Quick hits from Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez’s Wednesday news conference previewing spring practice, which begins Friday:
- Rodriguez said running back Nick Wilson is about 85 percent healthy. Wilson missed the end of the 2015 season because of a knee sprain. He generally will be held out of “live” contact work in spring.
- Rodriguez said junior Tyrell Johnson “is going to play a lot more running back than he did previously.” Johnson, who was plagued by injuries last season, mainly has served as a slot receiver and return specialist. Arizona’s numbers at running back are a little low.
- Rodriguez said Arizona enters this year with “more question marks since maybe our first year here.” Most of those are on defense. The Wildcats also need to replace both specialists.
- Rodriguez said he felt bad for defensive lineman Sharif Williams, who had to medically retire because of a chronic knee injury. The UA will honor his scholarship.
- A reporter asked if this spring is “pivotal” for Arizona. Rodriguez wouldn't go that far, again emphasizing the importance of fundamentals and techniques and saying no jobs would be decided in spring.
- But these next 15 practices are important for young players and veterans trying to launch their careers. One such player is redshirt sophomore Jamardre Cobb, a former four-star recruit moving back to linebacker from fullback.
- Rodriguez said he wasn't looking for a specific scheme during his search for a defensive coordinator. He wanted someone who was flexible and open to new ideas, and that’s part of the reason he chose Marcel Yates for the job.
- Neither Rodriguez nor Yates would specify the system Arizona will run. Rodriguez said the 3-3-5 is a good scheme but that it’s no longer new or different, prompting the need for adjustments. He said Arizona sent four or five rushers more often than it sent three last season.
- Although Arizona needs to implement a new defensive scheme, Rodriguez said that process would happen "further down the list" – later in spring and during summer meetings.
- Rodriguez said he'd give Yates "parameters" for what he wants defensively and will stick his head in meeting rooms from time to time. But Rodriguez won't call the defense or teach the scheme. That’ll be up to Yates and his staff.
- Rodriguez has great faith in new safeties coach Jahmile Addae going back to his first career start as a West Virginia freshman at No. 1 Miami in 2002.
- Rodriguez said junior Cam Denson wanted to move from cornerback to receiver, that Arizona has bigger needs there and “we feel he can make a bigger impact” at that position.
- Rodriguez said moving Darrell Cloy Jr. from tight end to defensive end was basically a mutual decision. “If it works out great, it was my idea,” Rodriguez said, smiling. “If it doesn't, it was his.”
- Rodriguez joked that son Rhett Rodriguez, a high school quarterback who has committed to Arizona, “makes an unofficial visit every day” and that they're “in a contact period every night” at home. Arizona is not in danger of violating NCAA rules in this case because the two have a “pre-existing established relationship” that predates high school.
- Arizona football newcomers’ numbers are as follows: QB Khalil Tate No. 14; FS Isaiah Hayes No. 21; OT Keenan Walker No. 63; OT Harper Sherman No. 77; and TE Jamie Nunley No. 85.
- New numbers for returning Arizona players: TE Trevor Wood No. 8; WR Nate Phillips No. 11; WR Shun Brown No. 16; Cobb No. 30; and Cloy No. 55.
