Filling in for Michael Lev, here are some quick hits from Arizona's 7th spring practice on Tuesday night
- Rich Rodriguez said even though DaVonte' Neal was a starter in 2015, he's not necessarily a lock to start this upcoming season. Regardless, that won't be decided until the fall. "It's wide-open," Rodriguez said.
- As for the cornerback position in general, Rodriguez said he wants to have, at minimum, a four-man rotation at corner. "We struggled with that at times last year," he said, "but we've got to find at least four."
- Jarvis McCall was moved from cornerback to safety recently to combat a lack of able bodies at the position this spring. Will Parks, Jamar Allah and Anthony Lopez are gone, and Tellas Jones is out as he deals with a legal issue. About the 6-foot-2 McCall, Rodriguez said "he’s built like (a safety), he’s a physical guy. So I think it’s a good move...so far I think the move's been pretty good.
- Rodriguez said Arizona’s open practice on Friday — originally scheduled as a spring game, a plan Rodriguez scrapped in favor of a more traditional practice — will still be fun and “interactive” for the fans who attend with some “contests and challenges” for the fans. The practice will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
- Athlon Sports recently named Rodriguez and UA basketball coach Sean Miller as the best football-basketball coaching tandem in the Pac-12, just ahead of Utah, Oregon, UCLA and Stanford, respectively. Rodriguez credited Miller for the feat. “Send it to Greg Byrne,” Rodriguez said, smiling. “It’s good. I know I’m there because Sean is one of the best in the country. So, thanks Sean Miller.”
