TEMPE β In a span of less than 24 hours, the Arizona Wildcats uplifted their operation from Tucson, due to inclement weather, and moved up to the valley for two days of practice at the Arizona Cardinals' training facility.
The Wildcats spoke to the media in Tucson on Wednesday morning before heading up the I-10, and then again following practice at the Cardinals' facilities. The first 20 minutes of practice were open to the media as well.Β
This was Arizona's first full practice since the team was informed of offensive linemanΒ Zach Hemmila's death on Monday morning.Β
Here are some quick hits from today's availability
*The Cardinals painted an end zone on one of their practice fields with "ARIZONA" in UA colors. There was also a banner that read "Bear Down" and another with "football is family" above the Cardinals and Wildcats logos. "First class, all the way," UA coach Rich Rodriguez said of the Cardinals' hospitality.Β
*The Wildcats started Wednesday's practice in the Cardinals' indoor practice bubble before relocating outside to the field area. This was Arizona's first practice in pads. Arizona planned to have a "nice dinner" and then take a trip to Dave & Buster's after practice.Β
*About getting back to practice, Rodriguez said "we needed that...it's better being busy." He also said the "intensity, effort and enthusiasm" was good, but probably better while the team practiced indoors as opposed it when it moved outside.Β
*During board drills β when an offensive and defensive player each face off one-on-on β tight endΒ Jamie Nunley was a standout, winning all of his battles, including one against linebackerΒ Carrington Vaughn. Nunley, a freshman, is a big body, listed at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds. He was recruited as part of the 2015 class but grayshirted last year.Β
*The Wildcats conducted what they call a "W drill" wherein a running back has to get through three levels of defenders, including a lineman, linebacker and defensive back, each paired up with a blocker.Β J.J. Taylor was a stand-out here, as the freshman showed speed and quick feet as defenders struggled to bring him down at multiple occasions. The freshman running back is listed at just 5-foot-6 and 155 pounds.Β
*During the early portion of practice when the team was indoors, sophomore receiver Tony Ellison was working out with trainers at one of the outside fields. Also, offensive lineman Christian Boettcher, battling with Freddie Tagaloa to start at left guard, wore a yellow jersey, indicating he was "limited".
*Freshman linebackerΒ Kahi NevesΒ returned to practice this week after sitting out the first few practices as he dealt with a class-related issue. Neves wasn't in full pads yet, per NCAA rules, as he hadn't practiced enough yet without pads.
*UA will practice twice on Thursday, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, before heading back to Tucson. The Wildcats will practice in Tucson on Friday morning and will head out to Fort Huachuca on Friday night for a Saturday morning practice, returning to Tucson again on Sunday.Β
*There will be a viewing for Hemmila, who died in his sleep earlier this week, from 4-7 p.m. at Pius X Catholic Church. It's open to the public. Hemmila's funeral on Friday will be closed to the public.Β
