Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Drew Dixon opts out of season

Another opt-out for the Arizona Wildcats. Except this time, the UA football player opting out wasn't a defensive back. 

Arizona redshirt junior wide receiver Drew Dixon will opt out of the 2020 season, which was confirmed by the Star on Tuesday. After missing the season opener, Dixon appeared in Arizona's previous two games at Washington and UCLA, but didn't record a catch until last Saturday, when he hauled in three passes for 46 yards in the Wildcats' 27-10 loss to the Bruins.

UA head coach Kevin Sumlin was asked in his weekly press conference on Monday if Dixon's performance last week was due to established in-practice chemistry with backup quarterback Will Pummer, who substituted for Grant Gunnell after the starter sustained a right shoulder injury. 

“There's more to it than that. (Dixon) played 70-something plays the week before. Didn't play the first game, because of some other issues. Played 70-some plays the week before and nobody knew he was on the field," Sumlin said. "Did not start the game last Saturday night. That might have something to do with his performance.”

After a breakout game, the motive for Dixon to opt out the final three contests of the season remains uncertain. 

"I made a decision that will benefit me in my career," Dixon tweeted. "Ya'll don't know me or live with me day-to-day so you're not gonna get it anyways. Thanks (to those) who do support me and my decisions." 

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The 6-foot-3-inch, 198-pound Dixon, a Tucson native and Sabino High School product, became the first UA offensive player to opt out midseason, which came in the wake of the Wildcats losing six defensive backs last week. Arizona junior safety Christian Young and cornerbacks Bobby Wolfe, Malik Hausman and McKenzie Barnes opted out but are still a part of the football program. Freshmen cornerbacks Edric Whitley and Khary Crump Jr. are permanently no longer with Arizona as of last week.

Sumlin said on Monday not all of Arizona's opt-outs are final and there's still a possibility some return to the team this season. 

“Some guys were hurt, and some guys have opted out,” Sumlin said. “We’ve had guys that have gone on social media and said that, and then you’ve seen them play the next Saturday. There’s been a lot of reactionary stuff. It’s 2020, right?

“You deal with emotions all the time in this business with young guys. It remains to be seen.”

Arizona (0-3) looks to avoid its 11th consecutive loss this week against Colorado at Arizona Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m.