Watch: 8 best things Lucas Havrisik, Jeremy Springer said after Arizona's preseason practice

UA special teams unit looks to thrive under Springer's second season with the Wildcats

Arizona's special teams unit didn't finish the 2018 season the way it had hoped for after missing a potential game-winning field goal against rival ASU, albeit the Wildcats allowed the Sun Devils to overcome a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter. 

The UA ended the season 5-7 and didn't appear in a bowl game, but the Wildcats look to move on to greener pastures in 2019. 

Kicker Lucas Havrisik has a strong chance to start at kicker for Arizona after making 6 of 11 field goals in 2018. Havrisik — known for his leg strength — went 1 for 2 in field goals longer than 50 yards, which was a 55-yarder against Colorado. His longest at Arizona was a 57-yard field goal in a win over Washington State in 2017. Havrisik was replaced by Josh Pollack mid-way through the season in October and focused on lengthy field goals and kickoffs. The Wildcats retain walk-on Cameron Weinberg, who's also listed as a punter, and add Nathan Halsell. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said there is a competition for the starting kicker role. 

Punting will come down to either redshirt senior Matt Aragon, Weinberg or freshman Kyle Ostendorp from Phoenix.

Springer provided the latest updates with the punting battle along with other pertinent notes following Tuesday's practice. Havrisik also spoke to the media, here's what they had to say. 

Matt Aragon's development

Arizona special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer says punter Matt Aragon’s development has been “0 to 100.”“He has so much upside and I think he finally realized that.”Aragon will be a redshirt senior this season. pic.twitter.com/2yUlxbrLFL

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Havrisik's state of mind and progress

Jeremy Springer on kicker Lucas Havrisik’s mental state after an up-and-down 2018 season: pic.twitter.com/WADhTYEh5y

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Working with kicking coach Chris Sailer

Arizona kicker Lucas Havrisik says he helped out with the @Chris_Sailer camp this offseason. pic.twitter.com/Z6wPNrXVaO

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Addition of former NFL RB DeMarco Murray to Arizona's coaching staff

Jeremy Springer says adding DeMarco Murray to Arizona’s coaching staff is “big-time.” pic.twitter.com/j5Iwqd9x5G

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Freshmen standouts on kickoff coverage

Jeremy Springer says Arizona hasn’t worked too much with coverage, but freshmen Jaxen Turner, Derrion Clark, Eddie Siamau and Jalen Johnson have stood out so far. pic.twitter.com/vd1N9QgkPk

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

A forgetful 2018 season

Arizona kicker Lucas Havrisik on his 2018 campaign: “It was an unlucky season. A lot of things didn’t go my way.” pic.twitter.com/DQNPTrS7XV

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Havrisik's selection for freshmen standouts

Lucas Havrisik on the freshmen that have stood out to him during preseason camp: pic.twitter.com/tBK3gq6Gtj

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019

Going viral

Arizona kicker @Lucash_03 on the viral video of him juking two long snappers in “beat the vice:” “They deserve it because they were talking smack.” pic.twitter.com/EuiR6Qm79E

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) July 31, 2019