Brenden Schooler transferred to Arizona to play with his younger brother, Colin. They lost the opportunity to team up this fall when the Pac-12 postponed sports until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve decided to pursue other options.
The Schooler brothers announced Wednesday that they’re entering their names into the NCAA transfer portal. Both are graduate transfers who’d be eligible to play immediately. Both said they hoped to land at schools that are still planning to play this fall. While the Pac-12 and Big Ten have decided to nix fall sports, the ACC, Big 12 and SEC are moving forward with modified football seasons for the time being.
Colin Schooler started most of the past three seasons at “Mike” linebacker, compiling 312 tackles, including 46 for losses, plus 11 passes defensed and four interceptions. He was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, when he had 95 tackles and 13.5 TFLs, and upped those totals to 119 and 21.5, respectively, as a sophomore in 2018.
Schooler is the second starting inside linebacker to leave Arizona this summer. Last month, classmate Tony Fields II also entered the portal. Fields transferred to West Virginia, which plays in the Big 12.
“My time as a Wildcats has been an honor, and I have had some of the best moments of my life in Tucson,” Colin Schooler wrote in a tweet. "I have had the honor of working and playing with some amazing people. …
“With uncertain times and the Pac-12 not participating with fall sports this year, I have decided to enter the transfer portal and open up my recruiting to conferences who are playing this fall.”
Dear Tucson: pic.twitter.com/NkXpP1JByB
— Colin Schooler (@SchoolerColin) August 20, 2020
Brenden Schooler spent the previous four seasons at Oregon, where he began his career as a safety before moving to receiver. Schooler missed most of last season because of a foot injury. He caught 43 passes for 521 yards and four touchdowns as a Duck. He accumulated 74 tackles and four interceptions as a freshman.
“I would like to thank the University of Arizona for taking me in and treating me like family,” tweeted Brenden Schooler, who enrolled in January. “For the short time I was here, I … created friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
“But due to the shutdown of the Pac-12 for COVID-related circumstances, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal and open up my recruiting process to conferences who are still planning on playing this season.”
Farewell Arizona. pic.twitter.com/oNOAuIwItS
— Brenden Schooler (@SchoolerBrenden) August 20, 2020
The Schoolers’ father, Tom, has expressed frustration with the Pac-12’s decision.
“My kids want to play,” Tom Schooler recently told the Star. “I want them to play. They are willing to make that choice with all the information that has been gathered.”
If the Schooler brothers land at a school or schools that play in the ACC, Big 12, SEC or other leagues that still are planning to play, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll get on the field this fall. Although several conferences are moving forward, the season still could get shut down, especially with outbreaks already prompting universities to shift to online classes.
But by leaving now, the Schooler brothers at least will have a chance to play this fall and boost their stock for the 2021 NFL draft – something they wouldn’t have been able to do at Arizona. The Pac-12 is considering a winter/spring season, but that could interfere with draft preparations for NFL hopefuls.
The departures of Fields and Colin Schooler leave a gaping hole in the middle of Arizona’s defense whenever the Wildcats are able to play again. They had combined for 70 starts, and neither had missed a game in three seasons. Fellow senior Anthony Pandy and young players will have to fill those spots.
Although Brenden Schooler was expected to play a leading role at outside receiver, Arizona has other options on the perimeter. Arizona returns its three leading receivers from 2019, and sophomores Boobie Curry and Jalen Johnson are in line for big boosts in playing time after showing promise as freshmen.
The extra fee you pay for a specialty license plate helps support charities and nonprofits.
Photos: Back-to-school in Tucson during the pandemic
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Maddy Jacobs, 7, middle, reaches for her remote learning tool kit from her teacher, Kris Green, as her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, watches during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Updated
Augusta Iranzi, center, attends his teachers online class while monitors Jasmine Phillip, left, and Nadifo Yusuf, watch students inside a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Lily Baser, 8, identifies herself for easy remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Krista Westmoreland, left, a third grade teacher, shows the remote learning tool kit of a student to Anna Ames, music teacher, during the "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Maya Brown, 9, rides in style for her remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Multiage teachers Kris Green left, and April Pollow greet and cheer on their students during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Maddy Jacobs, 7, left, waves to her teacher as she stands in the sunroof with her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, during a "Mustang Stampede" to pickup their remote learning tool kit at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
For the first day of school teachers at Manzanita Elementary School greeted their students during a "Mustang Stampede" and handed out remote learning tool kits on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Updated
Kim Boling, principal at Manzanita Elementary School, greets her students and parents with a mustang during the "Mustang Stampede" for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Updated
Yarani Martinez gives a monitor a thumbs up to inform the monitor that his online class is working after classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Updated
Alice Flores, right, watches as her grandson Jesus Silva is escorted to the cafeteria before classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Updated
Augusta Iranzi follows the directions on the floor while being escorted to a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
