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.
This morning's subject: freshman Tristan Cooper, one of a handful of defensive newcomers who have made a strong first impression.
BIO BASICS:
- Height/weight: 6-1, 180
- Position: Safety
- From: El Paso, Texas
- Rating: 2 stars (Scout.com)
TRISTAN SAYS:
On how he ended up at Arizona: “Through the recruitment process, I had Big 12, Big Ten (interest). The thing about Arizona was, it was a great conference; it was close to home; and then, I played in the hot weather my whole life. I lived in El Paso my whole life. Being able to see my family, having them be able to come to the games, to be able support me. It kind of all added up.”
On shifting from receiver to safety in high school: “By my junior year, I didn’t want to play offense at all. I just knew the mentality of a defensive player. I hope all defensive players’ mentality is just to go and lay the boom on somebody.”
On working with UA safeties coach Jahmile Addae: “When I first got here, it was very hard to catch on. Everything is fast-paced. In high school, you just go and play. In college, you need to know the plays, the formations, the audibles. Having him spend a little extra time with me to get the plays down and all that, it helped tremendously. The first week, it would go in one ear and out the other. It was very hard.”
On Addae demanding discipline from his players: “If you look at him when we practice, he’s never smiling – unless we get a pick or a pass breakup. Even if you’re doing good, usually he ain’t smiling. He expects a lot, and I like that about him.”
On making it out of El Paso: “I think that’s everybody’s goal, to get out of their hometown, to be able to represent for their hometown – and be able to come back to their hometown and show the people. I lived in El Paso my whole life. I didn’t want to be there for the next four years. I wanted to be able to travel and live somewhere else.”
