Spring ball is about to kick into high gear for the Arizona Wildcats. After six days off starting last Sunday, the Wildcats practice four times in six days.
Three practices in, we’ve got some news – and views:
News: Redshirt-freshman tight end Brion Anduze will miss the rest of spring and possibly the 2016 season because of a knee injury.
Views: This has been the biggest bummer of spring by far. As I’ve noted previously (see second item), the coaches had high hopes for Anduze. The injury was fluky and, frankly, grotesque. Anduze is scheduled to have surgery soon, and his status for the season is unknown. If Anduze is unable to return, Arizona would be down to four tight ends: fifth-year seniors Josh Kern and Matt Morin; redshirt sophomore Trevor Wood (who’s coming off a shoulder injury that kept him out all of last season); and freshman Jamie Nunley. Not that tight ends have had much of a role in Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. Kern had the most receptions among tight ends last season with … eight. Only one other tight end caught a pass: Darrell Cloy Jr., who’s now playing defensive end. “We all know that incorporating the tight end into the throw game and run game gives us an advantage. We’re all for that,” said tight ends coach Charlie Ragle, who obviously has a vested interest in getting his group more involved. “Guys have got to be able to produce on Saturdays at a high level for us to do that.”
News: Offensive lineman Freddie Tagaloa exits Saturday’s practice on crutches.
Views: You never want to panic in mid-February over what could be a minor injury, but the fact that Tagaloa needed crutches wasn’t exactly a good sign. I noticed it after we spoke to Rodriguez, so I didn’t have a chance to ask him about it. Not that RichRod would have gone into great detail; he reacts to injury questions as if you're inquiring about “Fight Club.” The last time I saw Tagaloa before spring practice was during Arizona’s prep for the New Mexico Bowl. He was running up and down a steep hill adjacent to University Stadium in Albuquerque. Watching him repeatedly ascend that hill, you wouldn’t have thought he’d miss any time this spring. However, best I can tell, he has yet to participate in on-field reps. Tagaloa arrived in Tucson with great fanfare. After an injury-riddled 2015 season during which he got bumped from left tackle to left guard – and, apparently, further knee issues now – it’s safe to say he hasn’t lived up to the hype. If he can get right, Tagaloa still can make a positive impact for the Wildcats. But as a fifth-year senior, Tagaloa's time is running out.
News: Rodriguez says Iowa transfer John Kenny has a chance to help the team at linebacker.
Views: New guy that I am, I hadn’t considered Kenny as potentially part of the linebacker mix. It still might be premature to make that statement. But, at the very least, he’s a name to consider. “He’s learning,” Rodriguez said. “I’m anxious to see what he can do. It’s a fresh start for John. He’s a pretty good football player. It’s early. I can’t really tell you who (has) stood out defensively. But he’s got a chance to help us.” Kenny, a redshirt junior, is listed at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. He was a three-star recruit in the class of 2013. Like current Arizona teammate Jamardre Cobb, Kenny began his college career as a linebacker, moved to fullback and is transitioning back to linebacker again this year. He caught four passes for 27 yards as a fullback for the Hawkeyes in 2014 before sitting out last season. The search for Scooby Wright’s successor is ongoing and somewhat muddled with Cody Ippolito and Jake Matthews still on the mend from major injuries.
News: Pro Football Focus ranks Wright as the 23rd-best prospect in the 2016 draft class.
Views: Wright continues to get more love from PFF than any other source. Here’s what the website – which is known for its unique player grading system and previously placed Wright in a first-round mock draft – had to say about Scooby: “Few linebackers possess Wright’s instincts and block-shedding ability, and he looks like a plus run defender in the NFL if he’s healthy. The question for Wright is his athleticism in space, but we’ve seen other linebackers stay productive with similar concerns.” I had a chance to speak to Wright for a preview of the NFL scouting combine that will run later this week. (Players start arriving Tuesday, and on-field drills go through next Monday.) From what I’ve gathered about his workouts, he just might surprise some people in Indianapolis.
