The Arizona Wildcats put a bow on their second week of spring football practices on Saturday at Arizona Stadium.
Here are notes and takeaways from a sunny Saturday morning at Arizona Stadium:Β
* Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said on Thursday that the Wildcats are going to start working on "the kicking game." Arizona had a period in practice dedicated to field goal, which will have a new long snapper and holder with Seth MacKellar and punter Kyle Ostendorp graduating. Redshirt sophomore punter Jordan Forbes was the holder while redshirt junior Kameron Hawkins snapped. Kicker Tyler Loop had rare misses inside 40 yards. Loop missed his second 36-yard field goal on the left hash mark, then missed on the right hash mark from the same distance.
* In the first team period, Arizona deployed a starting defensive line of San Jose State transfer edge rusher Tre Smith, redshirt sophomore Isaiah Johnson, senior Bill Norton and junior Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei.
* Redshirt junior tight end Roberto Miranda is having a strong spring as a pass-catcher. Miranda was mostly used as a run-blocker last season, but has emerged as a reliable pass-catcher. Miranda, a Berlin, Germany native, and junior Keyan Burnett have been used in two-tight end packages this spring. Miranda, nicknamed "Das Gronk" by contingent of media members at practices, opened the first team period with a touchdown pass from quarterback Noah Fifita.
* Arizona's defense had a productive day. Norton and linebacker Jacob Manu combined for a TFL. Uiagalelei and Smith recorded sacks. Johnson and Norton combined for a TFL. Second-year safety Gavin Hunter blitzed and recorded a sack. Manu and linebacker Taye Brown blitzed and combined for a sack. Defensive back and special teams standout DJ Warnell had multiple pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Warnell had arguably the best practice among Arizona defensive players. Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, who is competing for a starting cornerback spot with Emmanuel Karnley, had an up-and-down practice. Celestine had an interception in one-on-one drills, then got separated from receiver Jackson Holman on the following rep. Sophomore Genesis Smith, who's receiving reps at "Star" or nickel back, ended the practice with an interception.Β
* Arizona safety Dalton Johnson led the team in forced fumbles last season, and he's among the leaders in pass breakups in spring ball, too. Johnson had a pass breakup covering Miranda on Saturday, the practice after he ripped the ball away from Burnett. Johnson also had a TFL on Saturday.Β
* Players sidelined include left tackle Raymond Pulido, Burnett and tight end Tyler Powell.
* Former Arizona quarterback Gunner Cruz was in attendance for Saturday's practice. Cruz was the starting quarterback for the Wildcats in 2021, then became a backup in '22 before he was a graduate assistant last season. Cruz is currently training in Georgia to become a secret-service agent.Β Β
