Watch: 14 best things Colin Schooler, Marcel Yates said after Arizona's spring practice

Colin Schooler looks to be vocal leader for Arizona's defensive unit

Arizona continued its spring practice with another evening session on Tuesday.

The Wildcats finished last season No. 92 in total defense in FBS by allowing 432 yards per game. Sophomore linebackers Colin Schooler and Tony Fields combined for 208 tackles and 25.5 tackles for loss to lead the Wildcats in 2018.

As juniors this season, Schooler and Fields will work under former safeties coach John Rushing while defensive coordinator Marcel Yates looks over Rushing's former position group. 

Arizona will look to fill in some gaps in the starting lineup after losing defensive tackles PJ Johnson and Dereck Boles, and safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. 

Yates and Schooler met with the media following Tuesday's spring practice, here's what they had to say. 

Linebackers show backbone for defense

Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates says the linebacker group is the strongest position on defense for UA. pic.twitter.com/bFflbc0ncj

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

First impressions of the new indoor facility

Colin Schooler says Arizona’s new indoor facility is “breathtaking.” pic.twitter.com/KIfeUkqj4K

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Arizona searching for leadership on the road

Marcel Yates says leadership and consistency is the biggest goal for Arizona heading into the 2019 season, particularly on the road. “We lost four road games and three of them weren’t even close. ... We were a totally different team on the road.” pic.twitter.com/gz533N7bxF

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

The ASU loss and Schooler's sickness

Arizona LB Colin Schooler on the Cats falling to ASU in the Territorial Cup: “We lost that game. They did not win that game.”Schooler also talks about his flu from that week.“I lost about 12 pounds in 3 days. Between Friday and Saturday, I had about 4 liters of IVs in me.” pic.twitter.com/t90M2s1NhF

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) March 20, 2019

Colin Schooler's goals for 2019

Arizona LB Colin Schooler says he’s focused on being a vocal leader for the Wildcats in 2019. pic.twitter.com/622uG7rvYS

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Yates flip-flopping with Rushing

Marcel Yates on switching roles with John Rushing: “It’s a better fit for both of us.” Yates will now coach safeties while Rushing will work with the linebackers. pic.twitter.com/FB7HyrIUST

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Kylan Wilborn's 2018 season

Marcel Yates on Kylan Wilborn’s down season as a sophomore in 2018: pic.twitter.com/yfev59t1V7

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Moving freshman Maurice Gaines to safety

Marcel Yates on Maurice Gaines moving from cornerback to safety: pic.twitter.com/qxsMmtMM0D

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Training defensive backs all positions in secondary for depth

Marcel Yates on the benefit of cross-training defensive backs: pic.twitter.com/ynYpJ7u9BH

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Two players that have made the biggest jump for 2019

Colin Schooler says defensive end JB Brown and wide receiver Devaughn Cooper have made strides heading into 2019. pic.twitter.com/fb0Zg0mh3l

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Myles Tapusoa expected to fill gap at defensive tackle

Marcel Yates on the addition of JuCo defensive tackle Myles Tapusoa: pic.twitter.com/VvRzbtHWjb

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Day Day Coleman switching from safety to linebacker

Colin Schooler on Day Day Coleman switching from safety to linebacker: pic.twitter.com/l71tfDKmve

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Road woes

Colin Schooler on leadership during road games last season: pic.twitter.com/MLV4Szeqi3

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019

Senior Jace Whittaker back for another year

Colin Schooler on cornerback Jace Whittaker returning for his last year: pic.twitter.com/XWWkJysDwJ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 20, 2019