Arizona football held its media-day event Sunday, and it was the first time incoming freshmen and newcomers were made available to reporters.
Throughout the week, Star reporters Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt will bring you a Q&A with a different newcomer.
Todayβs subject: Glendale CC transferΒ Shawn Poindexter, a tall receiver trying to help fill a void vacated by big receivers Cayleb Jones and David Richards.
BIO BASICS:
- Height/weight: 6-5, 210
- Position: Wide Receiver
- From: Peoria, ArizonaΒ
- Rating: Unrated
On the toughest adjustment to Arizona: "The tempo is faster than anything Iβve ever been a part of. Playing at the junior college level, thatβs way faster than high school, so I was thinking it cant get that much faster and then you get here and itβs way faster. The games are fast as well, but coach Rich Rod does a good job of making practice fast that way the games donβt feel so fast."
On Arizona's need for height at receiver: "They said they needed some height. With Cayleb being gone they wanted to get some height on the field. Everybody works hard, but I would say just my size, and I have pretty good leaping ability, but everybody is solid all around."
On Arizona's senior receivers helping him:Β "Itβs really good. Trey (Griffey)βs been nothing but helpful. Heβll come to the meeting room, going over the offense with me, just trying to get me ready for the season. Nate (Phillips), if I have a question during practice, I can just go up and ask him and heβll give me the rundown, and Samajie (Grant) as well.
On his recruitment: "I verbally committed to Marshall, and I felt a lot of pressure the week before signing day because I had to sign that Wednesday. A lot of people said 'if you donβt sign you could go offer-less at the end of the day, and I called my recruiting coach after my visit at Marshall. I didn't feel like it was the place for me, but all the pressure was coming in so I just said I would verbal to Marshall so worst comes to worst, I have somewhere to go. RichRod called me the next day, and I said βyeah, thatβs what Iβm looking for.β So it was awesome."
On what happened between high school and now: "I was a non-qualifier out of high school, and I didnβt want to go the JUCO route so I decided to just play volleyball, and that didnβt work out for me. I got signed to California Baptist University (but never played there). It was cool but it wasnβt everything I expected it to be."
On the transition from volleyball back to football: "It was a tough switch but it was something manageable. Not playing football for two years and then strapping on the pads and trying to be comfortable. Especially only playing one year of football in high school, it was different, but it was manageable."Β
