Quick hitters from Arizonaβs post-practice media availability Wednesday morning:
* Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez went in-depth about depth today. The positions he feels best about in that regard: running back, tight end and quarterback. His biggest depth concerns: both lines and linebacker. Wide receiver falls somewhere in the middle. I'd add cornerback to the list of positions where depth is questionable.
* Rodriguez acknowledged that Arizonaβs base defense will feature three safeties. Essentially, the βnewβ defense will be hybrid of old and new schemes.
* Rodriguez said he'd like to rotate six safeties but that the Wildcats arenβt quite there yet: "We'll play at least five,β he said. My guess as to those five: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Tellas Jones, Anthony Mariscal, Jarvis McCall Jr. and Isaiah Hayes. Rodrigues said he likes the safetiesβ ability but is worried about their inexperience.
* Regarding freshmen in general, Rodriguez said the following: "This year weβll play a few freshmen. Next year weβll probably play even more, just judging on the way the recruiting class is going."
* Rodriguez said βmostβ of the freshmen who enrolled in January will redshirt this season. Seven players fall into that category: Hayes, quarterback Khalil Tate, tight end Jamie Nunley, linebacker Kahi Neves, cornerback Antonio Parks and offensive linemen Keenan Walker and Harper Sherman.
* Rodriguez on the learning curve for the defense: "Itβs going to be a work in progress. Itβs all new. Itβs like everybodyβs a freshman in the system."
* BYU on Tuesday named Taysom Hill its starting quarterback. Said Rodriguez: "I thought Taysom Hill was one of the best in the country when he was healthy."
* Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates faced BYU each of past two seasons while at Boise State. Hill missed both games.
* Rodriguez said redshirt junior DeAndre' Miller is the best pass rusher among Arizona's linebackers. To improve his pass-rush skills, Miller has been studying film of Von Miller, Khalil Mack, DeMarcus WareΒ and Dwight Freeney. Iβll have more on DeAndreβ Miller later today.
* Rodriguez said no final decisions have been made at kicker/punter. He said Josh Pollack has been the most consistent at both. My best guess: Pollack handles placements and punts, while newcomer Edgar Gastelum kicks off.
* Although quarterbacks technically are protected if they slide feet first, Rodriguez said he prefers that his QBs go head first. "Feet first, youβre still a little bit vulnerable,β he said. Anu Solomon suffered a concussion vs. Utah last season while sliding feet first.
* The Wildcats are scheduled to practice Thursday, Friday and Sunday with no media availability. The Thursday-evening workout will be open to UA students.
