The 2017 season is still playing out, but the Star's Michael Lev is already taking a look at Arizona's 22 starters for next year.
The UA's 2017 season may not be over yet — the Wildcats play Purdue in the Dec. 27 Foster Farms Bowl — but the excitement for next year is already building. Star quarterback Khalil Tate will return for his junior season, J.J. Taylor will complement him in the backfield, and a young defense will (presumably) continue to develop.
Here's Star reporter Michael Lev's way-too-early predictions for Arizona's 2018 starters on both offense and defense:
Finding a coach who can help Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate succeed might be just as important as hiring someone who will guide the Wildcats over the long run.
Quarterback: Khalil Tate (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Tate will be asked to replicate his impressive 2017 campaign. Tate has rushed for 1,353 yards and 12 touchdowns and thrown for 1,289 yards and nine scores in 10 games, and should add to those numbers in the bowl game.
Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor (21) sizes up Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back J'Marcus Rhodes (17) on a run during the first quarter of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State University Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup college football game on Nov. 25, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 42-30.
Running back: J.J. Taylor
2018 role: Taylor is expected to see an even larger role with Nick Wilson gone. Taylor rushed for 828 yards on 136 carries in the 2017 regular season, most among UA backs.
Layth Friekh.
Left tackle: Layth Friekh (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: The NCAA granted Friekh a hardship, allowing him to play in 2018 after sitting out the first two games. Friekh should anchor a re-tooled offensive line after the Wildcats led the Pac-12 in rushing.
Arizona guard Michael Eletise (75) should be in line for a much bigger role this season after playing as a reserve in 2017.
Left guard: Michael Eletise
2018 role: Eletise is expected to step in as a redshirt sophomore. Once a highly touted recruit from Honolulu, Eletise redshirted in 2016 and saw spot duty at guard in 2017.
A jovial Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) hops onto his offensive lineman Nathan Eldridge (64) before the first half of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. USC Trojans college football game on Oct. 15, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Center: Nathan Eldridge (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Eldridge will look to continue to grow in what will be his third straight season as the Wildcats' starting center.
Alex Kosinski, University of Arizona football team, 2016-17.
Center: Alex Kosinski
2018 role: Kosinski should slot into a starting guard spot following the departure of starters Jacob Alsadek and Christian Boettcher. Kosinski will be a redshirt junior in 2018.
Thiyo Lukusa
Right tackle: Tshiyombu Lukusa
2018 role: Lukusa, a transfer from Michigan State, has impressed in practices. Expect him to be a critical part of the Cats' line as a redshirt sophomore.
Arizona Wildcats tight end Bryce Wolma (81) sidesteps a tackle from Washington State Cougars cornerback Darrien Molton (3) with blocking help from safety Scottie Young Jr. (19).
Tight end: Bryce Wolma (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Wolma is expected to start for a second consecutive season. Wolma caught 29 passes for 241 yards and two scores as a true freshman, numbers that should grow during the bowl game.
Wide receiver: Shun Brown (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Brown currently leads the Wildcats in catches (39), receiving yards (511) and receiving touchdowns (five). He should continue to shine on offense and in special teams as a senior.
Arizona receiver Shawn Poindexter will be back next season after the NCAA granted him an additional year of eligibility.
Wide receiver: Shawn Poindexter (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: The NCAA granted Poindexter an extra year of eligibility, giving the Wildcats' only big receiver a chance to develop into a pro prospect. Poindexter caught 14 passes for 223 yards in 12 regular-season games this year.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tony Ellison (9) leans out for a long catch during the second quarter of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 15 Washington State Cougars college football game at Arizona Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Wide receiver: Tony Ellison
2018 role: Ellison finally carved out a role as a redshirt junior, catching 33 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns. He'll continue to compete for snaps at slot receiver next season.
UA’s Justin Belknap said members of his family were thinking about attending the concert where 58 people were killed when a gunman fired into the crowd Sunday night. They changed their minds because they had to work the next morning.
Defensive tackle: Justin Belknap (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Belknap will try to improve on his 2017 numbers, which include 22 tackles (and counting) and 3 1/2 sacks. Belknap will be a redshirt junior next year.
Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Dereck Boles (99) pressures Washington State Cougars quarterback Tyler Hilinski (3) during the second.
Nose tackle: Dereck Boles (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: The Boise State transfer has been a relevation as a junior, giving the Cats some much-needed size on the defensive line. He'll look to improve on his 2017 numbers during his final season in the program.
Arizona redshirt sophomore Finton Connolly, trying to knock down a pass from UCLA’s Josh Rosen, could start on defense along with senior Parker Zellers. Connolly, who played at Campo Verde High in Gilbert, has never started but has been a regular in the rotation.
Defensive tackle: Finton Connolly
2018 role: Connolly was a rotation player during his redshirt sophomore season, but should see more time following the departure of Parker Zellers and Luca Bruno.
Colin Schooler (7), who had 13.5 tackles for losses, was named the Pac-12’s Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Middle linebacker: Colin Schooler (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Schooler was the Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year in 2017, and should only improve as he gets bigger and more experienced. Schooler had 88 tackles, 13 1/2 tackles-for loss and two interceptions during the regular season, and should get even more in the bowl game.
Arizona linebacker Tony Fields II, right, sacks Colorado quarterback Steven Montez in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Weakside linebacker: Tony Fields II (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Fields, a freshman, is Arizona's leading tackler (91) heading into the bowl game. He and Schooler will be among the team's defensive strengths next season.
Arizona defensive end Kylan Wilborn (14) comes in to flush Oregon State quarterback Darell Garretson (10) and aid in a fourth quarter sack at Arizona Stadium, Saturday November 11, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
STUD: Kylan Wilborn (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Wilborn has been a pass-rushing force for the UA as a freshman, registering a team-high 7 1/2 sacks (and counting). He'll be expected to do even more as a sophomore.
Arizona safety Tristan Cooper (31) can't quite come up with the shoestring tackle on UCLA running back Brandon Stephens (20) in the third quarter of their Pac-12 game at Arizona Stadium, Saturday, October 14, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
SPUR: Tristan Cooper
2018 role: Cooper has just five tackles this season, but could see more playing time next year following the departure of starter Dane Cruikshank.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and the Wildcats will get the gift of playing in a bowl game this year when they take on Purdue on Dec. 27 in Santa Clara, Calif. The bid to the Foster Farms Bowl will help erase some of the bad taste of having to stay home last season.
BANDIT: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Fowles will try to wrap his college career on a position note following an up-and-down junior. Flannigan-Fowles, a Mountain View High School product, ranks third on the team with 78 tackles and has intercepted three passes heading into the bowl game.
Three-star safety Scottie Young Jr. committed to the UA after other four-stars jumped on board.
Free safety: Scottie Young Jr. (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Young suffered a knee injury midway through his freshman season, slowing his progress. He should play more — and make more plays — as he grows.
Cornerback: Jace Whittaker (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Whittaker enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, intercepting three passes and breaking up a team-high 10 passes. He should start as a senior.
Lorenzo Burns, right, led Arizona with five interceptions last season, his first as a starter.
Cornerback: Lorenzo Burns (RETURNING STARTER)
2018 role: Burns should continue to hold off Sammy Morrison at cornerback after positing a stellar redshirt freshman season. Burns posted a team-high five interceptions and seven PBUs in the regular season.
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