walker's July arrest in Scottsdale for assault. The freshman offensive lineman isn't currently a part of Arizona's 105-man roster and his return date is unclear.
- Freshman linebacker Kahi Neves wasn't at practice, as he has to finish up some academic work. He's expected back on Saturday or Monday. Linebacker John Kenny was also absent to attend a funeral.
- Offensive lineman Freddie Tagaloa, who missed much of last season battling injuries, said he's feeling "good. Getting there, have to get back into movements. Felt like I was shaking off a little bit of rust today."
- Rodriguez said the Wildcats are pushing the NCAA to make a decision on the eligibility of South Florida transfer Zach Benjamin. The receiver is transferring to the Wildcats as a walk-on, paying his own way, so Rodriguez is appealing to the NCAA to let him play right away as opposed to sitting out a full season. Benjamin, listed at 6-4, made a few acrobatic catches at the sideline on Thursday.
"I think it’s ridiculous that he walks on here and we have to go through an appeal process to see him get eligible, because if he’s eligible he’ll probably help us." - Former walk-on linebacker Tre Tyler is no longer with the team. As a redshirt freshman last year, Tyler was forced to start at inside linebacker as the Wildcats dealt with a number of injuries at the position.
