Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ third spring practice and media availability Saturday:
- Redshirt-freshman tight end Brion Anduze will have knee surgery soon and will miss at least the rest of spring practice. “He may be out for the fall,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We don’t know yet.” Anduze injured his knee about halfway through the first spring workout.
- Offensive lineman Freddie Tagaloa, who's been limited because of a lingering knee injury, exited the practice field on crutches. His right knee was heavily wrapped.
- Rodriguez on freshman quarterback Khalil Tate's learning curve: "It’s like drinking water from a fire hose right now."
- The Wildcats donned pads for the first time this spring. Rodriguez like the intensity and enthusiasm with which they played. He said the team is not in game shape, resulting in some “loafs” at the end of practice. “But I’m not worried about that,” Rodriguez said. “We don’t need to be in game shape until August.”
- Rodriguez said Arizona's defensive players have to get used to “a new normal.” He wouldn’t specify what that meant. The Wildcats are learning new techniques and schemes under an entirely new defensive coaching staff.
- Rodriguez likes to have mix of size and speed at wide receiver. Trey Griffey is the only scholarship receiver taller than 6 feet on the current roster. It's an area that will be addressed in recruiting, Rodriguez said.
- Rodriguez talked ball with several prominent coaches at a Nike event in Hawaii this week, including Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, Washington’s Chris Petersen, Washington State’s Mike Leach, Oregon’s Mark Helfrich, Duke’s David Cutcliffe and North Carolina’s Larry Fedora.
- The Wildcats practiced on the grass at Sancet Field after working on the turf at Arizona Stadium last week. Construction has begun on the C.A.T.S. Academic Center, which is being built where the third-base stands used to be:
Feels great to be back at practice. As you can see, we're literally building for the future on & off the field! pic.twitter.com/kqyLnkuri0
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 20, 2016
And here are some highlights from the closed practice courtesy of the UA athletic department:
