We finally got to meet some of the Arizona Wildcats’ much-ballyhooed freshman recently. Now you can too.
Over the next several weekdays, Star reporters Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt will bring you a Q&A with a different newcomer.
Today's subject: cornerback Tony Wallace, who’s listed as the No. 2 field corner for Saturday’s opener against Northern Arizona.
BIO BASICS
- Height/weight: 5-10, 184
- Position: Cornerback
- High school: Desert Pines (Las Vegas)
- Rating: 3 stars
Tony says …
On his approach to the game: “Coming in as a freshman, you don’t know much. You have to listen. You don’t listen, you’re going to constantly mess up. That’s not what I want. I ask questions. I get involved. I keep myself motivated.”
On why he didn’t play football as a sophomore or junior in high school: “Bad grades. I just didn’t want to play football. It took me a while to realize football is really all I have. I took it more seriously going into my senior year. (Before) I really didn’t go to class. I was barely in school.”
On what changed: “Just realizing I had a lot of people depending on me. People constantly were telling me that I could be good in football, great in football, and that I should take it more seriously – I could actually go far with it. That motivated me a lot.”
On how he made up ground academically entering his senior year: “I had to take six summer classes. I didn’t get to enjoy my summer at all. I was just constantly doing work. Summer-school classes, online classes, whatever I had to do to get my grades up so I could play my senior year. It was tough. At some points I wanted to give up. But I had people pushing me to keep going. That helped me.”
On his relationship with DB coaches Jahmile Addae and Marcel Yates: “Two cool dudes. If I need anything, I’m sure they’ll help me with it. They really see a lot of potential in me. I’m trying not to let them down. I hope to make the best out of this season and make them proud.”
Previous newcomer Q&As
