When one of your defensive linemen has nearly as many pass breakups as your entire linebacking corps, that probably isn’t a good sign.
Such was the case for the 2016 Arizona Wildcats. Lineman Larry Tharpe Jr. had three pass breakups. The linebackers had four.
Being more disruptive in the pass game has been a point of emphasis for that unit this spring, and it’s a necessity for the defense to improve next season.
Although the scheme factored into it — the linebackers often were called upon to blitz to create pressure on the quarterback — four breakups just isn’t enough. Nor is one interception, the linebackers’ contribution to the Wildcats’ pick pool.
“We should have had more than what we had,” said Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who coached the linebackers last season. “The key is, you have to harp on it every day. We have been. We’ve been getting our hands on balls. I think they understand the defense better with it being the second year.”
That last point is a salient one: Several Wildcats have said they feel more comfortable in Year 2 under Yates, enabling them to play faster and with a greater sense of trust.
That alone might lead to more plays being made once the ball is in the air.
“It’s 10 times better than last year,” said redshirt junior Brandon Rutt, who had the linebackers’ lone interception. “We understand it a lot more. We’ve got guys who understand their roles, their jobs, other people’s roles and jobs.
“Last year, it’d be good if you had people who understood their role. Now we’ve got people understanding other people’s roles. It’s kind of come together more.”
Rutt has emerged as the veteran leader of the linebacking corps. The former walk-on from Basha High School in Chandler earned a spot in the rotation last season and led the team with three takeaways (one interception, two fumble recoveries).
Rutt attributed his success in that area to hustle (“it’s just running to the ball”) and anticipation (“knowing what your instincts are telling you and following it”). The hustle part shouldn’t be a problem for the rest of the group; it could take a while for the anticipation element to catch up.
None of the top candidates to team up with Rutt at the “Mike” spot or play alongside him at “Will” has played a down of college football.
Jacob Colacion, Gavin Robertson and Tony Fields II have had promising spring camps; two are redshirt freshmen, the other a true freshman.
Fields — whom Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez expects to contribute this season — at least will have 15 spring practices on his résumé when training camp begins in August. New arrivals Joshua Brown, Anthony Pandy, Colin Schooler and Kylan Wilborn will be starting from scratch.
It won’t take long for the new guys to understand what needs to be done.
“Coach Yates talks about it every day,” first-year linebackers coach Scott Boone said. “We’re stressing with our guys that the best defense is a takeaway — get us off the field as fast we can.”
Blue vs. White
Arizona’s scrimmage to wrap up spring practice Friday night comes with a twist: Players and staff members picked the teams.
The “draft” took place Tuesday. The seniors were divided into two groups. Along with coaches, they selected sides for “Team Blue” and “Team White.”
Matt Dudek (Arizona’s general manager/director of player personnel) and Billy Kirelawich (director of football operations) will coach Team Blue; Chris Singletary (director of recruiting) and Dusty Rutledge (director of high school relations/camps and clinics) will coach Team White.
“I made four of the off-field guys the de facto head coaches, so I’ll be able to criticize them roundly after every poor decision,” Rodriguez said with a smile.
Rodriguez has done something like this once before and likes the idea of creating a combative atmosphere.
“When you play more of a true game and have something at stake, the competitive juices start to flow,” he said.
It seems to be working.
“There’s been a lot of trash talking,” said receiver Shun Brown, who’s slated to play for Team White. “I’m ready to go. I’m excited to play.”
Khalil Tate will be the quarterback for Team White, and he’ll be joined in the backfield by Nick Wilson and Nathan Tilford. Brandon Dawkins will quarterback Team Blue, and J.J. Taylor and Zach Green will be his running backs.
The coaches will manage the veteran players’ snaps during the scrimmage. Rodriguez hopes to run about half a game’s worth of plays.
The scrimmage is free and open to the public. It begins at 6 p.m. at Arizona Stadium.
Extra points
- Rodriguez on senior guard Jacob Alsadek: “Jacob is not a big rah-rah guy, but he’s a natural leader just by the way he works.”
- Rodriguez wants to make sure the staff has a plan heading into prime recruiting season. Ending spring ball Friday gives the coaches extra time to prepare. Head coaches can’t go on the road to recruit in spring, so Rodriguez will meet with every player currently on the team during that time. Rodriguez said he and the coaching staff will be involved in summer camps in California and Texas (in addition to Tucson).
- Former Arizona receiver and tight end Terrence Miller isn’t officially part of the Wildcats’ support staff yet. He needs to do some academic work this summer. If all goes well, he’ll be the Wildcats’ offensive graduate assistant this fall.
- Rodriguez, who’s president of the American Football Coaches Association, said he’s hopeful the proposal to add a 10th full-time assistant coach will pass, but isn’t sure it’ll go into effect in 2017. The NCAA Division I Council will vote on that proposal and others during its April 12-14 meeting.
