What did we learn from the Arizona Wildcats’ open scrimmage Friday night? Here are 12 notes and takeaways from spring practice No. 9:
- As chronicled in my recap of the scrimmage, Brandon Dawkins handled the first-team reps at quarterback with Anu Solomon out because of a hamstring injury. Dawkins underthrew a couple of deep balls and said afterward that his timing was a little off. But he displayed good command of the offense and excellent athleticism as a runner. He’s headed in the right direction.
- The running back most often aligned next to Dawkins wasn’t Nick Wilson but Orlando Bradford. That was something of a surprise, given that Wilson was healthy enough to work with the second unit (and looked good doing it). Wilson was limited early in spring, so perhaps that prompted the switch. Whatever the case, Arizona will need more than one running back to get through the season and appears to have at least two starting-caliber guys.
- The best offensive play of the night came courtesy of sophomore receiver Shun Brown. Brown caught a slant pass from the left side, pivoted away from three defenders and raced past the defense for a touchdown. Despite losing three of their top four receivers, the Wildcats have more than enough wideouts to operate Rich Rodriguez’s system.
- Tight end remains a question mark. During one-on-ones, each of Arizona’s top three tight ends – Josh Kern, Matt Morin and Jamie Nunley – dropped a pass. (Trevor Wood, who definitely could crack the rotation, remains limited while recovering from a shoulder injury.) Granted, it’s an extremely small sample size. But it wasn’t a great sign.
- The starting offensive line, from left to right: Layth Friekh, Christian Boettcher, Zach Hemmila, Jacob Alsadek and Gerhard de Beer. Levi Walton was the second-team center. I counted six linemen snapping during warmups.
- The most impressive wide receiver in one-on-ones was Tony Ellison. The redshirt sophomore squared off against DaVonte’ Neal and made a diving catch in front of him and a rolling touchdown grab behind him.
- Khalil Tate looked like the freshman quarterback that he is; if his first read wasn’t open, he usually took off running. But when he did, you could see the athleticism that made him such a touted recruit. On one run he burst through the defense and split Jamardre Cobb and Albert Green en route to the end zone.
- The throwing contest among the quarterbacks was interesting. Tate eventually won it with a 72-yard heave. But he required a running start. UA alum Jerrard Randall, who was part of the QB mix last season, threw a 67-yarder from basically a flat-footed position. It was effortless. Randall clearly possesses the athletic ability to play in the NFL. The challenge is figuring out how to use it.
- The first-team defense consisted of linemen Sani Fuimaono, Parker Zellers and Justin Belknap; linebackers DeAndre’ Miller, Paul Magloire Jr. and Cody Ippolito; and defensive backs Neal, Dane Cruikshank, Jarvis McCall Jr., Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Anthony Mariscal. Magloire played what looked like an inside linebacker position. Mariscal also was near the line of scrimmage a lot, covering slot receivers.
- Miller looks like a natural rushing off the edge – quick and powerful. The 6-foot-3, 236-pound redshirt junior could be in for a big season.
- The coaches are giving Cruikshank a long look at cornerback, and it’s easy to see why. At 6-1, 204 pounds, Cruickshank has the build of a safety. He has the size and athleticism to match up with big receivers. The junior-college transfer, who redshirted last season, has positioned himself to have a sizable role.
- Josh Pollack got first crack at the placekicking duties, and he made all four of his attempts – an extra point and field goals from 30, 40 and 45 yards – with ease. Rodriguez said it was the best Pollack had kicked all spring. Challenger Ollie Graybar made 3 of 4 attempts; his 45-yarder bounded off the crossbar.
