Watch: 7 best things Kevin Sumlin said after Arizona Wildcats' first spring practice

A new era

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

The Kevin Sumlin era began Monday evening as the Arizona Wildcats kicked off its start to the spring practice schedule. 

The Cats didn't have full contact drills and practiced in shorts and helmets, no shoulder pads.

Sumlin said after practice that he's giving every player on Arizona a "clean slate." Unfortunately for quarterback and Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate, that includes him. After a breakthrough season in 2017 contributing 3,000 all-purpose yards, Tate established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in college football.

Sumlin won't watch any tape of Tate's last season, or anyone for that matter. As of now, Tate is the starting quarterback and that won't change any time soon. As for the rest of the positions, the Wildcats return eight starters on defense, and defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who was one of two members from last year's staff to stay on board along with wide receivers coach Theron Aych.

There wasn't much to take away from Arizona's first practice, because after all, it is the first of many practices under a first-year head coach. Sumlin spoke to the media after practice, here's what he had to say. 

First impressions

Kevin Sumlin on his first spring practice at Arizona: pic.twitter.com/1REIRh9eVV

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

Can't evaluate in 90 minutes

Kevin Sumlin says the evaluation process still hasn’t happened after 90 minutes of practice time. pic.twitter.com/V89CNGlJLz

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

Finding starters in spring

Kevin Sumlin on what he wants to accomplish in spring practice: “We’d like to come out of this spring with a good idea of who our starting football team is.” pic.twitter.com/1SM0dLBZxO

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

Keyshawn Johnson Jr.'s status

Kevin Sumlin declined to comment on the status of Nebraska transfer Keyshawn Johnson Jr. Sumlin also added what goes through his mind during first practice: pic.twitter.com/udjflfIK2J

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

"Clean slate"

Kevin Sumlin says he won’t watch any of Khalil Tate’s tape from last season. He wants every player to have a “clean slate” during spring practice. pic.twitter.com/kBUKsjjW29

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

Process of hiring assistant coaches

Kevin Sumlin on the process of filling his coaching staff and what he looked for in his assistant coaches: pic.twitter.com/Czb2X04kLf

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018

Chuck "The legend" Cecil

Kevin Sumlin on keeping Chuck Cecil on Arizona’s staff: “He’s a legend. Guys can talk to him about what life is really about.” pic.twitter.com/6I8pjSkJNY

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2018