OK, let’s get back to it – the countdown of the 10 most valuable Arizona Wildcats of 2018 besides the incredibly obvious No. 1 choice.
You won’t find junior quarterback Khalil Tate on this list, because, well, who else possibly could rank atop it?
Before we resume the countdown, two quick reminders:
- “Most valuable” does not necessarily mean “best.” Rather, we’re defining it as the contributions and traits that most influence winning football. They include talent, leadership and projected role and production.
- Newcomers were not eligible. Even though freshmen played a huge role on last year’s team, it’s just too hard to predict who will have an immediate impact before training camp gets underway.
NO. 6: C NATHAN ELDRIDGE
Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-3, 297, redshirt junior
Comment: Eldridge has started every game the past two seasons – 25 straight – since being thrust into the lineup in August 2016 under tragic circumstances.
He faced a steep learning curve in ’16. He improved in ’17. He enters ’18 as one of Arizona’s most reliable returning veterans.
Yet there’s also an air of uncertainty surrounding Eldridge.
The Wildcats held two open scrimmages during spring practice. Eldridge did not participate in either of them.
The reason given for Eldridge’s absence, per a team source, basically amounted to veteran maintenance. Eldridge just so happens to have one of those bodies that requires extra management to ensure he’s ready for the rigors of a long, physically taxing season.
Eldridge was spotted exiting the practice field and/or locker room a handful of times. Invariably, he had ice packs on his knees. That isn’t unusual.
Is Eldridge’s health a genuine cause for concern? Probably not. Is it at least a little bit worrisome? Maybe.
With their offensive line already in a state of flux, not having Eldridge for any period of time is the last thing the Wildcats need. He is one of only two returning full-time starters up front, and the other one, left tackle Layth Friekh, must sit out the first two games because of an NCAA ruling.
Although he had a full season of starts on his résumé, Eldridge was hardly Arizona’s most seasoned lineman last year. He had two experienced, intelligent upperclassmen flanking him at all times: Jacob Alsadek to his right and Christian Boettcher to his left.
Now Eldridge is the one who has to play that leadership role. The first-team guards in the open practices were Michael Eletise and Bryson Cain. Both will be redshirt sophomores this season. Neither has started a college game.
The primary fill-in for Eldridge in those scrimmages was redshirt junior Alex Kosinski – who also doesn’t have any career starts. See where we’re (possibly) going here?
The Friekh situation will make putting together a “best five” that much more challenging. It becomes slightly easier if Eldridge is healthy and available.
Other interior alternatives include Josh McCauley and Jon Jacobs, a couple of walk-ons who’ve earned praise from the previous coaching staff and this one; JC transfer Steven Bailey; and Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel, if he’s deemed eligible for this season.
None of those options is as appealing, or reassuring, as a healthy Eldridge, who made huge strides with the mental part of his game last year. Eldridge’s acumen will be especially important this year with a new offensive system in place. Everyone will be learning on the fly.
For the Wildcats to be all they can be – and for Tate to be all he can be – the offensive line must come together. And it must come together quickly. As we all know, Houston – featuring supreme interior disruptor Ed Oliver – is looming in Week 2.
No position plays a bigger role in that gelling process than center. As such, no player matters more than Eldridge.
10 MOST VALUABLE CATS (BESIDES KHALIL TATE)
